Why do people believe in God & then become atheist?

Question

Does being an atheist mean you don't believe in God or you don't believe in religion. Are most atheist angry towards or dislike christians & if so why?

Answer 1

I was raised Southern Baptist. I tried for years to be a christian, but even when I was young I questioned the existance of god. I read the bible several times, tried to accept what was said...failing that I began to educate myself on other religions, even Wicca. But deep down I just couldn't make myself believe in a god of any kind. Nothing bad has happened to me to make me not believe. I do not blame any god for any problems that I have. Any problems I have were usually of my own doing. My parents were/are great parents and I have known love from family and friends all my life. I am a moral, upstanding citizen. I give to charity and volunteer my time when I can. I do not feel any anger or dislike for christians in general. Most of my friends are christian as is my family. I do have problems with a few christians here who seek out to demean atheists by saying we are evil, immoral, going to hell, that we were abused as children, something must have happened to us to make us not believe, etc...I try to be nice to christians here, but when I have to I defend my beliefs or lack thereof. I have a sense of humor, so yes sometimes I laugh at some of the christians here who ask silly questions, especially regarding Pascals Wager. But I do believe that everyone in the US is entitled to their own opinions and beliefs and they should not be trampled on.

Answer 2

I thought atheist was a belief that there is no God, or Higher Power of any sort, but than someone explained to me that it can mean, just simply keeping an open mind.

Or, that could be agnostic, I'm not sure. I had a good conversation with them, and they are a very nice person.

So some people feel this way in an attempt to keep an open mind. And that is not a bad thing, necessarily, that can be a very good thing. Cause' they feel it gives them an expanded awareness because they are not closing there mind to only one way of thinking.

Still, others who once believed and changed they're beliefs, often might do so because they have let life wear them down.

Of course they didn't have to let other people, or life, do that to them.

But we shouldn't judge them, unless we have walked a mile in they're shoes, and we might do more miles in they're shoes then that someday.

So, there's the positive reason. That one is not an avoidance of a belief, or change, necessarily, but more of a conscious decision, maybe.

And the other is not always for such positive reasons. Then sometimes there belief comes back, or they may become more firm in the new beliefs they develop.

As for me, I believe in a higher power. For me I don't think my own life would have the same feeling without knowing there is something there.

I recognize others don't necessarily think the same way I do, but that is just fine with me and I have a totally equal amount of respect for them too.

Answer 3

No, Atheists hate Christians who force their beliefs on others. Most Atheists become that way through education. Most religious people, of any religion, not just Christianity, get their religion passed down to them from their parents. And Yes, Atheists do not believe in God. Those who might believe in a possible Deity, but do not think organized religion can solve such issues are called Agnostics.

Answer 4

Atheists don't believe in God, Agnostics don't believe in organized religion. Agnostics are the most open minded of all - as no theory has any proof, they tend to accept that what anybody says is possible if not taken too literally.

Atheists are not angry toward christians, or other religions, they get angry toward self appointed preachers who live their lives preaching their religion to people who don't want to hear it.

Answer 5

I was Christian and am now atheist only because i believed in God because i was raised to believe in him.

When i got older, it started making less and less sense, and i figured out what i wanted and went with it.

I am not angry towards all christians, just the ones that look down on everyone else because of what they believe. And say crap about us being lost.....being bad people....wanting to do what we like........ But there are many atheists that do the same thing to others! So its double ended!!

Answer 6

They are not strong. I was raised Christian, then became agnostic (a fence-rider), and became interested in the so-called intellectual arguments against there being a God. I was uptight and trusted no one. Now I realize that Humans lie and are fickle, and are crude and cruel. Even the ones you have trusted can be. Not God. God is true and good, and has infinite love for us. We can choose the way of God or the way of Satan. If your mother lies to you and your father abandons you, your brother steals from you, and your husband beats you- that is not God. That is Satan- the bad that coexists with the good in this world. Atheists fail to see that the mind of God transcends the mind of man, which means, relax. Our human pea brain wasn't meant to fathom the "why?" of it all. That's where Faith comes in. Atheists have none, beyond the faith they have in their own brains- talk about building your house on sand. I have a friend who quit believing in God because his wife died. You have to have the strength to know that things in this world are always changing, but the truth in the word of God never will. I hope he changes his mind. There are many tests of faith, and that would be one. When it comes to faith, you think with your heart, and you know.

Answer 7

I was a Christian as a child because that is what I was indoctrinated as. Once I hit 16 or so I realized that I did not believe and that Christianity did not apply to me.

I was not angry at Christians, I just did not believe in their God. I don't think that I am capable of believing in a god.

I did go through an anti-religious phase for awhile where I argued with people of faith and denigrated them for their superstitions. fortunately I grew out of it.

Answer 8

Why substitute, are you pleased with believing in God? in simple terms on account which you think in God does not mean you will desire to settle for the Bible or the different faith yet once you certainly must be an Atheist, in simple terms have faith that there's no God

Answer 9

I wanted to be a Catholic as a kid. My parents weren't religious (my dad's an atheist and my mom is an agnostic), but they were, *gasp*, open-minded about it. I told my parents I wanted to go to church, and though they didn't want to go themselves, they set up arrangements with my aunt to go. But, when I went, I felt nothing. I just fidgeted in the pew waiting for the service to be over. I didn't have dreams later on of angels and wings. My life was completely and totally unaffected by God. He was like an imaginary friend to me. I wouldn't even had called him a friend. Maybe one of those "friends" who demand a lot of things but gives nothing in return. Anyway, I eventually stopped going to church with my aunt and I returned to normalcy. I never really cared about nor believed in God since.

Despite what people may say, I am governed by strong morals, and I love my family and friends with all my heart. I try my best to be a good human being, and I spend my life loving life, instead of living life for the afterlife.

Also, I don't dislike Christians. There are a lot of atheists that hold animosity towards Christians because we are often ridiculed for our beliefs BY Christians. Most of us (I'm not speaking for everyone) are generally nice and mind their own business. It's usually the Christians who like to start fights.

Answer 10

Well let's look at the word atheist, it's composed of two parts: a and theist.

a- not
theist- one who believes in god(s)

Therefore atheist = not one who believes in god(s).

As for Christians, most atheists find them to be an annoyance.