Dang this thread blew up.
Originally Posted by
Alizerin 
I'll add that a rather annoying common misperception about Atheists is that we have had an event or event(s) in our life that shaped this belief. It's annoying because it consistantly comes up and isn't true. Nobody's pain is felt any more or less than a believer - in recovery especially.
Certain events in my life lead me to question my beliefs. When I got honest with myself about being gay it was off to the races. I questioned everything about me in an attempt to be honest with myself...and in doing so I questioned my religious beliefs. Everything regarding theology made less sense until I reached a point when I didn't believe at all.
Questioning my beliefs has been and will be the most important thing of my life. I'm proud of myself for challenging my perceptions and what I was force-fed to believe.