Aethiests that used to be religious - how did you loose your religion?

[JammySplodger]

Just wondering... how have any other aethiests that were brought up with a religion lost that religion?

I was brought up Catholic, went to Catholic school & 6th form, gradually doubted more and more of it but finally, definitely, with a big full stop after it, decided that there is no such thing as god during childbirth.

It was during the last half hour or so of 'aaargh I can't do this I'm going to die', when I just needed some reassurance (besides that from my lovely DH and great midwife) and comfort that it would be okay, opened up my mind and ... nothing. The one time in my life I'd actively reached out for some sort of presence/feeling and there was absolutely nothing. Decided once and for all it was all just down to me, and got on with giving birth to a lovely son.

It's not something I've ever really talked about, so am just wondering if anyone else has had any great 'moment of clarity' like that?

Actually the thing that has really put the tin lid on it for me is trying to explain the concept of god and Jesus to a child. It sounds so utterly senseless when you try and explain how some people believe god made the world and is their father even though he isn't actually their dad, nor even a man. He's there but you can't see him. Oh and he was also Jesus' daddy - and Jesus was a man but wasn't really etc etc...

I went through a very religious phase (Baptist church) in my teens, then re-discovered my actual religion (Judaism) during travels in Israel in my early twenties. I was quite spiritual/religious for a while, but it was my brother dying three years ago which put the final nail in the coffin of any remaining belief for me. Religious people I knew would say 'he's gone to a better place', and I would think what better place could there possibly be than here with his wife and family who love him more than anything? I am a firm atheist and have no doubts that there is no god.

So true wavingleaves. I remember a quote along the lines of 'that which children deem absurd and untrue, is absurd and untrue.' if there was a god I imagine it's religion would be very uncomplicated. Religions are all too much like pull lever a, turn knob b, and so on.

I was also trying to explain the concept of supernatural beings. DD: 'Are they like superheroes?'. Me: 'Er, yeah, pretty much...'