When a young person claims to be atheist, do you take them seriously or brush them off?

Question

I posted a question this morning asking if I should share my beliefs as an atheist with my Catholic mother and received many responses that seemed to insinuate that since I am young (20 years old), I may be going through a 'phase' or that I may 'find my way back'. I don't think these answered were meant to be condescending, as I know that the answerer's replies were with good intentions. It simply gave me the impression that since I am young, my beliefs are not always taken seriously.

I may be young but I am not a child and I am perfectly capable of making rational decisions. I bought my first house at 19 and have held a steady career in a high position since the age of 18. I admit I am a little insulted when I am not taken seriously because of my age.

Here is a link to the question I referred to:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AthyPJP0i6syNpKSFmzPNYfsy6IX?qid=20070822064742AAgftHK

Answer 1

I know where you're coming from. I'm 17 and an atheist. Some people seem to think that just because I'm young that my beliefs and opinions are somehow invalid, or don't carry the same amount of weight as someone older. Not only does this not make sense, but I do feel somewhat insulted when people completely disregard the validity of my beliefs based on my age.

After all, if someone my age can profess that they are Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, etc, then why the hell can't I say that I'm an atheist without being bombarded with comments like "Oh, you'll grow out of it" or like you said, "You'll find your way back, don't worry"? It is frustrating to never be taken seriously, especially when, as you said, I'm perfectly capable of making rational decisions.

Besides, it's not like I just woke up one day and decided "Oh, I think I'll be atheist for the next couple of years". No, I've actually taken the time to study different religions and talk to people who follow them. It just so happens that my beliefs don't really match up with any of those, and I'm not going to change my beliefs just because some 2,000 year old book says I should.

Unfortunately, this doesn't just occur with religion. It happens in practically every aspect of my life. I may be young and relatively unexperienced, but I do have two eyes and a brain. I am capable of seeing the mistakes other people make, the consequences of these mistakes, and therefore deducing that making the same mistake PROBABLY wouldn't be such a good idea. But, of course, I'm only 17. What could I possibly know about observation?

Answer 2

That is strange. I am 20 as well, and I feel that I know very well what my views are - they are, like yours, thought through and not some "rebellious phase". I was never particularly rebellious, but I certainly passed the age a few years ago! I behave like you as well, when I am in a situation where others pray.

Don't worry about those who don't take you serious, they're the ones at a loss! When a 10-year-old tells me he'll never, ever smoke because it's yuck, then I take that as what he thinks is true and I respect it, even though the odds that he'll never smoke are pretty slim. However, when a 20-year-old (an adult) has a view on religion, then that is what it is. An adult's view on religion, and jsut because somebdoy else is 40 doesn't make your view any less right.

I know what you mean when you say you're insulted. I don't have a job like you, but I study and take my studies seriously, and I had to grow up fairly early due to circumstances (anybody else responsible for two younger siblings at the age of 8, that included cooking dinner and bringing them to bed with NOBODY there and no way to contact parents? Don't tell me it doesn't leave it's marks). When people tell me that I'm "young, it's just a phase" to whatever it is, then I am insulted as well. Usually I will be rather cool towards them from then on and have my thoughts. It's a myth that young people are all arrogant drug-takers with no morals and no idea of what life might be about.

I am not sure this helped, but maybe we have some things in common on this board!

Answer 3

I'm sorry that you were insulted by what people said, but some people believe that atheism is something that takes "intelligence and maturity" to come to a choice about. I'm not saying you lack those things, but some people at 20 certainly do. They are generalizing. I don't think like this. I take someone seriously depending on what they say. If they say that they are atheist because "Christians are stupid", then I really do brush them off. No one should justify their beliefs by insulting someone else's. I don't go around saying, "I'm a Christian because Atheists are stupid." If a person says they are an Atheist because Christian leaders are corrupt, again, I don't take them seriously.

Truthfully, you MAY find your way back to Christianity, but saying that doesn't mean that you aren't an Atheist at all. I don't believe you are in a phase at all. You lack of faith in God because of the lack of evidence is justified just as my faith in God.

As far as telling your mother, I'll answer the other question to give some thoughts on that! Good luck!

Answer 4

How seriously I would take a "young person" on this issue would really depend on the person and their philisophical history, but in any case I would not just brush anyone off.

As a side note, I find that often when people claim to be atheists they realy hold to the position of an agnostic (either God hasn't been proven or can't be proven [due to the nature of the concept] so why should I believe God exists).

Answer 5

Christy, I think you got quite a few respectful questions, with just a sprinkling of blowhards. I am not an atheist, but my belief does include treating others as I myself wish to be repeated. This forum is by its very nature going to bring out strong reactions from most people. I just wish more would use respect and good manners. That is a good trait regardless of your choice to believe in a deity, or not.

Answer 6

I think some may believe that the closer we come to death the more likely it will be that we will see the "truth" of religion, the universe, god, whatever. Religion and belief is only good for one person at a time, if what you believe works for you now, that's great, later it might not, but so what, you can change your mind easier than your socks. Some believe that religion is a contest or spectacle, your either with my team or you're going to hell or your a fool. Just believe what makes sense to you now, you'll have plenty of time to ponder the afterlife when you are dead.

Answer 7

A great deal depends upon the attitude revealed by the young person's questions and responses. Often young people adopt a pose such as atheism as part of trying to carve out their own identity. It's all part of growing up. Generally those people are hostile and tend to be "absolute" in their positions.

People of any age who have arrived at atheism by a process of thoughtful analysis and examination of evidence tend to be rather calmer about it, and usually don't bother engaging in fruitless debates.

Answer 8

Regardless what people or family or friends think or believe about your proclaiming yourself to be an Atheist. Know this, as much as your choice hurts and saddens Almighty God and Jesus Christ...they DO take you seriously and they DO believe you and they bow to your choice. Almighty God and Jesus Christ are gentlemen, they do NOT force themselves on anyone. They want you to freely and willingly love, need, and respect them...anything less is not acceptable.

In the eyes of Almighty God, once you attained the age of accountability (age 12) Almighty God holds you & only you responsible for your behaviors, words, actions, deeds. Although society might not consider you accountable until you are 18, God does.

If at your mature age of 20, you are expecting ALL people in general to applaud/respect your every decision, choice, & beliefs or lack thereof...you are seriously deluded. There will always be those who mock, challenge, sneer, disregard, or reject you and all the above on some level for the rest of your natural life.

If people did so to Jesus Christ who WAS/IS perfect, all-knowing, all-seeing, and all-hearing, innocent, sinless, & chaste...then mortal, human, flawed people will suffer rudeness & insult also.

Answer 9

Anyone who thinks that 20 is not sufficiently old to make decisions or judgments of that kind is patronizing in the extreme and you are far too generous to them for it. I knew I was an atheist long before 20 and now I am more than twice your age, I don't seem to have passed through this "phase" yet. It angers me that anyone can dismiss the views of young people merely on the grounds that they are young - and I think this applies to young people much younger than you are. I would ignore them and enjoy your maturity and intellect. It is something they have, even in their advanced years, not encountered.

Was ever anyone misnamed as dramatically as the guy above me?

Answer 10

I certainly respect your choice and know that you have made a reasonable one. But lots of people think that at 20 you might not know exactly what you want to believe for a lifetime. I know that at 20 I was a Mormon. Boy, have I come a long way! But if you are strong in your atheism, more power to you! I'm sorry you were insulted. Be the better person and shake it off. :)

atheist