Having had catholicism rammed down my throat since birth (catholic pre-school through jesuit college), I was relieved to finally be free from it and to be able to think and ponder for myself. Religious private schools don't really condone being a free-thinker or questioning beliefs, and I really wanted that over-priced education. Anyways, as rational beings, it is only right that we expect rational proof of something's existence. Nothing ever proved to me that god exists, and therefore I don't believe he does. I think the real turning point (because I had always been a little suspicious throughout my years) that brought me to (agnostic) atheism was the realization that I was only catholic because my parents were catholic. If I were born in India, I would be hindu. If I were born in Tibet, I would be bhuddist. Saudi Arabia, muslim...and so forth. I wanted to explore many religions. I wanted to see what the rest of the world had to say about this god character.
A few years ago, at my request, I was excommunicated from the catholic church. I have since read many books on (not holy books...academic books) other religions such as islam and bhuddism. I have even taken an academic approach to catholicism (it's interesting learning the history of the catholic church). But nothing interests me more than books written by atheists or scientists. Authors like Harris, Hitchens, Dawkins, Onfray, and Grayling reinforce what I already hold true -- In my mind, there is without a doubt, no god. I am not the type of atheist that will pick a fight with a christian or denounce your faith just because I don't believe it. No, instead I like to have deep discussion about religion and the origins of humans and the earth.
Will I be persuaded back to religion? Maybe someday (though I doubt it). Do I think I'm going to hell because I denounce god(s)? No Do I hate christians? Nope, my fiancée is a christian and her family is very religious. They accept me and I accept them.
