WHY do so many people claim that atheism is a "fad" or a "phase"?

Question

Okay I'm used to people not respecting the views of teenagers, I know it happened to you all at some point in your life.

almost a year ago I stopped being a Christian. its a decision I came to myself, by making my own decisions, not listening to anyone else. the only reason I ever was a Christian in the first place was because I did listen to everyone else.

I don't know if you older atheists ever hear that, but I hear quite often especially from my family that it's a phase or a fad. They can't accept that I simply don't believe in God.

I'm 15 years old, and whenever I mention that people jump to conclusions.

What do you think?

Answer 1

For many people it is a stage of rebellion, but I think that you are genuine in your beliefs and so I commend you.

Answer 2

Well the question you need to ask yourself is Are You running away from something of to something better?
If your basing your decision on anger or resentment at God or family then it may be a fad. If your basing your decision on what you true heart tells you then it may be your core belief.

Are you judging God by the way people who beleive in him act? God has nothing to do with religion no matter how much religios people tell you he does. I could say your blue and put it in a book I could say you told my great uncle jasper you were blue and say its Gospel. THat doesnt make you blue, and it does not mean YOU dont exist.

I suggest that if you are a athiest Do your self a big favor. Study religion anyway. Study the Bible, study the Koran, study the damapada, the bagdavada Gita, the Upanishads study rastafarianism Zorastriaism. I dont know how thats spelled
Study Mythology anyway. 100,000 years of human experiance should not be ignored. It is a treasure. God or no God. It could be a wonderfull Guide for your life.
The point is to have an open mind and never ever say never to any possibility. To close ones mind is the worst part of theism or athiesm.
Ask a open minded 100 year old about fads Im sure he treasured all his learning experiances.

Answer 3

One good indicator of your true beliefs is your own statements on why you hold them. Think to yourself about what you ACTUALLY believe to be the truth, not what you want to believe, not what you've been told to believe, but what you think is really out there.

Most 'permanent' atheists, like me, have a good understanding of their own beliefs, they know precisely why they do not believe in God. An atheist who truly understands the evidence, and how to use logic to determine its implications, is quite likely to remain an atheist pretty much indefinitely.

On the other hand, the people who go through an 'atheism phase' are those who decide to reject God for emotional reasons. Many of them are not true atheists; rather than completely disbelieving in God, they feel that God does exist but just refuse to worship or even notice God as a sort of deliberate rejection. Often they have had something happen in their lives that had a large emotional effect on them, with the result that they decided God was not watching over them and did not deserve worship. These kinds of people are quite likely to return to religion at some point, often after they finish their adolescence.

So, what are your reasons? Do you reject God because of an emotional event in your life? Or do you reject God based on your understanding of logical and scientific facts? And most importantly, if you sit down and look up into the sky and think not about what you feel but about what is REALLY out there, what's your answer?

Answer 4

It mainly because of your age I think. When I was a teenager my mom used to talk about me being in a phase regarding several things; my clothing choices, music tastes, etc... People don't take these ideas as seriously when you are a teenager. Partly it is true that you are going through an intense period of mental and psychological growth where you are exploring ideas as you become the adult you will end up being. It is true that these ideas may be ones you try on and ultimately discard. It is still not nice to disrespect you when you hold a point of view. They may wish to believe its a fad because they don't like it. In fact, if it is something you have deeply considered and feel is right then it is likely that is who you are and what you will believe.

Answer 5

I think that if you come from a religious family and community, when you take that step and stop believing it's generally considered just a phase because the people around you don't want to accept it.
In communities and families where religion plays no major key role, it would be considered a fad if anyone decided they believed in a certain religion.
As for not believing in God then break free and have your own mind! Don't let yourself be brainwashed into believing something that you don't. Stand up for your views and take in the views of others around you and as you become an adult you will be ever the more wiser. I believe being an atheist gives you an open mind because you are free to read into any religion with a skeptical mind and not be loyal to one.

Answer 6

Well, I'm 60 years old and I only recently realized that the most accurate description of my beliefs is atheism. But unfortunately, many people have a hard time recognizing that 15 can be an adult in many ways. It's odd, too, because they should remember what it was like when they were 15. Or maybe they do, and that's why they think you are not mature enough to make such decisions for yourself. Namely, because they weren't.

You said "so many people," so I assume you mean more than your parents. BTW, it shows maturity that you said "so many" rather than the typically exaggerated "everybody."

The problem, of course, is the concept of faith. Some people find it easy, others find it essentially impossible. I never could feel like anything other than a hypocrite reciting the creeds they gave us in church: "I believe" this and that, when in fact I did not. But my mother was a Methodist Sunday school teacher, so I tried. I really tried.

Faith is belief in the absence of evidence, or even in the face of evidence to the contrary. We would call someone crazy who used such a standard in scientific matters, or economic, or any other area of human endeavor. So why do we accept it in spiritual matters, which are arguably more important than anything?

"Face piles of trials with smiles
It riles them to believe
That you perceive
The web they weave.
And keep on thinking free."

The Moody Blues, on the Threshold of a Dream

Answer 7

The reason, dear, is that everyone believes that what they believe in is the right thing. And in your case, being an adolescent to everyone means you're being controlled by your hormones. It may be true coz when you're a teenager you trying to discover yourself and you just want to rebel. the aim is to make sure no one is controlling you and you're your own person. Religion is one of those areas where one wants to make their own choice. It's normal.

you see, I'm no atheist and II'm a Christian. I have reasons why I am and it's not necessarily coz I listened to pple. God showed me who He is. It's personal. So whatever decision you make it should be personal. It's YOUR life, anyway. I didn't jump to conclusions, I totally respect your views coz age ain't nothing at times. I really hope I didn't offend you in any way.

I hope you make a choice you'll be satisfied with always...

Take care.

Answer 8

I don't believe in god either - I have found that the majority of the people who shake their finger at me are so deep into their fantasy religion that they can't even wrap their minds around anything different. Don't pay attention to those who criticize you for your beliefs, just be sure to have an educated opinion about what you believe. As long as you can hold your ground they won't have much to say. Also, it's very important to educate yourself on religion as a whole. The more you know about it, the stronger your argument will be.

As for the religious folks go - well, religion is a crutch for people that need it... it works for so many people which is great. (just not for you or I). Lets just leave it at that.

Answer 9

Its dependent upon how you came to your specific conclusions in the first place really.

If you were beaten up by a bunch of angry radical Christians, forced to undergo some sort of mental trauma in their hands - chances are you'd end up as an atheist as a part of an act of rebellion.

If your choice was less emotional, more informed...chances are it isn't a phase at all.

BTW - this kind of explains why some atheists have very acrimonious relationship with their religious family members and why some are just fine.

Category I - It was War.

Category II - It was a parting of viewpoints.

Answer 10

More people of power are coming out about their disbelief in Gods. This is starting a bit of a trend, not a fad, that is making ordinary people less scared to be admit their own disbelief in deities. The atheist population has been much larger than polls say for as far back as historical times go. At times much lower because those who admitted they did not believe in certain Gods would be killed.

It is an upwards trend, and I hope more celebrities and politicians can come out and make the message clear that we are not defined by our beliefs and it is ok to think for yourself.

Answer 11

Don't take it personally. It's fairly common for many adults to assume that anything a 15 year old does is just a fad or a phase they are going through. Sometimes that is the case, sometimes not.

Why let it bother you what they think?