I can't say enough good things about the experience of letting go of religion and becoming an atheist. I have become so much more hopeful and happy because of it! I don't have to worry any longer about anybody thinking that I am a dirty, worthless sinner!

I grew up in rural eastern North Carolina. When I was "saved" at the age of 13, our preacher came to our house to witness to me. I had already been going to church my whole life but this age was about the time that kids in the church were expected to become members of the church. I just remember saying "yes" to everything just so I could get it over with as quickly as possible.

Then I was told that on Sunday I should go up to the altar after service so it could be announced by the pastor that I was joining the church, had been "saved" and would be baptized. Being a very shy kid, I wasn't thrilled about this, nor was I thrilled about how everybody came up to shake hands with me afterwards. But I did it because that's what you are supposed to do.

Around 13, I also realized that I was gay. This didn't fit in very well with all the church's teachings. For anyone who realized they were gay at a young age and were in a Christian family, you know what it's like to sit in church while the pastor attacks "hom'sexuals" as horrible sinners that will burn in everlasting hell and know that he is talking about YOU!!!

But can I say now that I am so glad that I'm gay? My homosexuality is the part of me that made me question: "Wait a minute. Being gay is a terrible sin. But I've been like this as long as I can remember. So how can that be?" All it takes is a little seed to start questioning and then Christianity falls completely apart.

Because of being a part of the church, my teen years were awful times, filled with , secrecy, guilt and self-loathing. In fact, once I reached my early twenties, I left North Carolina altogether. (By the way, I love my home state--but at that time I just didn't think there was anything there for me as a gay man or in my chosen profession)

I stopped going to church once I left North Carolina and now the only time I go is at Christmas with my family. But that's okay, the Christmas Eve service doesn't have a sermon, just pretty Christmas songs! My mother is a devout Christian but an awesome lady so I try to make her happy--after all, she was indoctrinated into Christianity even more forcefully than I was so I have sympathy for her!

I feel like my story probably isn't that interesting, but what I really want to say is to that kid who is RIGHT NOW having the same doubts I had--there are other options. No one controls your mind. Your decisions are yours to make because YOU have to live with them. Not your church. Not your parents. Not your friends. You!

Don't let anyone tell you what to believe. Even though I have a lot of years ahead of me, I still resent all the guilt and loss of self-esteem that was the result of being a Christian for the 10-15 years before I saw the church for the sham it is. The fact that I put myself through all that for some fairy tale irritates me to no end even to this day.

Since becoming an atheist, I appreciate life for what it is now. We have a limited time on earth so I want to enjoy it, accomplish great things and surround myself with people I love. No longer do I feel like I am just waiting around for the apocalypse.

It does suck that there is so much prejudice against atheists and so many other minorities these days, but embracing a lie won't make you change and it certainly won't make you happy. Trust me, I know!

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