If you were raised in a religion, how old were you when?

Question

You either:

1) First though you would continue to follow it, even if your parents stopped telling you to.

or

2) First thought you would stop following it, even if your parents kept telling you to.

And, how old were you when it came true?

Answer 1

I was 13, when my brother told me there was no god.
My parents still made me go to church, even though I had my doubts and didn't want to go.
I think I was15 or 16, when I decided once and for all that god couldn't exist.

Answer 2

I was raised as a mainstream Presbyterian (and was ordained as a ruling elder). I gave up on it as too moralistic when I went to college. If I had to pick an event, it would be the pastor trying to explain the water into wine miracle by saying that wine was really "new wine" which meant grape juice.

I then became an Episcopalian with my basic beliefs being Deist. A position, I would point out, taken by many of the intellectuals among the Founding Fathers. I gradually came to my present agnosticism as I found that religion and god were an increasingly minor part of my life.

If I had to pick an event I would say that my father's death from Alzheimer's disease marked a clear break. If there is a god who created this disease, then I don't want to worship him. If the disease is a naturally evolved disease that god allowed to exist despite the prayers of millions, then why should I bother worshiping him. I find it easier to explain god's inaction in this and so many other evils by positing his non-existence.

Answer 3

I was 21 when I finally stopped "following" the religion, but I continued to believe in the basic dogma for years. At 35 I finally learned the truth and stopped believing altogether.

Answer 4

I was young when I decided I wanted it for life - about 11!

When I turned 20, I started having doubts and I left completly at 22.

About five years and a library full of books later, I realized that I had been a pretty smart 11 year old and I went back.

It's been 8 years that I've been serious about my faith again and it feels great!

Answer 5

I was 19-20. I was really into church(christian) up until this age. I guess I just started opening my mind to different ways of thinking and I wanted to know why a lot. I still believe in God and I do believe in Jesus, but I honestly hate organized religion. I hate what it does to believers and non believers.

Answer 6

The problem is, these sorts of decisions are a long, involved process. You cannot put a date on it. Most of the atheists I know were devout, 100% absolutely certain Christians at some point in their life, and the transition between theism to atheism took years, without any one single pivotal moment.

Answer 7

#2- stopped following it when I was 17-18, a senior in high school. My parents didn't push me to keep following it- they let us all know that at that age we were old enough to decide for ourselves. My father never attended church, my mother did occassionally, my grandmother did every Sunday, so we were not a consistent bunch, to say the least.

Answer 8

I was raise a Catholic Batized..one..i was never forced attend church..but was taught about the Bible and the way Catholics believes...am still a one go to church only on Holidays ..say my prays believe there is a God..in Heaven

Answer 9

I was born into Christianity and have never stopped being a follower of Jesus the Christ. His love is so great. Give it a chance in your life.

Answer 10

i was 11 when i felt i would continue to follow it even if my parents told me to stop.