I’ve been an atheist since I first read the God is Dead excerpt from Nietzsche’s The Gay Science. For years, I teeter-tottered between theism and agnosticism, and similarly between whether or not I consider myself a hypocrite. I mean, after all, I did go to a Catholic High School, do readings at all of the masses, and accepted the Christian Leadership Graduating Award. At the time, I just considered the readings and the leadership roles practice. They were opportunities for me to get experience and do things that I enjoyed doing. It just so happened to be the case that they were “Christian” events. Should that have stopped me from participating? I almost want to go on a rant complaining that the only reason why there are no advocacy atheist groups is because atheism isn’t something that congregates its adherents … but I won’t.
I find it unfortunate sometimes that I was put into a situation where I felt pressure to keep my opinions to myself, and other times I realize that there are worse fates.
