Hi, everyone

This being my very first post to a new forum, here's a bit of background about me.

I grew up Catholic, went to Catholic schools, and was quite committed to the whole religion thing. In fact, I don't think it ever occurred to me back then that there could be a whole world of freethinking out there waiting to be explored.

I was, however, raised to value knowledge, and this mindset was given sustenance by my history teacher in high school, whose brilliant mind and rapier wit were a huge source of inspiration and motivation to me to learn and understand everything I could.

So the seeds of freethinking were planted early, but they didn't really come to fruition until I left home at 18. What followed was a long journey of discovery and mind expansion (no, not the Flower Power kind!) until now, some 15 years on, I can confidently declare my atheism to all and sundry, argue its case in public forums, and live my life according to my own tried and tested values and ethics, not those imposed on me by any organised religion.

So that's me.

Looking forward to many happy hours of reading and discussion!