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rurallib

(64,165 posts)
24. 12 years of Catholic schools and parents that purported to be very religious
Wed Sep 24, 2025, 10:56 AM
14 hrs ago

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

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