I am a formerly Amish atheist. Life can get a little lonely when there’s no other person that you know of that shares your background and your skepticism. This post is a shout-out to ex-Amish atheists everywhere. We need to get together, socialize, and support each other.
If you’re an ex-Amish atheist or agnostic, please comment on this page so we can get to know each other. I have also started a group on Atheist Nexus for people like us. Please come and join me;
X Amish Atheist 
Psalm 53:1 (NKJV)
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
To say there is no Creator of trees, flowers and animals is the same as saying there is no builder of houses, barns and airplanes. I don’t have to personally meet the builder of a house in order to believe there is a builder behind the structure. I see a city and I automaticly KNOW that someone build it. I see a butterfly in it’s beautiful array and I KNOW there is a Creator.
Surely you must suspect that Bible quotes aren’t all that convincing to me. As for the butterfly, I guess if you call evolution a “Creator” then I totally agree with you.
That’s pretty stupid Joe
Wow,you’re as smart as a 6 year old
how self absorbed are you? He asked for athiests. He’s ex amish. He has heard all of this bullshit before.
I actually fought with the same questions as you for a while on if their is a creator. however for many years people have been trying to prove evolution with research thru science and the more advanced the research gets the more evidence is uncovered (and this is scientific fact) that their is a much greater chance of their being a creation than evolution . when the very people trying to prove creation wrong ,are proving themselves wrong with their own research,what does that tell you. I don’t have all the answers as to if everything from the bible is from a one and only god but i can now say with full confidence that their is a creators so with that in mind it should make someone believe that we are only a small part of a master plan by someone with much greater power than us
Can you point me to the evolutionary research that contradicts evolution? I am utterly unaware of it.
I disagree that the odds favor a creator over evolution. Natural selection has essentially been proven – that part of evolutionary theory is not in question. The real question is, is abiogenesis real? In other words, is it possible for inorganic matter to naturally develop into the beginning of life in a manner that can, over millions of years, evolve into intelligent beings?
The theory that God made everything cannot be tested. Furthermore, the odds that there is a God, cannot be calculated.
To calculate the probability of an event, one divides the number of positive outcomes by the total number of possible outcomes. In this case, you might calculate the probability of God creating life as 1 divided by the total number of ways life can be created. This would be completely innacurate. This sort of probability calculation assumes that each possibility is equally likely. With incomplete information on only one planet on which life is known to exist, and with no proven examples of God being the creator, we have no hope of calculating the probability of God versus evolution as being the cause.
On the other hand, evolution is a natural process and God is supernatural and so the law of parsimony would favor evolution even if it was virtually guaranteed to not be the cause.
Im not trying to judge you for your believes just hope you have an open mind . most people that do not believe in creation are not doing so because they are just such evil people and are looking for an excuse to live an immorral life,most are actually intellectually intelligent people(professors,teachers ,writers )etc. reason for not believing in creationissmcreationissm creation is they say their is lack of proof
Sorry my last post was cut i was writing that most people that are atheists do not believe in creation because of lack of proof and it just seems to easy an answer ,they don’t want to except something they can’t understand usually because its in their dna so they spend a lot of time trying to prove their point . if you really have an open mind you should watch the documentory by Ben Stein called Expelled ,no intelligance allowed. science has proved that the chances that we have evolved over a million years is almost 0 .look im also not natured to to just except what I’ve been taught without evidence but i do believe in a creator and wwhile i have no idea if humans are just a very small part of a much bigger puzzle i do know that if you spend your entire life looking for answers trying to proove creation wrong you will live a very empty meaningless life,and if your theory prooves wrong where will that leave you in the afterlife .
Trut me, I did at one point examine the evidence for creationism quite extensively and reached the conclusion that it is pseudoscience. Yes, I watched Ben Stein’s documentary and did not find it convincing. He just gives does a lot of emotionally-loaded talking and no presentation of scientific evidence.
