₦airaland Forum

If you identify as a freethinker, religious skeptic, atheist and other related ideas.

Please like this post, reply to it and identify yourself.

Hello here, this is my first time of posting.
I'm not an atheist, I don't even know the best label to give myself but I don't really believe in the Christian nor Muslim God. I see the Bible as a book filled with wisdom and inspiring metaphors but I don't agree with everything in it. I absorb so much wisdom from great minds that have lived and still living... I'm a skeptic too.
Well, enough of the introduction.

Ever since I became a freethinker 4 years ago, there is a particular aspect that keeps bothering me. As a Nigerian living in Nigeria, it has not been easy thriving in a country that has so much superstitious beliefs (that I don't really agree with). My mother (a strong Christian) tells me so much about diabolical things that she has seen that people experience. I've heard of so many stories of people who experience some sort of spiritual attack in Nigeria. Our Nollywood movies are filled so much with such stuffs and you know, our movies reflect our way of life. You can't move from one state to the other in Nigeria without hearing about some 'jujuic' practice.

But I've always been skeptical (even before I became a freethinker when I came of age though) about these beliefs. And when I became a freethinker and started reading books, I started finding some hidden meanings behind these superstitious beliefs. For example, I read a book that talked about people of the ages who used to consult those called the 'shamans' that were believed to have inner husbands or wives for advice and the author was tryna teach that if people of the ages could tap into the power within us, we should start connecting with the masculine and feminine that is within all of us.... There are so many other examples.

But books can't do everything! I come here at nairaland to get some wisdom from nairalanders here who are freethinkers but it's not enough. Christians who are so much devoted to their beliefs do not maintain such beliefs just by reading the Bible and meditating, they also gather in the 'midst of the brethren' to strengthen their beliefs. Same with every other religion. But I have no physical 'brethren' to share my views and thoughts with and it hasn't been easy because I'm surrounded with Christians and superstitious believing people. I struggle so much tryna grasp this concept of evil spirits and other superstitious beliefs like that (which is the main purpose of this post).

I'm not dismissing these beliefs completely. As I wrote before, I'm a skeptic. Besides I've heard a lot, I still go to church (I still live with my mum) and you know, we're so much affected by our environment and the things we constantly hear. Again, I'm very much aware that there are certain things that are beyond us that we can never understand. But I know so much that many needs to be enlightened about certain things they believe in...

So you as a freethinker (whether atheist, agnostic, pantheist, deist, humanist or even Christian or Muslim who don't agree with everything you are being taught or exposed to!), how do you manage living in a country where there are so much superstitious beliefs around? If you don't believe in these things at all, can you give me reasons or proofs why you believe they don't exist (I'll appreciate proofs by experience more than knowledge from books)? If you're a skeptic, can you tell me how you thrive here?

Again, in matters of attaining success, it hasn't been easy for me though and I've been doing some personal work on my self but living in the midst of Christians (I told you mum is a strong Christian!) has been very frustrating for me because many of them begin to give some impressions that there's a spiritual attack or some sh*t like that while I know all that are nonsense.

I've not been able to express myself better in this post (I still dey learn English) but hope you get my question/post.

I’m curious. Are you still a freethinker?

And how are you coping with the feelings of loneliness and isolation you talked about?

superhumanist:
The path of the righteous is difficult and lonely.

It is normal to feel loneliness when you are different or in the minority.

This is why group meetings or associations are important.

Are you still an atheist?

I’d like to hear more about your journey towards atheism

Seun:
Yes, I do feel lonely sometimes. Don't marry the person you want to spend your life with until he understands and fully accepts the new you.

The male to female ratio in the freethinker/atheist/humanist/agnostic/pantheist/deist community is very high, so you will find someone easily.

Are you still an atheist?

I’d like to hear your story

rinrin23:
This is a question that I'd like to pose to those nairalanders on a quest to enlightenment, those in search of the truth of our existence and purpose on earth, those who have and hold views contrary to popular belief.
Do you ever feel lonely?

I have come a long way in my quest for enlightenment and yet I know that I have only just scratched the surface. Four years ago I asked a few questions that lead me away from my religious beliefs, and "down the rabbit hole".

This is a journey that completely changed my life, exposed the weaknesses in the core of my reasoning and belief system. I have since gone from "Christian" to "Atheist" and to being in complete and utter awe of this great mystery that we live in. I always say that "I am searching " and this has opened my mind greatly to infinite possibilities. Sometimes I look back at my previous posts and comments on this platform and laugh at how far I've come.

What I have found is that regardless of the bond and connection I form with anyone else, there's a huge gaping void of loneliness I feel when I can't share my journey with them. I'll quote Carl Jung when he says "As a child I felt myself to be alone, and I am still because I know things and must hint at things that others know nothing of and for the most part do not want to know. Loneliness does not come from having no one about, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to oneself or from holding views which others find inadmissible ".

