The path to my atheism has been a somewhat long one. But, I won't go into it too much for the first post.

I was born into a Christian family like most children in the United States. I was exposed to the bible (presented as truth, of course). I even had children's books telling the major stories of the bible, such as the flood and exodus and Jonah. Even so, I had never prayed the acceptance pray (don't know what it's actually called).
I remember one day when my dad and I were driving home from a Men's Fellowship church group. He was obviously distressed due to my long-running non-acceptance. He told me all the things a Christian parent would tell a child. Though, I won't get into that as most of you probably already know what that is like.

After awhile, they (the parents, that is) just sort of gave up. By the time I was a teen, they rarely talked to me about god and angels and Jesus. It was funny though; I thought of myself as Christian and people saw me as Christian, but I wasn't. I wouldn't admit to myself that I was faithless until about age 13(-ish?).

I'm 17 now. I don't believe in any deity whatsoever. I am devoting much of my time to studies, reading, writing and gaming and the occasional "love-making" with the girlfriend (nothing heavy, or extreme, I assure you). The girlfriend is religious, but she knows I'm atheist and respects that and we've been together for a few years. If only more people would be as tolerant. None of my time is devoted to religious worship. I am happy without religion.

It's odd: looking back to my religious days, I remember that I was very confused and uncertain. I didn't understand many things and was afraid to find the answers to some things. Once I got rid of religion, it all sort of fell into place, so to speak. There are still many un-answered questions that pester me. But knowing that there are answers to those questions has been much more beneficial to myself than just believing that god can answer everything.

Cheers!