I would like for you to explain how the fig tree and fig wasp just evolved seeing as the life of the fig wasp is only 48 hours long. If the fig wasp doesn’t pollinate the fig flower the fig tree will be no more! Take a look at Wikipedia for more information or Google Fig wasp! That is if you truly want to find the truth. If you want other points that prove evolution could never have created it aside from the fig tree.
Just read the Wikipedia article on “coevolution” for an explanation of how change in one species can cause related changes in another. That is, if you truly want to find the truth.
To believe in an almighty ghost is like believing in Superman
Fascinating blog! I just wanted to drop you a note of encouragement to keep writing. I’m not ex-Amish but I am ex-Mormon Atheist. I’ve had my own unique challenges with leaving that behind. I hope you are able to find other Ex-Amish because meeting with Ex-Mormon’s has helped me greatly….and it continues to get better with time. Writing my blog has also been therapeutic.
Funny comments above on creation and evolution. A blog like this will tend to attract religious nuts who claim lots of evidence and then fail to ever provide any. It’s mostly due to not understanding science or the theory of evolution or how you arrived at the conclusion you have.
Being ex-whatever is an advantage. Having been on that side and having actually used those arguments myself…you know the house and the butterfly… they are rendered completely and utterly ineffective.
Keep up the good blogging.
Hi dadsprimalscream and thanks for the encouragement!
I once saw a video on some atheist-oriented website that featured an ex-Mormon and his story of how he became an atheist. It was a while ago and I can’t find the video now. Anyway, it really inspired me and I just had to think of it when I read your comment. That would be so cool if it was you in that video.
I have no problem finding ex-Amish. The problem is, none of them are atheist. When they leave the Amish, they typically enter a more liberal Mennonite church. I guess I just skipped a couple of steps.
Having been there definitely has its advantages. It encourages me to be nice to religious people, to refrain from calling them “stupid”. It is so easy for me to dismiss them as stupid but then I catch myself and remember that only several years ago I was in their shoes, metaphorically speaking. Instead of dismissing them as stupid, it encourages me to try and develop arguments that would have convinced me back then.
That’s very interesting that ex-Amish tend to gravitate towards another religion. I actually knew a guy who grew up Mennonite and converted to Mormonism several years ago. Even though I was a believer at the time I thought it was odd. I can’t imagine what Mormonism had that the Mennonites didn’t…or I couldn’t figure out what was so wrong with Mennonites that Mormons got right. You know what I mean?
Ex-Mormons don’t tend to stick with religion like that . The vast majority of the former Mormons I’ve come to know turn their back on religion entirely. I wonder why the difference…
Christianity is very gradated when it comes to interpreting the Bible. As such, the Amish choose a very literal interpretation while the Mennonites choose a slightly more liberal interpretation. Those Amish that move to Mennonite aren’t actually changing religions – they’re just modifying their interpretation of the Bible a little and taking advantage of more material things such as cars and computers. This is nothing as momentous as leaving religion entirely. From the perspective of the Amish, there might still be a little hope for someone that goes Mennonite. Someone that goes atheist, however, is definitely going straight to hell – a place they have been taught to fear since birth.
The fact is it has been proven on many occasions but professors and and scientists do not allow the research teached or researched because it would be the end of science . as i said in above reply check out Ben Steins documentory on this. just in the research he’s done their have been quite a few professors that have been fired for exposing that thru scientific fact their is a much greater chance we were created rather than evolved . look it sounds like you kind of have a set mind but if you don’t ,why not devote a little time towards research where your trying to proove creation versus evolution,i believe you may surprised what kind of scientific evidence is out their . The truth is if we are created than it would illiminate the need for more research because it would mean theirs a much higher power than us out their ,theirfor we will never figure out everything
Promoting the “Expelled” film is not convincing because additional research after it was released showed that it was produced using fraudulent misrepresentations and bad science. Please go to the website “expelledexposed.com” for the complete story. You seem to be accepting misinformation as truth and don’t have strong language skills, so I encourage you to look at basic science articles on evolution (without a Creationist agenda) to learn how evolution really works and how science establishes it as the best explanation for the diversity of life. It is impossible for there to be any scientific evidence of a god or of a god creating anything, although creationists keep saying there is – it has been debunked.
