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rurallib

(64,517 posts)
24. 12 years of Catholic schools and parents that purported to be very religious
Wed Sep 24, 2025, 09:56 AM
Sep 2025

but were very hypocritical in their behavior. Drinking, partying, swearing and running around - their behavior and that of the priests had me questioning by the age of 12. Molested by a priest at age 14.

Some to whom I have told my story seize on the molestation as the motive behind becoming atheist. it had only a little to do with it. The molestation only served as an example of how 'religious' used their religion to justify almost anything.

Like many, as I matured in high school the questions on the BS of religion caused me to question all they tried to sell me. I wasn't buying.

I tried some protestant religions but they were even more bullshit that Catholicism. Never really took a firm stand until my late 30s because I never really gave religion much thought until people tried to push their version on me and I had to take a position.

Had one person I had to work closely with for about 5 years who was very religious. I finally told him one day to leave his gawd at the door or we would have problems.

When our kids were young we had them go to Sunday schools for about two years. I fancy stopped that realizing that it was probably doing more harm than good. Had talks with them through high school and beyond where I told them I don't believe but you can do whatever you want. Told them they should at least learn about religion and its history because it was probably the biggest influence on humanity there ever was.

I have two brothers and their wives that seem to be pretty religious. I avoid talking religion with them because I am afraid they would go bonkers if I said I was atheist.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Raised Jewish by agnostic parents. no_hypocrisy Sep 2025 #1
Robert Oppenheimer, as you may know, was in the ethical culture movement as a child. NNadir Sep 2025 #2
Religious upbringing trueblueinmo Sep 2025 #3
Raised catholic got wise Faux pas Sep 2025 #4
Agnostic here.... anciano Sep 2025 #5
I decided years ago SCantiGOP Sep 2025 #22
I appreciate you taking the time to respond... anciano Sep 2025 #23
Fundamental markie Sep 2025 #6
attended baptist church as a kid, didnt pay much attention to the religion part tho nt msongs Sep 2025 #7
Not religious at all - just moral Nigrum Cattus Sep 2025 #8
I was raised Universalist oberle Sep 2025 #9
I have 13 years of perfect attendance pins from my small, rural Methodist church. sinkingfeeling Sep 2025 #10
Very catholic with guilt a driving force Envirogal Sep 2025 #11
I did... GiqueCee Sep 2025 #12
My sig line in this post, from Max Born's Nobel Prize speech.. NNadir Sep 2025 #13
Ah, yes! GiqueCee Sep 2025 #14
It turns out that it's not from his Nobel Prize speech but is found in his autobiography. NNadir Sep 2025 #21
Priests and nuns were mean, especially to kids that needed some help. First grade I had my doubts. twodogsbarking Sep 2025 #15
My wife experienced that and concurs. NNadir Sep 2025 #20
Raised in a very liberal Southern Baptist church wysimdnwyg Sep 2025 #16
I never believed any of it mike_c Sep 2025 #17
I grew up in the Vancouver area of Canada. pandr32 Sep 2025 #18
Raised Catholic; was even an altar boy for a short time. SeattleVet Sep 2025 #19
12 years of Catholic schools and parents that purported to be very religious rurallib Sep 2025 #24
Southern Baptist GigiLeigh Sep 2025 #25
My oldest son nearly went insane from reading that book. NNadir Sep 2025 #27
Raised Catholic. Family still is. Went to Catholic school 12 years. Srkdqltr Sep 2025 #26
I was raised as an American Baptist (supposedly more liberal than Southern Baptist), we could dance and play cards.. wcmagumba Sep 2025 #28
It started with something my Mother said when I was 5 or 6 yo ... we attended a Southern Baptist church ... eppur_se_muova Sep 30 #29
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