Are there any statistics out there regarding what percentage of atheists are former theists?
Link 'em if you've got 'em.
2007-05-07 17:25:56 · 16 answers · asked by Doc Occam 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This is the only study I know of that makes an unbiased attempt (both the authors claim to be agnostic) at gathering information on the atheists in America:
http://www.amazon.com/Atheists-Groundbreaking-Study-Americas-Nonbelievers/dp/1591024137/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-5027423-3373413?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178598749&sr=8-1
The authors are/were psychology professors at the University of Manitoba. They sent surveys to a number of atheist organizations in America and used the ones that were sent back as their data. They also used a survey given to the parents of their intro psych class students (in Canada). It's a fairly passive way to collect data, but they never pretend that the study is more significant than it is. The sample set is extremely small, so the results are definitely not conclusive. Still, it's a scholarly investigation, and an interesting read.
I know they specifically address the question of how many of those surveyed were, at some time, religious and how many grew up atheists, but I can't recall the details.
Anyway, check it out. It's good. It's always refreshing to read something that seems motivated only by sheer curiosity.
2007-05-07 17:52:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
i have no statistics, but I always believed in G-d because from age 0-5 our house was... haunted.. I know, you may laugh. its o.k. it sounds weird. So anyway, I learned to sing to G-d (a couple of songs i learned in primary at church) and pray at a really early age, on my own basically out of NEED. Well, even I had lots of trouble believing from about age 5 to about 10. There was some abuse... although I was really nice to other people and all because that was just my belief... to be kind and even self-sacrificial. At around 11yrs of age I wanted to know more and more about Jesus. Alot more... I found christian praise and worship songs on the radio at 14 and from then on I was hooked on it. (Hooked on Jesus, worked for me)... :o) well, I don't know how it would be to be atheist, but sometimes ive wanted to be. I actually tried to a few times because i found i could not make it in the christian world. It can be very harsh.... anyway, I just couldn't stop knowing and loving Jesus because I knew Him so well. I loved Him too much to leave Him for much time at all.... like one day at the most. Ugh... it seemed like eternity away from my L-rd. How does an atheist do it?
2007-05-07 18:00:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would guess most would be former religious, humanity is just now starting to wash itself of the filth of religion. The next generation will have more atheist raised children.
2007-05-07 17:31:40 · answer #3 · answered by kaltharion 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I was raised a Christian but was born a FREE THINKER.
Around the age of 18 i became an Atheist/Realist.
2007-05-07 17:40:26 · answer #4 · answered by DD 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Atheist, nee Episcopal
2007-05-07 17:34:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
1) Well Atheists do claim we are all born Atheists.
2) I think no one is "born" a Christian, you must voluntarily set yourself apart on your own accord.
Atheists who claim to have been "raised" Christians I think only kept their so-called faith until they were away from their parents, then they abandoned it. They never had true conversion on their own accord, they were coerced by their parents.
For myself
Age 0-6 - Totally irreligious, no mention of God or church whatsoever
6-17 - Off and on church attendance but with no inner meaning
17-18 - Anti-Christ. My first girlfriend died and whatever faith I had turned into hate toward Christ. I swore and cursed at a cross with the image of Christ on it
19-20 - Off and on
21 - Working on being as true a Christian as I can but I make no false claims, I do need a lot of work.
2007-05-07 17:37:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I don't know the statistics but, I'd say most are former Christians, Jews, ect.
I myself am a former Christian.
2007-05-07 17:29:40 · answer #7 · answered by Random Script Kiddie 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I believe in God, and do my best to follow the Golden Rule, but all churches, mosques, temples, etc.. make me sick, because they are all about control and money, except for the Salvation Army, they, and only they are really doing God's work.
2007-05-07 17:35:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
while I know longer claim Christianity I still believe in a higher power
2007-05-07 17:35:33 · answer #9 · answered by Amy m 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My parents were Christian meth heads from the heartland. They were too busy self destructing for such talk.
2007-05-07 17:31:40 · answer #10 · answered by Jett 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