Abandoning religion doesn't just mean turning your back on God. You're potentially losing your closest family members, friends, home, lifestyle, and your own sense of identity. It's kind of like a breakup except it's with yourself, and afterwards you're reborn as someone completely new. It's an existential journey in every sense. We spoke to three people about this process. Both what lead them to this point, and what happened afterwards.
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Trishy, 48
Ex-Jehovah's Witness
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At my parties you walk through the door and lose yourself—I guess that's why I throw myself in there, to block out the past, because it hurts to remember. These days I accept every walk of life. Sure I have a few haters, but my life is about bringing people together. I think that religion gave me a strong moral code. It keeps me grounded and sends me home around sunrise.
Adam, 26
Formally Jewish
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I started having doubts about religion very young by I never admitted to my atheist beliefs, until I was 16 and my actions started reflecting them. I partied, ate what I wanted, and hung out with girls. It was hard to hide my actions, even though I kept a kippah in my pocket walking down the street, but rebelling caused turmoil in my family. Honestly though, my drug problems caused bigger family fights than my atheism.Now I'm 26 and I have no sense of deep fulfilment. I have things that I like: books, TV, laptop, porn, cigarettes, cameras, and whatever… but I have nothing that fulfills me. I'm looking for an ideology but I don't believe in religion, so what the fuck is there? In a sense there is no benefit to atheism. I would have been happier believing there was a purpose in the world, there was justice, and that I'll one day see my grandmother in heaven and Hitler won't be there.The one thing I miss about Judaism is there's no emphasis on the superficial. I know so many rich Jewish people who live in shabby houses. They think it's wrong to flaunt wealth. Whereas the modern world is about showing everything you have—a good ass, a good car, jewellery.