17 Year Old Atheist, Seeking Advice From You Higher Ups. (It's a tad long, please bare with me)

Hi there, I've been on Reddit for a few months now, and I love it. My favorite section: Atheism. I've never seen a section of the internet so supportive, defensive and amazing. I'm 17 years old, I'm an atheist and I'm pansexual. I've never submitted anything before but I want to now. I need some personal insight of some sort. I've been an atheist for a long time, I was around six years old when I noticed my prayers weren't being answered and such. Every time I used to do something bad, I would pray to god to beg for forgiveness and I soon started to realize...this is stupid and isn't solving anything. That moment I realized there wasn't anything judging me, no higher power, nothing in the sky, just myself. I was judging myself.

My dad's from Afghanistan and my mom's Canadian (I'm Canadian as well, born in a tiny town that's slowly expanding). My dad's Muslim and I just recently found out my mom has been an Atheist for years now. My brother, 14, is also an Atheist. My six year old sister on the other hand is unsure at such an age. We grew up not eating anything from a pig (even now I can't eat bacon and such because I don't like the taste) but that was really the only thing my dad enforced. I didn't have to wear a hijab or read the Q'ran or anything like that. We still have a bit of the culture in the house (like food, rugs, ect) but that's about it. I never learned to speak his language or anything. My mom never enforced us to go to Church (though I did go twice with my great grandma when I was little, sucked so bad), but she did have me baptized for the sake of my grandparents.

I've read the bible numerous times, I can't quote verses but I've read it. I don't understand everything I read though and I found a lot of the times that I didn't agree with it when I was younger. As I got older and read through it again I realized how sick and twisted this Holy Book actually was. When I was in grade four, I started noticing my interest in the female body and then later on found out I also enjoyed transgendered or transvestites. I had no problem with anyone of any gender and I didn't mind liking or dating them. Then came the problem with some of my friends... some of them strayed away from me because I came out, because to them it was wrong, sinful. I hated the bible and what it had created of humans. As I got older, science became my answer for everything. I'm not that smart in science but I will chose it any day over religion.

I hate Christianity. I said it. I say it. I tell my friends. I tell my family. I tell whoever asks me what I am. I hate religion overall, but Christianity is number one on my list. I've lost friends because of time and time again I've disproved or pointed out something wrong in their books. I don't want to lose friends, but it can't be helped.

I get called ignorant, stupid, selfish, heartless, etc for not believing and at such a young age. I have friends that are Atheist but aren't as open about it as I am. I always post things on facebook making fun of or disproving religion. I know it's not respectful or grown up but people post their things making fun of Atheists or quoting bible verses. I tell them: Just like the way I have chosen to ignore your posts, you can chose to ignore mine or delete me. I'd rather lose friends over facebook than in real life.

I may be young, brash and stupid but I've got a good head on my shoulders, so I'm told. I try hard to stand up for what I believe (in this case, don't believe) in but sometimes it's hard to hold your own when the whole religious world is against you. So I'm asking, is there any advice, insight or just stories where you were in the same position you could tell me? I want to become better educated, hold my own. I've read the bible, verses of the Q'ran, had numerous discussion with religious people and always try to be open, but I've just stopped caring if I offend people anymore.

I always chose Morality over Religion. Morality over Religion is always the best option. Follow not what a book tells you, but what your head and heart believes is right.

Thanks for reading, and if you comment with anything, thank you for doing that to! :)