I commend you for your faith. I am ex-amish and a blood bought born again believer in Jesus Christ. I have seen miracles, people healed from all kinds of sickness and diseases including cancer and diabetes. I have seen people raised from the dead. but I would have to admit that I don’t have enough faith to believe that the creation of this universe was an accident. Yes you must truly be a man of great faith.
The only faith I have is in that of reason. Everything else follows quite logically.
I just wanted to say hi. I’m not an ex-amish but have been fascinated and curious why some leave the amish community.
For a while now I’ve learned some things about the Amish. Their lifestyle etc. Then every now and then I’d come across documentaries about the ex-amish and their lifestyle today.
THEN this got me wondering, *I wonder if there are any ex-amish atheists.*
I thought the chances are low, did a google search and came across your posts in different sites.
I’m curious and would like to ask you a few questions if you don’t mind. đŸ™‚
As far as I know I’m the only ex-Amish atheist so yeah, the chances are low. I’m sure there are others but we keep such a low profile that we’re not even aware of each other’s existence. Sure you may ask me questions.
Trust me you are not the only one. My brother and I grew up old-order Amish, I’m agnostic and I’m pretty sure he identifies as athiest now. You’re right about low-profile though, even my brother and I rarely touch on the subject. I’m attempting to create a support/discussion forum for gay amish and ex-amish. Sexuality and relion a
Oops… Cut off. Sexuality and religion are the two hardest things for most people to be honest about. Good luck on the blog! Follow me on twitter @lgbtiamish
Check out the very interesting and well researched book, Sex at Dawn (http://www.sexatdawn.com/ or on Amazon.com). I would love to hear your comments on it. One of the issues that it deals with is the impact of the cognitive dissonance that seems to be so much a part of the experience of people around sexuality.
Actually, one of the other things sex and religion have in common is this: If it’s not the type you’re into, it just seems weird.
Thanks.
Okay but I’m a private person so is there a way I could send you a personal message?
I don’t really like the thought of people reading my messages here.
Yes, you may email me at xamishatheist[at]gmail.com. Replace [at] with @.
I came across this blog while mindlessly surfing the web and would like to comment as I also am a examish atheist and have memories of being punished as a child for reading Darwin’s Orgin of the Species ,Mark Twain’s Letters From The Earth and other controversial works. As a child I was also mocked for being a bookworm and was told by my teachers that I would never be anyone in life. It was very depressing growing up in such a culture that does not recognize the intellects yet at the same time holds onto this book that was written when the greater populace thought that the world was flat ( I’m talking about their bible) But at the same time I am also aware that if all religions would disappear, the very next day other religions would reappear as it seems despite modern technologies their are a lot of primitive notions in the greater populace.I would like to leave on this note of commendation about your views and stories of philosophy. I find them very interesting and hope that you keep on writing them
Thanks for the comment, Ben! It is always good to meet another ex-Amish atheist. I think you are the fourth one. We are not quite as rare as I initially believed. I’m curious, are you openly atheist? If so, how are your family relationships? You should consider writing a guest post for this blog đŸ™‚
Thank’s for your invitation on the guest blog I would be happy to do it. But I’m leaving for the western slope of Colorado today, to do some forestery service work in the wilderness and will not have internet service for the next month. But I would be willing to do this after I get back. As for you’r other question, yes I’m a open athiest and my parents have come to accept me for whom I am and I communicate with them on a monthly basis.As for my siblings, there are six of us with two sisters still in the old order amish culture and I see them once a year over the holidays and they have a bigger problem with my point of view than my parents do. As for the rest of my siblings, my two brothers are agonostic and my other sister is with some liberal mennonite church and she does express her viewpiont about me but not in the negative way in which my amish sisters do.
