Atheists and agnostics : at which age did you decide to leave religion? and why?

Answer 1

Around 12, and it was just growing up, you just learn more about the world. Same process as giving up Santa and the Tooth Fairy.

Answer 2

I was never really into religion. I went to a few different churches with friends and family, but the whole thing seemed shallow and fake. I never felt anything but boredom. I was atheist for a long time, until I realized I could believe in anything I wanted, anything at all, and have the same chance of being right as any other religion. So I consider myself agnostic, with the details constantly changing.

Answer 3

Wow! I'm NOT an Atheist or an Agnostic, but I find it amazing that for most (so far) it was around the age of 12 that they quit believing (if raised in a believing home). Great question.

Answer 4

at 11 I started to question, and around 12-13 I realized I was an agnostic atheist. Further research since that time (>10 years)has made me more knowledgeable in different areas, but the conclusion remains the same.

Answer 5

First, let me congratulate you on phrasing your question in a considerate manner. I appreciate it. Anyways, I was about 12-13 when I became an agnostic. I went through about 4 years of Presbyterian schooling then went on to four years of Jesuit schooling. I originally thought myself Atheist but changed to Agnostic because Atheism has the same fault of religion: it assumes to know about the metaphysical when all of it is unknowable. Now, most tend to slam religion; I don't. Religion and mythology ultimately are about the same thing: trying to make sense of the world. All religions have something to contribute in terms of intellectual prosperity. E.G.: The Jesuits taught me all people have dignity and the importance of consideration for others. You don't have to believe in Christ to see those are valid, positive attributes. Ultimately, I do have issue with all religions, but I will speak of the matter with reason and try to preclude prejudicial statements. I ultimately came to the conclusion that, through my parents and teachings moral and ethical behaviour were self-evidently good. They clearly advance society and one's personal agenda of living a fulfilling life I therefore will act morally and ethically because it is the right thing to do, as opposed to needing a supernatural nanny to constantly supervise how I act. I will say, generically, one main problem that cuts across all religion is the fact that certain results must be obtained- a certain level of "canned answers" to which all questions must conform. ("God is omnibenevalent", "God willed it", etc.) I would feel better that religion simply made the mandate to seek the truth, but I guess that would be too vague. Religion has simply been too abused over the centuries through manipulation and as a device to justify kings and emporers to do as they wish and have people accept it.

Answer 6

I was raised in religion, but it never really had an impact on me or impressed me. The older I got, the more questions I asked and the less satisfactory the supplied answers became. In the end, when I confronted my family about the absurdities and questionable claims of the Bible it all came down to "You just have to believe."

Well...no. I didn't "have" to. In fact, I realized quickly that I simply didn't. While I kept going to services until I was 18 (due to family), I stopped as soon as I became an adult.

Answer 7

It was kind of a gradual thing. When I was a kid I went to church, and I really liked the sign on the wall that read, "God is Love."

Then I started to read the Bible, and in shock and dismay I read about an angry, murderous, misogynist, spoiled brat of a deity who is in seeeerrrrious need of a time-out. Or a spanking, for preference.

I could not reconcile the two in my head, and I decided that I really believe in Love over anything the Bible had to say. So, when the two clashed, the Bible lost. Later studies of the history of the Bible confirmed my hunch that it was a man-made document and not divine.

Over the years, my study of various religions around the world made me start to think that people's religious experiences had some interesting things in common... and perhaps all the personification of deities are mere metaphors for something bigger even than 'God', and are well-meaning but misguided attempts to define something indefinable.

So THAT's what I really believe in... not a deity and most certainly not the Christian deity, but something more abstract.

Answer 8

I was never taught about religion; my parents were both atheists, and I never even thought about God or anything. Its an interesting idea- all religions are. But I was raised on science, math, books, but not religion. I dont buy into it- they can't all be right. Unless they're all really the same, you know? I sort of feel like people need religion because they need something to believe in, they need to feel like everything is for a reason, or they're not alone. Which is fine and dandy for them. but not me!

Answer 9

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I understood the Economics of religion.
I could never be at ease with contradictions
I could never understand the hypocrisy of the religious leaders.
And so I said to myself "Those who forbid me not to sin by putting the fear of Hell in me, how come they do not observe the same rules?" They claim to know better !! Thus does it not mean that if they are not frightened of Hell ! If so, then does Hell really exist or is it that Hell may not exist at all !! I became a doubting Thomas and then I have been moving away from Religion.

Answer 10

Around 12, when all my sunday school teachers said "god is love, god is love" but the bible is nothing but stories of people slaughtering whole villages in his name. The Israelites wandered for 40 years, killing every person they came across because they wanted the land then in a couple years, they didn't want the land and would move and kill another village full of people. Very wasteful and not at all loving.
Now I am pagan which is not very loving either but never professed to be.

Answer 11

Between the ages of approximately 11- 13 I began to realize that it was a mythology and not a reality. I then spent years studying various religions and philosophies before concluding that there is no evidence for any omnipotent being or creator.