"Every single one of my friends who went to [Catholic] school with me is now one of the biggest non-believers I know."

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"Or, at 'testimony meetings' every month. You’re supposed to speak from your heart about your belief to the congregation. Toddlers would be forced to go up, and their mothers would whisper in their ear what to say, and they would repeat it. I thought this was silly because obviously they’re not speaking their own words. I could go on…"

"It was a full-on, 100%, super conservative religious Christian summer camp that just happened to have fun stuff in between the ridiculous religious nonsense. Fun stuff like 'bands' coming in to sing religious smash hits like 'My Daddy Ain't a Monkey'. No. I'm not lying. That was the name of the song.

Thank God I was there with another guy whom my 'friends' convinced to attend camp with us. I eventually confronted them about their lie and they admitted that had done it because they knew I wasn't a believer and did it to 'save me.' I told them that I didn't care what their reasons were; if they were my friends, they wouldn't have lied. And if they believed so strongly about it, would they really lie?

I left camp bewildered and more than a little betrayed. As the years went on and I continued to see the complete lack of integrity and regard for honesty amongst religious people, I was still disappointed, but not surprised."

"When I was 12, my father pulled me aside and said, 'Son, you are old enough to decide about religion. I wanted to give you a chance to experience religion. If you want to keep going to Church, you can, but it's also OK if you don't want to go anymore.' I said, 'OK, I don't want to go anymore.' My father said, 'OK, me too.' And that was that."

We were not allowed to believe in Santa because that takes credit away from God. Santa was actually a hand of Satan trying to corrupt me.

We were not allowed to believe in the Easter Bunny because it was also a hand of Satan trying to corrupt me away from Jesus.

I wasn't allowed to feel pride in my accomplishments because it's a sin.

I was a dickhead because my dad got me fully vaccinated as a child, and that is against God's plan.

Hollywood is operated by Satan, so I wasn't allowed to watch movies or shows (especially Disney).

Harry Potter was an absolute no because witchcraft is an affront to God.

Scientists should not be trusted under any circumstances.

My rare genetic condition was part of God's plan, and I'd understand someday.

I was not allowed to say 'damn' because it's an affront to God.

That, combined with her regular abuse, has left me struggling a lot with my religiosity."

"I got chewed out for even questioning God, and the rest of the kids refused to talk to me the rest of the night, including my friend. You would think I had killed someone; it was THAT strong a reaction.

Also, my brother became a huge born-again Christian later on in life and tried to push his beliefs on us HARD. We got told we were going to hell, and my then-boyfriend (now husband) and I got chewed out for 'living in sin.'

I'm 34. Female. I don't go to church. I'm not religious. Married a guy who leans towards being an atheist."

Responses have been edited for length/clarity.