Let me know when you return from your western trip, I’d love to have a post or several dozen from you on this blog. I’m glad that your family is understanding, to an extent. I’m sure it helps that there are several agnostics in there. In my case, I have a brother and 3 sisters and all of them are Old Order Amish with no apparent hint of skepticism in their beliefs. I’m afraid if I revealed my beliefs to them I would regret it.
Hello!
I have not had time to read through your blog yet. I grew up as a Horning Mennonite, though, and imagine we have a lot in common. I actually wrote an essay on my own de-conversion from Christianity; you can feel free to email me if you’re interested in reading it.
Yes, I’m interested in reading your essay. My email address is xamishatheistATgmailDOTcom if you want to send it to me.
I’m a former Amish former atheist… does that count? Actually I guess I was more agnostic… I didn’t believe there wasn’t a God, I just questioned whether there was. Too bad I wasn’t born in ancient Greece… that belief system about what constitutes an afterlife resonates with me far more than any other. The whole concept of Mnemosyne and drinking of the fountain of forgetting and remembering is fascinating to me.
Also, I think Aristotle’s reaction was interesting when he was presented with the idea that a universe without zero or infinity did not make sense (he hated both and claimed there was no such thing). He was presented with the idea that either the universe had a beginning and it would also have an end (zero), or it has always been and always will be (infinity). He finally chose infinity, because he just couldn’t conceive of nothingness.
What if the universe has always existed and always will? Then neither creation nor evolution make sense. What if there was no beginning? Try getting your head around that one… I can’t.
Just when I’ve gotten comfortable with the idea that the universe had a beginning and may or may not have an end, here you come and muddle everything up đŸ™‚
I think there was a beginning. I’d like to believe that before the beginning there was nothingness. I can’t understand that nothingness but then I realize that it doesn’t even make sense to use the word “before” in relation to the beginning of time. I end up completely confused and even putting God into the equation doesn’t solve the sheer absurdity of it all.
I am not ex-amish, but ex-mennonite and most definitely an athiest!
I love hearing others stories of their journey out of religion, and often there are very similar paths.
4 years ago I was a dyed-in-the-wool born again believer, but that came crashing down in April of ’10 when questions started to hit me and I actually went after answers instead of rationalizations. It didn’t take very long for the evidence against what I held to be true to convince me that I had simply been fooled.
Those who are still in the fold cannot understand how hard it is to go down the path that leads out of everything that you know, but the light at the end of the tunnel is a great find! Freedom at last! The ability to experience life and to explore our world as it truly is without making up stuff is invaluable as I’m sure you know.
Congratulations on your intellectual honesty and in seeing the falsehoods inherent in ALL religion(s). There are a lot of us ex-christians out here, and the numbers are growing by leaps and bounds!
I’m also an ex Mormon agnostic. I am so great full to be alert,alive and in the now. How about we all focus on our earthly homes and less on our heavenly mansions.
Life is too short to live by silly religious beliefs. You can live a happy and productive life full of hope without believing in some magic soap opera. I’ve faced my fear that when I die I become rotting meat and fading memories.
I will do my best to leave my name carved in the hearts of those who knew me and not on a tombstone.
I sincerely hope you can learn to believe in your own power to control your life and seize whatever time religion hasn’t stolen.
I find it very interesting that those of you that say you don’t believe in a God that you are spending so much of your time trying to keep telling your self that there is no God. Why not go Out and Do something good for your neibour or friend. Maybe if you would get your minds off of your self you could do someone else some good..
Maybe you should start a blog about the fact the cows don’t fly or horses don’t lay eggs.
Just because you don’t believe in a God Does not change anything about it.
Some Day you will know the truth. But then it will be too late my Friend. So today is your opportunity to Get ready for the day of your death.
Are you afraid to Die and if so Why?
Please don’t wait too long before you believe in the true God of Heaven and Earth..
Romans 1:20 says: For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
“I find it very interesting that those of you that say you don’t believe in a God that you are spending so much of your time trying to keep telling your self that there is no God.”
