My name is Stefano, I was born in Rome from little practising christian parents.
They sent me to sunday school and become an altar boy perhaps just after 11yo.
Soon after that I started questioning several of religious teachings, especially when they forbid me to be interested in girls and have sexual thoughts. By age 14 I stopped going to church, but still believed in god.
Gradually, with the help of books and science I gave up religion, but I considered myself agnostic.
I got married, but not in a church, had two kids and not baptised them, however, I was still uncertain and thought that there must have been some sort of 'intelligent design'.
In the 80s, I migrated to Australia and it was 'Cosmos' by Carl Sagan, that finally made me realize that I was an Atheist, but still I'd keep that for myself, or not use that term.
It is thanks to Dawkings, Hitchens, and Maher that I an now proud to call myself an Atheist, engage in discussions with whomever I consider intelligent enough to understand, post on FB and generally try and promote Atheism.
I gave up 'red meats' around 20y ago, but kept eating fish and cheeses thinking that I'd improve my health, however 6y ago I developed Rheumatoid Arthritis, my doctor sent me to a specialist who prescribed the usual nasty chemicals.
I bought them, but did a bit of research and never took them.
I found a video of a woman who cured herself by following a vegan diet recommended by Dr John McDougall, had a look at his website, emailed him and decided to follow his (free) advice. Within 8 months I was cured and never looked back, I still struggle with cheese and occasionally have a bit.......
So, my veganism started because of ill health, but in the last few years I become more and more compassionate towards our fellow beings and become an advocate of animal rights.
It was about 1y ago that someone asked me to teach them how to kill and fillet a 4~5kg tuna that they caught on my boat, I did, but this time I was looking in its eye, felt really bad about it and decided I'd not do that again.
Last but not least, I consider myself a 'pirate', not in the plundering way, but in the rejection of the Status Quo, red tape and 'big brother' propaganda.
5y ago I sold the home, cars and lived on a sailing catamaran, crossed the Atlantic and the Pacific, met thousand of incredibly nice people of all cultures living on as many beautiful islands. Also met many cruisers from all countries and I must report here that the vast majority are also Atheists, some vegetarian of sorts, but I have met no vegan cruisers jet.....
At the moment I am back in Australia, primarily because I just got a second grandchild and my son wants me to interact with them, but I am constantly thinking about my next boat, palm fringed beaches and that horizon....
Keep smiling
Stefano
