How many theists/Christians here were once atheists, and how many atheists were once believers?

Question

What was the reason, if any, for your "conversion"?

Answer 1

I didn't start out as an atheist. I grew up with two polar opposite parents divided over philosophy, religion and politics. On the upside, I got to see both sides of many things. The only way I went to church as a kid was to catch a bus, walk or ride my bike sometimes for many miles. Mostly, I walked. And even though I went to all that trouble, I never really felt deeply anchored to religious convictions despite how hard I tried to connect.

During my formative years, I went to eleven different churches. Somewhere along the way, it began to dawn on me that the meta message in most religions was conformity. Personal expression and individualism were a growing part of who I was becoming. However, trying to express myself through a fog of dogma felt leaden and labored.

At the time I began to evolve in my thinking, I considered myself to be a Baptist. The Baptist church wasn't very good at teaching the language for personal expression, and even their mission of saving souls got bogged down in hackneyed phrases that weren't very fresh or original. These well-worn sayings didn't really persuade people too much outside the church without a LOT of social pressure to back it up. It was hell for a kid trying to learn to talk like a human being instead of a Baptist robot.

Later, after several years in the Mormon church, I began to discover that the church leaders didn't really see everyone the same. They used color and gender and other means of conveniently stereotyping people into the worst categories imaginable. I stopped going.

The Catholics were a little too metaphysical, regimented, authoritative and socially charismatic to encourage independence and free expression. My first experience with the Pentacostal church was really uncomfortable. I walked six miles home after church rather than riding in the car with my Pentacostal neighbor. Salvation Army did a lot for the community, but the church services left me feeling disengenuous and unengaged. I read the old testament once, and studied the new testament many times. Everything I read kept exposing ambiguities.

A burden was lifted when I came to terms with not believing. It was hard for me to think it let alone say "I am an Atheist" out loud in the beginning. To this day, I still crave the addiction of going to church, with the singing, the friendship and the potato salad. I knew it was over when I started praying for IQ points and pizza.

Answer 2

For a very long time, I wanted to believe. I wanted to believe that someone cared and would save me from what was in essence a hellish childhood. I wanted to believe that someone or something would guide me in making good decisions and lead me towards a good life. I wanted to believe that somehow there was some kind of remedy for the suffering in the world...or at least some kind of justification. Yet, as early as age 9, I knew the "stories" were full of holes. Quite simply, religion not only doesn't make any sense...it doesn't even begin to work. It's the wrong answer for any question to which it is applied. I have wanted to believe. I have tried to believe. But I do not think I can honestly say that I ever believed in religion and all its myths once I was old enough to begin thinking about the propositions it offers.

Answer 3

I am agnostic and was once Christian. I found too many inconsistencies in the Bible and too much hate and intolerance in the religion to stay Chrisitan. Yet I have studied too much of epistemology to conclusively say that God does not or cannot exist, so I stay with agnostic.

I am a pagan for a more personal and spiritual reason.

Answer 4

I was an atheist as a teen. Got this one boyfriend who was into occultic stuff. I witnessed supernatural manifestations. I decided that if the supernatural was real, I would check into the other side of things. I began to read the Bible and came under conviction of the Holy Spirit. I knew from somewhere deep inside that what I was reading was truth.I turned around and repented and accepted Christs forgiveness of my sin and been walking with Him since.God bless!!

Answer 5

My story's pretty much skalite5's, only instead of moving from Christianity to Atheism, I went from somewhat atheistic (agnostic, I guess) to Young Earth creationist. Yes, by thinking.

After looking at the proofs for and against evolution, the current bestseller when it comes to the origin of the world we have, and then comparing it with the proofs for and against Biblical creationism I was humbled. And accepted.

It is interesting, however, that you're going to find people stating that their way is the only possible solution that could be found by using "Facts." While I'm now a believer in one great truth, it's silly to think that people won't interpret facts on hand and come to varying conclusions. Facts, contrary to popular belief, seldom speak for themselves.

Answer 6

I was raised in a different religion.

At my late teens I chucked it and started looking into anything that sounded "cool". Did some investigation into Buddha, Hindu, Wicca, LDS, and concluded that there was really no God; That I was a "material spirit" as Sting puts it.

I bought the whole evolution thing being foisted in school.

Then, I couldn't find satisfying answers in evolution; too may holes in the entire package and I just don't believe that we originated as ape-men or monkeys.

Kinda wandered for a while. Trying to get "in touch" with the universe. Found that the universe wasn't listening.

Then I decided just to read the Bible. Didn't make sense at first. But, I kept reading it - almost with fascination that anyone believed it.

One day I read Job. I thought that was the biggest load of fresh fertilizer - until I read God's comments. Hit me right in the gut... His questions were totally right. What's more, I knew that this was one of the oldest books in the Bible, yet somehow God knew science! It freakin shocked me! The oldest book, God speaks and challenges my beliefs today!

I got kinda scared. Put it down and smoked some good ganja. Then, I heard someone speak who really knew his stuff about the Bible who came from my background. He spoke as though he knew Jesus personally. It made me think: this guy isn't fake, he's like me, yet he believes.

I went home, and prayed. God, if you're real - change my life. He said to me: "you need to repent" and "turn to me, follow my word". I was shocked! It wasn't an audible voice, but it was REAL.

Once I did that, amazing daily events of God speaking to me and working in my life to change me began to happen.

For one, the Bible wasn't so hard to understand any more.

For another, I saw the intricate weaving of purpose through out all of nature.

Most importantly, I realized I wasn't alone and I wasn't insignificant. Christ died for me. The creator knows me.

TEK

Answer 7

Was agnostic, now a believer

I thought if God did exist, he was unconcerned with people.
I got caught dealing drugs and instead of going to prision, I was sent to a Christian rehab. I learned the principles of the Bible and have found them to be true over the last 3 1/2 years.

Answer 8

Since everybody was born an atheist, it follows that all theists/Christians were once atheists. The same cannot be said for all atheists.

"Born again?! No, I'm not. Excuse me for getting it right the FIRST time."
— Dennis Miller

Answer 9

I don't think I was ever a true convert... My road to atheism brushed a variety of beliefs, none of which appeared to be blunt enough or honest enough to be at the core of my philosophy. So... for me, there was never a conversion of any kind, but rather an avoidance of fallacy. The best I can say is that I gave theism a couple of fair shots at me and they missed, badly.

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Answer 10

Was Catholic now Atheists. No definitive answers to my questions. Too much of Simon says during mass and most importantly the use of circular reasoning as a way to answer questions about religion.
Furthermore got tired of hearing excuse like god's will or only god knows the answer.

Stuff like that.