1. Comment #58677 by chadcross on July 25, 2007 at 5:45 pm

wow. I am first. Heard this the other day on NPR. Love hearing conversion stories.

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2. Comment #58686 by Fire1974 on July 25, 2007 at 7:06 pm

I can remember feeling the same way when I began to shed faith. It was like breaking a bad habit. I knew it was all bullshit, but it took a while to come to grips with that. I suppose you have to start out mourning in a way, (as Lobdell apparently is). However, when I truly realized I was free to see the world for what it is, it was the best experience. I've thrown away that 'list of questions to ask God when I die' and become a dry-sponge for knowledge. I can't learn enough. I've gone back to school(premed) and I'm loving every molecule of it. It's amazing what you can do when your mind isn't occupied by needless superstition.

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3. Comment #58690 by Canuck#1 on July 25, 2007 at 7:29 pm

Amen and amen having come the same path...not an easy path but the end is so satisfying - like a new life... a rebirth (sorry reverting to my fundie days). To appreciate how far I have come visit me htt://canuck12.blog

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4. Comment #58783 by samratpathania on July 26, 2007 at 5:47 am

I think what he said at the end made a lot of sense.
The reason why a lot of people choose to believe is because it is comforting , one feels protected, a part of something.
However like Dawkins says just because it is comforting does not make it true.If people honestly questions their religious beliefs , ask the most difficult questions, then in all probability they would repelled by the hogwash that religion is.
Btw I have been watching Cosmos by Carl sagan http://www.carlsagan.com/ recently with my wife and she was surprised by the fact that there is so much about our universe that she does not know (she is a very well educated woman and an atheist).So much beauty that we are blinded to, so many magnificent facts that science has uncovered, things which truly would make us appreciate the life that we have and our ability to comprehend these facts.If only all people , from a young age could be exposed to these facts and given the gift of science.

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5. Comment #58838 by konquererz on July 26, 2007 at 11:10 am

What a wonderful story of de-conversion! Its amazing, for atheists who where first Christians, its the consumption of knowledge that leads us out of the darkness. I encourage all Christians to read the bible and study on their own, it only leads one place, to the entrance of the dark cave you are in!

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6. Comment #58916 by hasty toweling on July 26, 2007 at 4:53 pm

This dude seems to me to be a non-believer for somewhat bad reasons. Finding corruption in the religious institutions is pretty weak and easily blamed on people straying from the "true path" or whatever. That, combined with the fact that he seems to miss his belief, suggests that he'll be back with some other church before too long. When it happens he'll say "I used to be an atheist but..."

I don't understand how someone can so completely miss the simple, straightforward reasons for not believing. For example, a plethora of contradictory religions exist, and they're all equally impossible to justify.

I suppose if he wrote about religion for that long, and never thought along those lines, there's not a whole lot you can do.

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7. Comment #59065 by I'mNotAlone on July 27, 2007 at 6:27 am

If hasty toweling is correct (and I havent seen the full article) then Mr Lobdell is probably a theist.
However the most interesting thing about this is that full exposure to religious institutions and books has promoted a disillusionment with it all.
As has been said many times, the vast majority of western religious folk know next to nothing about their religion.
Knowledge seems to be the key to shrugging off the constraints of religion. That is why the fight about schools is so important, and why we have to try and help educate the rest of the world. Not about that 'God' doesnt exist. Just about how the world and the universe appear to work. And the methodology behind it. Then leave people to start asking their own questions.

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