I don't always feel this way, but every now and then I look at the person I want to spend the rest of my life with and I feel a twinge of that deep seated loneliness. Does he know that I am searching? Yes. Does he understand what that truely means? No. Would I ever be able to share this incredible yet intimate part of my existence with him? I fear tremendously, No. Would I always have to tiptoe around these things, twist words so that I am understood, deflect questions he asks cos he might never understand? I fear tremendously, Yes.

It's been an emotional night for me as I contemplate these things. I'd like to know if anyone else is in my shoes, how do you handle it?

I’d like to hear more of your atheistic journey story.

Are you still an atheist?

johnydon22:
My journey have been weird or perhaps an incessant evolution that have seen my faiths and doubts dashed against cold hard truths of reality. I have questioned everything i know at every turn, i have been arrogant in my ignorance, condescending in my teachings, aggressive in my defense, unteachable in my debates - I was a young atheist, i just newly agreed or found out that i didn't believe in God.
Yes it was a lonely journey.

First i had lots of questions, when i asked people recoiled away from me, they feared to answer. My questions were daring and true, i yearned so hard for someone to bring forth answers that could satisfy this curiosity.

the world was changing right before my eyes and nobody else around me could see this change.

I lost awe in the faith of creation by "let there be light" it suddenly was not sufficient enough, it could not account for the depth and intricacies of the world around.

they must be more, they had to be more.

I'd throw subtle questions at Papa, Mama, Siblings, friends or anyone else that i could. ever careful to mask the full intent of my questions to avoid the possibility of an inevitable backlash.

"Why do you think God started to create the world?" I'd ask
"Do you really think humans are just clay sculptures given breath by God?"

"Don't question God, John" Papa would say with a glaring look that discouraged me from any further questions that danced on the edge of blasphemy.

It wasn't enough, there must be more to it than just this. But i was alone in my thoughts.

The courage of my questions were met with strict castigation. You are playing with fire young man.

I recoiled to my shell, spent more time alone. Prayed and read and for a moment i found a perfect blend between God and me, between my quest to know and my faith.

Gradually i began to see a different God. gradually God became more for me than just a divine wrath seeking undiluted retribution and piety. God became more than a divine authority ready to dose out punishment at will. God became more than a constant reminder of my vulnerabilities as a human. became more than an authority i had to appease at every turn for my constant transgressions. God became more than a cosmic need for incessant praise. I lost faith in the logic that suggests i had to apologize everyday just for being human. I made nonsense of the doctrine that thinks i was dragged into a test for no reason at all. I refused to be a living condemnation over a supposed transgression at the beginning of creation.

But no one else saw this God with me.

I tried to paint a picture of this God but i'd get a cold stare, a fearful snub or a threatening admonition.

I was in the middle of a crowd, in the middle of loved ones but i was alone. My mind was filled up and ran over, i pined to share, i was nearing my limit and i felt i'd burst any minute.

Nobody could hear me scream, they shushed and snubbed.

My questions became even bolder. Became even more daring and if you will more courageous.

I dared to question the existent of God himself.

My mind lacked substance for God might be or what God is. The role of God in the cosmos was lost to me. There was more to everything than this earth, the stage was too grand for us.

I was losing my mind as well as losing God - perhaps because people told me that i was.

I tried to hold on but i was slipping.

I found holes in almost every word the preacher says. I could give him ten reasons why i thought he was wrong for every time he implied to know the mind of God.

I argued with evangelists. challenged Jehovah witnesses - Got an angry or pitiful look in return each time.

My loneliness was slowly turning into a burning need to challenge the status quo. To reach into everyone's mind and challenge their beliefs. But a pinch of fear lingered on when i was in the middle of loved ones.

So even though great many others knew what i had turned into, even though i already carved out a reputation among preachers as 'That intelligent boy that the devil is using'

i couldn't bring myself to show my family just who i was. How could i ever bring out myself as the "tool of the devil" before their eyes.

A lost soul.
fallen from grace.

That would kill mama, papa would literally send me out.

So before them, my piety was intact. I said every decade of rosary with that loud doubt, every mystery represented a question i hoped they would listen to and answer.

My loneliness persisted.

Finding succor only on the internet that became a pronounced part of my world during these times. I was fascinated by friends that shared my thoughts, friends i never met before, friends without face or voice but they gave me a little hint that i was not alone..


I am ranting now maybe i should cut this short.... The journey is very long

Are you still an atheist/freethinker?

meobizy:
I have never seen any set of people more afraid of death than Christians. Una wan stay world forever? Una dey fear say heaven and hell no exist? I’m atheist and I made my peace with death long ago. When the exam comes, I will pass it. The only people in my books who deserved death were those over ninety-nine years of age. Humans younger were meant to experience old age first. Is that how life plays out? No. Do I have a problem with it? No.

I would like to learn about how you came to be an atheist.
How did you arrive at the conclusion that there is no such thing as God?

I want to connect with fellow freethinkers, and people who have questions about the nature of God’s existence. People who have studied a bit of evolutionary theory, cosmology, philosophy, science etc.
People who hold rationality, reason and thought in high esteem.

I wanna meet people like that.