2007-10-24 07:34:53 · 33 answers · asked by subprimelendor 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think it just depends on what they beleive for themselves.
i am 15, i have been raised as a catholic, and im now atheist
2007-10-24 07:43:20 · answer #1 · answered by NO COMMENT. 3 · 3⤊ 3⤋
I was raised catholic, but I'm not an athiest, I'm a wiccan. The choice for me was how stifled I felt by the religion. It was always so negative "now this is my experience, may not be yours" but no matter what we were celebrating, it could be a birth, we were always told what dirty sinners we were and I got tired of feeling judged all the time, not matter what I did, it was never good "enough" in my mind, so I converted to a religion that does not judge me, promotes healthy living and being and where the Goddesses and Gods are on my level. They make mistakes as we all do! That is just my reasons!
2007-10-24 07:53:49 · answer #2 · answered by Starry Pluto ॐ 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I was raised Protestant but now atheist...I have noticed quite a few atheists say they were raised Catholic. I've also noticed that just meeting others.
I think it's b/c they're the most similar to the 'original' church and since it's dated and doesn't always apply to this day & age, I guess it's easier for them to see the hypocrisy. Since I was raised in a 'it's up to interpretation' society, it took a while since some phrase or another was always twisted. It annoys me now to no end when a Christian says something is taken 'out of context'.
2007-10-24 07:48:18 · answer #3 · answered by strpenta 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The only connection would be population, meaning there are simply more atheists that were originally catholics because there were more catholics than any other religion.
Catholics are only the dominating religion in certain countries however, mind you. Muslims have the most followers worldwide I believe. If there are more former catholic atheists than there are former Muslim atheists I could only speculate that the reason is that their countries of origin are much less tolerant towards atheists.
2007-10-24 07:48:00 · answer #4 · answered by bo75007 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
In SOME places, Roman Catholicism can be expressed as an "orthopraxic" belief. In other words, the important thing is that you go through the motions correctly, NOT that you believe it or experience it personally.
For example, not eating fish on Fridays is supposed to be about suffering and self-denial -- a personal self-reflection on your life and heart. For a lot of Catholics, it's a good excuse to eat lobster or hit the seafood buffet every week. They experience no loss or self-denial -- but they DID IT RIGHT and therefore everyone is happy... [supposedly] even God.
That's orthopraxy -- you don't have to believe it, you just have to do it.
Many people who are raised in that sort of "superstitious" setting eventually ask, "Why am I doing something I don't believe?" and they leave religion entirely.
Of course, the opposite is also true... lots of people get a quick fix from religion (of whatever sort) and when the emotions fade they abandon their beliefs.
Religious beliefs need to be consistent with your VALUES and GOALS; they should never coerce people into obeyings rules and perform meaningless rituals because of guilt.
2007-10-24 07:54:07 · answer #5 · answered by C. Douglas T 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I was raised Catholic and around the time they told me I was going to be confirmed, I examined my beliefs and decided I didn't believe any of this stuff.
I think it has something to do with people using their brains instead of just following the flock.
The "Big 3" (Jewish, Christian, Muslim) all came about at a time when people though the earth was flat, and the sun revolved around us. Much has changed since then. Why not the belief in an invisible entity in the clouds? It's inherent in the religions themselves that you don't question any of it because anyone with half a brain could figure out that it's a load of hooey.
2007-10-24 07:44:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
I am sure there are more Buddhist atheists than ex-catholic atheists as it's an atheist region anyway. I am sure most atheists in China never were catholic either.
2007-10-24 07:38:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Haha, being one of the Atheists raised Catholic... I guess I fit a trend. That doesn't mean there's a connection.
2007-10-24 07:41:00 · answer #8 · answered by peroxidekween 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋
I was raised a weird mix of Southern Baptist and Catholic.
2007-10-24 07:59:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most atheists were raised Christian, period. There's your connection.
2007-10-24 07:38:27 · answer #10 · answered by ??????? 3 · 4⤊ 2⤋