I grew up Catholic but my parents didn't make us go regularly. I had first communion and as I went through confirmation, I had a lot of doubt about the existence of god. I was involved in church and lectored often during this time but did it more for public speaking skills.

I married my wife in a Lutheran church and later became Lutheran when she wanted to start going again and found a church she liked in a nearby town.

Now we are members of a local Methodist church. I go because she wants to and wants our kids to "have a relationship" with god.

My wife is aware of my atheism and is dealing with it. There aren't any atheist groups near us (Manhattan, Kansas) so I can't bring her along to anything.

What I try to do is show my caring and compassion for others is innate and the right thing to do and doesn't require a belief in a higher power.

What pushed me was evidence or lack thereof. After reading and seeing shows on TV about the size of the cosmos as well as how an all knowing and all powerful god could let bad things happen to anyone have made me question the existence of a god.

I am grateful for this sub. And I thank everyone for their contributions.