I Just Recently
Became An Atheist
Jess N. Bradley
From: "J. N. Bradley"
To: Positive Atheism <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: Re: "Cliff, are you alright?"
Date: Sunday, April 09, 2000 5:29 PM
Hello,
I am a 16 year old girl from Massachusetts, and I just recently became an atheist. I was raised Catholic, but left the church 3 years ago. Since then I had kind of been "borderline atheist", you know, just on the verge of realizing full atheism. I have been questioning things for a long time, and finally made up my mind.
Anyway, your website was one of the first atheist websites I found. Since then I've subscribed to your newsletter and I check your site frequently.
I just finished reading your e-mail that you just sent out. I just wanted to wish you good luck with everything that you're doing, and also wanted to let you know that I'll be thinking of you and how you're doing in regards to your health. My father has hepatitis C, and it has just recently gotten worse. I don't know much about the condition myself, but I do know that my father has had it for years due to a bad blood transfusion. Other members of my family are suffering from health problems too, so I know what's it like and how scary it can be.
As for me, I have no medical problems, but I do have social anxiety disorder. It has caused me to drop out of school and start home-schooling (which actually has turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made in terms of my education), and has also caused me to establish most of my friendships over the internet, where I feel much more confident in my ability to express myself. Unfortunately, there are no atheist groups anywhere near me. Who knows, maybe someday I'll start my own. And hopefully in a couple years I will have the courage to go off to college and hopefully meet some interesting people there.
Right now I mostly study on my own and I also write and record music in a little home studio I've managed to build.
I just wanted to let you know a little about myself, and also let you know that I really like your website. I especially enjoy the big list of quotes. I never realized so many famous people in our history were atheists, agnostics, or at least anti-organized religion.
Anyway, after reading your e-mail I just felt like I had to e-mail you.
I wish you the best of luck with your music and your health. If there's any way I can ever help you out with anything, like the site or mailings or just to talk, let me know.
Peace,
Jess N. Bradley
Material by Cliff Walker (including unsigned editorial commentary) is copyright ©1995-2006 by Cliff Walker. Each submission is copyrighted by its writer, who retains control of the work except that by submitting it to Positive Atheism, permission has been granted to use the material or an edited version: (1) on the Positive Atheism web site; (2) in Positive Atheism Magazine; (3) in subsequent works controlled by Cliff Walker or Positive Atheism Magazine (including published or posted compilations). Excerpts not exceeding 500 words are allowed provided the proper copyright notice is affixed. Other use requires permission; Positive Atheism will work to protect the rights of all who submit their writings to us.