I guess I'm The poster child for that happening.
I grew up in a religious family and believed the stories the Sunday school teachers taught me. Then after a while I started reading about the free thought movement and became an avid researcher of Science and physics.
I fell away from God and I completely believed everything Science told me. Then I woke up and realized that Science is just as messed up as religion.
There are different theories about how the universe began, there are different theories about matter, and I can't begin to even start in on how many theories there are in Physics.
I realized that It took Faith in science just as much as in Religion. In fact I realized It was harder to believe in Science because One guy could show you that matter is made this way. And another could show you matter is made another way completly different. Now what am I to do? Faith is just as present and powerful in Science as it is in religion.
Both want to be the right way and they both want thelp mankind, and both have fell short of that goal. They both have created horrors in history and they both have their fundamentalists.
I went back to God simply because If I was going to have to put my FAITH in something I would rather have it based on love and helping others selflessly. Humility and with knowing that the right thing is being done.
Science carried as much contradiction and internal chaos as religion but at least with religion I can just put my faith on one God rather than a pantheon of Scientists.
I figured if I had to expend faith it will be for a God that will grant me wisdom and love, over a cold test tube and centrifuge any day.
2007-06-26 07:48:24
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answer #1
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answered by ? 3
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Well, in my lifetime I've known quite a lot of theists, and maybe a dozen who actually converted to atheism. Significantly, I've never known an atheist to convert to theism. Having said that, I can approach your question hypothetically and imagine that I would be very surprised. My first reaction would be that they are playing some kind of joke. If they were actually sincere, I would then ask what had changed their mind. Had they finally heard a convincing proof of God's existence in objective (physical) reality? If so, what was it? Many atheists, myself included, would happily become theists, if only someone could prove that God actually exists -- not in the subjective experience of a brainwashed believer, not on the printed page of an ancient book of mythologies -- but actually, in objective (physical) reality. Since roughly ten-billion human beings, over a period of roughly six-thousand years have utterly failed to prove the existence of even one minor god (among thousands), the likelihood of a new and successful proof of God's physical existence is infinitesimally close to zero. Even so, I would still listen, and it's just possible I wouldn't laugh in their face.
2007-06-26 08:21:22
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answer #2
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answered by Diogenes 7
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People make hard decisions all the time. Their motivation is different though.
I think if you ask people, who had really thought things through and were Atheists because of reason. Most of them will tell you that they were tired of not believing in something.
That shows that they didn't realize what a gift that this life really is, and that they were primarily focused on themselves. A good Atheist who has really spent time thinking through things will tell you that we have a responsibility to society, to make life better for the future. We are responsible for our families and friends, and the future of mankind.
If an atheist hasn't come to these conclusions and is focused on themselves only, it is easy to give up, follow the crowd and start believing in a deity for selfish reasons.
At its heart, most religions are selfish entities, that focus primarily on individual salvation. This is highlighted when you ask Christians how they could enjoy heaven when some of their family members will be writhing in pain in hell. The answers are astounding, and show how selfish Christianity really is.
2007-06-26 07:46:20
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answer #3
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answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7
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So far, I haven't met one. Not to say they're not out there.
I have met people who were "confused theists" and became born again at a young age. For instance, something along the lines of "I was in high school, drinking, doing drugs, having sex. I hated my parents and I hated god. Then I found Jesus and my life turned around."
That person wasn't an "atheist." They were rebellious and they got over it. (An Atheist doesn't "hate god" because you tend to not hate nonexistant things)
2007-06-26 07:42:27
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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It happens, but it is pretty rare. I have belonged to several groups over the years and I have only known one. And I really do still believe that it was because of a girl.
Most of the time when you talk to someone who says that is what happened, they really mean that they were not committed to religion at all. But if you would have asked them point blank they never would have identified themselves as a atheist. I am sure there are a few exceptions.
2007-06-26 07:42:39
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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"They were never really atheists in the first place"
I don't know if that answer is serious but it is funny.
Well hey they always say everyone is 99% Atheist, Atheists just take it one God further than the Christians do.
2007-06-26 07:51:53
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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I went from being an atheist to a polytheist.
When I was an atheist, I didn't believe in any gods. That's a real atheist.
I still don't believe in a few.
And, ya know, some atheists are crappy about it.
2007-06-26 07:55:19
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answer #7
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answered by LabGrrl 7
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I think they were never a REAL atheist in the first place. (sound familiar?)
Seriously - what do I care? I live life for myself. I dont care what you believe. I dont care if a former atheist suddenly thinks God is a good idea. Doesnt prove squat.
2007-06-26 07:43:18
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answer #8
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answered by ? 5
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John Lennon said it best..."Come together, right now, over me!" What we have is a failure to comminicate & that's just fine with me, cuz I'm a proud party of ONE who is a strong link in the chain of all living matter! Unfortunately, I'm stuck in the middle with you, what I said ain't exactly true. There's a man with a gun over there.....blah,blah,blah. In other words, it doesn't really mattter! Clowns to the left of me & Jokers to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle with you! (more song lyrics) MORAL to this answer: WHY CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG? Afterall, we ARE ALL stuck together on this friggin' planet for some reason that is unknown to most of us!
2007-06-26 07:45:51
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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Nothing much, They decided it has something they were missing in life. No big deal. Lot's of Christians convert to atheism.
2007-06-26 07:42:24
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answer #10
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answered by punch 7
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