Last time I checked, it was the christians who get together 2-3 times a week to bolster their beliefs. I no longer believe the lies I was raised with, and it takes no effort on my part to maintain that status.
You guys are the ones who apparently need the support, it’s puzzling that you don’t see that as obvious.
And why are we not concerned with flying horses and egg-laying cows? Because to my knowledge no-one is currently teaching that as fact and threatening impressionable young minds with an eternal bbq if they don’t accept it.
Start doing that and I will tell you that cows don’t lay eggs.
Of course it also helps that we have empirical evidence that cows actually exist…
Yes we do get together to feed our Souls on the good things. It is the evil one that wants us to not believe in God. In our Earthy Life we eat three meals a day. To stay alive. The Same with our spiritual Life we must feed it to stay Alive.
The Bible tells us that in the end times man would be lovers of self and hate God.
SO as you can see you are fulfilling prophecy
Repent and Believe God before you Die my Friend.
I don’t hate God at all, any more than you hate Sasquatch . Both are imaginary, and your threats about the eternal bbq are pointless, since fears of such a place only work for you who believe.
I would appreciate your response, either to my comment of by email. I have bought a harness and cart from a nearby Amish community and was in a local bee club with one of the community members. I tend to idealize the Amish. Recently, an ex-Amish family has moved nearby and I have become friends with the lady of the house (we’ve processed chickens together and had several visits). She and her family have left the Amish due to religious differences but the ex-family is still plain, except for telephones, computers, electricity & motorized vehicles.
My dilemma is that I am athiest and I fear that once this is ever understood by my new friend, she may not continue the friendship. Do the Amish in general have rules about not associating with athiests, apostates, etc?
Thanks.
Yes you have a dilemma. you say you tend to idealize the Amish. But yet don’t Believe in the Same God. When that happens soon the Religious person finds that the goals are different and Soon the conversation quits. If You Like the Amish you Must also Like The God they Serve.
Sanford, you are a small mided person. Do realize how self righteous you sound. I can gaurantee you that had you been alive 2000 years ago when a new religion began to be formed called christianity, a religion that leaned heavily upon the then modern philosophys of the greeks and departed from the old outdated barbaric rites of judaism, you would have been a pharasee standing on the street corner praying out loud for the salvation of those perniciously liberal apostasizers called christians. Maybe you would like to explain to us how an unchainging God totally changed all the rules in the middle of the game.
Hi Lauren. I am not aware of any Amish rules disallowing association with atheists. Many fundamental Christians have a hard time enjoying the company of an atheist but there are some that are able to put their religion aside just enough to do so. I guess what I would suggest is to mention atheists in passing and try to gauge the person’s reaction to it.
Hello,
I am Amish and I discovered your blog posts(I hide my internet from the bishop,lol)
I agree with you on a lot of your views,I too hate the Amish education system and believe it to be intellectually stunting amish youth,as well as brainwashing them.
I was always the odd geek interested in science while most of the other children had the dogmatic BS already wellrooted in their brains.
I would like to leave the amish soon and would love to chat with you.
Many Thanks! BM
Vee bisht doo un voh bisht dafun?
Gay ex-creationist and youth minister for a Church of Christ (rather than a cult) parish. I’m actually fascinated by the various ways in which atheists come out or conclude their atheism, especially in issolation. I had heard of a pair of orthdox Jews who lived in an exclusively Jewish commune (ironically in New York) of which they never stepped out. Interestingly they arrived at their atheism without the intervention of contrary literature or discussions.
I also have an openly-gay-openly-atheist ex muslim friend from Iran, that particular combination isn’t all that rare. I have alot of friends who are muslim who also happen to be gay. Most of them seem to have no problems with Darwinian theory. Which suggests to me that they may be closer to deists than full-blown followers of Muhammad.
I’m ex old order Mennonite now atheist. I’m just glad I got away from all that crap
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Your blog is really interesting! Keep it up, man đŸ™‚
Thank you, Jared!