# Hello! **URL:** \ **Category:** Introduce Yourself\ **Created:** [January 21, 2016, 7:16pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/hello/4730 "2016-01-21T19:16:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![blackorwat](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/blackorwat/32/106_2.png) [@blackorwat](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/blackorwat)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 7:16pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/hello/4730/1 "2016-01-21T19:16:03Z")
Hey everyone, my name is Richard. I was a Christian all my life (20+ years) until recently, when I had to abandon the faith. Believe it or not, it is possible to be reasoned out of something you were not reasoned into. Not only was I a Christian (of a controversial cult-like group called The Local Church), but I went to a bible school for two years, read the bible around 10 times from cover to cover, read volumes of commentary on the bible, and until recently volunteered in a number of areas at my local church. Well after reading some books on career related matters, I eventually had an interest to read about psychology and other scientific areas. Eventually, I came to the point to try my best to question my faith with minimal bias. Well the results turned out to be great. After reading a number of science related books as well as critical books on Christianity I found my way out! Now I am a member of The Clergy Project, a Point of Inquiry fan, part of my local skeptics group, and am awaiting my first issue of The Skeptical Inquirer. I love skepticism and critical thinking. I have a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, so perhaps the scientific background that I got there is what has helped me along the way. I was not just a believer in Christian theology, but also some alternative medicine techniques and paranormal/supernatural claims. A lot of this is new for me, and it is nice to have my mind freed of many irrational beliefs and able to live a more fulfilling life as a result. I’ll probably have some posts soon in other forums and I look forward to interacting with you all! ---
**Author:** ![vyazma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d9b06d/32.png) [@vyazma](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/vyazma)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 8:37pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/hello/4730/2 "2016-01-21T20:37:26Z")
What’s up? How ya doin? ---
**Author:** ![timb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3e96dc/32.png) [@timb](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/timb)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 8:50pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/hello/4730/3 "2016-01-21T20:50:50Z")
Man, I hope that you do contribute. It can be intimidating, I think, for many, to do so. It seems to me that there are a lot of folks who could be good contributors, who introduce themselves, and then, we hear little or nothing else from them. ---
**Author:** ![blackorwat](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/blackorwat/32/106_2.png) [@blackorwat](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/blackorwat)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 8:54pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/hello/4730/4 "2016-01-21T20:54:46Z")
> Man, I hope that you do contribute. It can be intimidating, I think, for many, to do so. It seems to me that there are a lot of folks who could be good contributors, who introduce themselves, and then, we hear little or nothing else from them. Yes, I do plan on contributing. I hope to learn from you all and will post some questions soon.