I learned from science recently that a persons
brain doesn't form completely til age 26, so the training
(or schooling ) we get makes a greater impact. I have tried
through out my life to see fact and truth as a comfort.
Life itself changes ; we are better and happier with these
at our side as we go through life. I'm glad you found a place
(HERE, THE SITE) that helps us all learn more & grow.

In my community in The U.S. Italians and Catholics are usually the same thing. Gay, Atheist, murderer, rapist, they are all the same thing...

I was also raised Catholic and I started questioning the whole religion thing as soon as I could form a complete sentence. I did go through the process of confirmation, but only because my mom promised if I did she would never make me go to mass again. I may have left the church but that good ol Catholic guilt somehow never leaves lol.

The English word for Catholic School conducted usually on Saturday is called "catechism"
the word goes back to the religious education a place in Europe in the catacombs.

yes of course we're interested in your story, my family is Italian and Catholic, a real chance we all had to come out. please tell us more

It's good that you left the Catholic bs and began journey of enlightenment. I'm glad avoided that train wreck. I considered becoming Catholic before I left dark side. I wish had the courage to come out as Atheist and being gay as you.

I have learned that what looks good on paper, mainly the bible is bull!@#$ in real life.

I was raised a Roman Catholic as well and had to do all the same things: baptism, communion, confirmation, confession -- all that bullshit. I started to wise up in my mid-late teens and by the time I was old enough to drink, I had passed from believer, to agnostic, to atheist.

Welcome.

Former Catholic here. Glad to have you with us.

When you said, "...stopped going to the miss" I was going to ask, "So you 'converted to straight?" It would have hopefully been humorous. We're all friends here. Not a homophobic bone in my body, not even an atom. Most (all?) my girlfriends have been bi. Not unusual. Lesbian? Maybe a little, but no mystery to me! And yes I'd like to hear that story.
I was an altar boy. Catholic through my first year college. Agnostic at, oh, 16 or so, though I didn't know the term. Studied the Baltimore Catechism, graduated to the Aquarium Gospel of Jesus the Christ, all the New Age stuff, finally threw up my hands and gave up. A few years ago discovered 'Jesus' is pure myth...imagine my surprise! The shock! The horror!
Now like you I am pure agnostic, with educated to half-baked ideas and guesses floating around in my head. Life has never been more fun. The awesome mystery of it all is breathtaking. I don't even WANT to figure it all out.
Religious people don't know what they're missing.

I'm happy for you because you were brave enough to get out from the religious black hole. I was raised by my Catholic family and I was forced to follow all the steps to become a "good child of Jesucrist" but in my adulthood life I decided to express my non-belief to my religious family. I feel like the blue dote fighting with the universe. Hahaha

Welcome to asylum. Enjoy your stay.

Great story, and happy for you on your journey.

Myself, I call my belief, or more apt, non-belief, an Agnostic Atheist.
Atheist, because I in no way believe in any kind of supernatural deity, or what ever one wants to call it, and Agnostic, because I can't prove it one way or another.

But if I'm really being honest, I don't really use a "label" much. It's like trying to label a non- stamp collector something.
I simply don't believe.

Two of my favorite quotes on that:
"I don't want to believe, I want to know" ~ Carl Sagan.

"call it what you want, the only kind of "ist" I am, is a Scientist" ~ Neil DeGrasse Tyson.

Best wishes on your journey, may it be fruitful.

Well done on using your brain to think for yourself. Very best wishes from me, I hope you are allowed the freedom to follow your own path in life,

Do you still live in Italy? I have a condo in Baveno (Lago Maggiore), Piemonte. I am here about 3 months every spring. Leaving tomorrow for my other home in Tennessee.

I congratulate you on seeking evidence. It is good for a person to think for herself or himself.

Buona fortuna.

I didn't add the most important part... Anyway, since I didn't (and still don't) see any evidence of a higher entity's presence (or absence), it turned out I was agnostic, instead of atheist.