A question for Atheists?

Question

When was the first time you decided to become an atheist, and why? Also, what do you think about those of us that do believe in a higher being and so on?

Answer 1

Not so much decided, as driven to it.

By bible study, and reseach in philosophy, cosmology, history... it took about six years to work through all the different points of view and arguments concerning the nature of the world, and of humanity.

It was in trying to teach the bible to others that I gradually realised I couldn't hold that it was true in the sense that it clearly claimed for itself *and* keep a clear conscience.

I can understand why many people are theists. The demographics are also clear: most people believe/practice whatever they were raised with by their family and or society.
Freethinkers are in the minority. And not often praised and encouraged for that: there's an awful lot of communal reinforcement for whatever the majority belief is, for any locale.

Answer 2

I wish it was a decision... although I don't think it would change anything.

I think I started realizing everything was just a story at about 13 when I was in confirmation class. Reading the Bible was a big part of the class, and memorizing passages and explinations as well. In thoroughly reading the Bible, my mind registered it for what it was and thus- rejected it as false.

I considered myself an agnostic for quite a while afterward, however I don't think saying the word atheist would have been acceptable with my parents at the time- and I'm sure this may have contributed to at least what I was willing to claim. BUT- after reading a little more, then reading some more on the bus, then some more when I got home, and so on- I came to terms with the fact that we probably are alone in this case, as a deity isn't really all that likely to exist.

So full blown atheist around 18 but I probably could get away with 16. Whatever....

Answer 3

I started question things I was spoon fed and by the age of 12 I realized the Bible and the Catholic Church was a bunch of nonsense . I have been learning the truth through science and logic and empathy ever since .
I think people who believe in a religion are brainwashed . Some less so , some more so .
I can understand a belief in a "god" depending upon the definition . Sagan's wasn't too bad : The sum total of all things in and outside of the known universe .
I can not understand god always was , anymore than I can understand time or space always was .
I can not understand someone WANTING to believe the god of the Bible is real . He is so cruel , vengeful , jealous , murdering , incompetent , and so forth . The Muslim God is just as bad .

Answer 4

Like I've said on here before, I was born atheist, and never believed the stories my grandmother told me about her version of the universe's creation. I really could not care less what someone believes as long as they are not pushing it in my face etc. The belief that there is a higher being isn't completely irrational, just the silly folk who try to pass this belief off as the truth.

Answer 5

I suppose around the age that I stopped believing in Santa I also realised I had no belief in supernatural gods. I did'nt consciously decide, I just had natural immunity to the indoctrination and brainwashing that many people seem to fall prey to.

I feel very sorry for believers, they have been affected with a cultural mind virus that prevents them from thinking rationally.

What do you think about those that believe in a different god to you. What about the ones who claim that YOU will be condemned to hell because you dont have the same belief as them? Do you think they might be correct or do you think they are deluding themselves?

All gods are imaginary.

Answer 6

When was the first time you decided to become an atheist, and why?

It wasn't a choice or a decision it was a conclusion after years of research... Why? Research...


Also, what do you think about those of us that do believe in a higher being and so on?

To each their own, simply don't preach to me after being told "No thanks, I am not interested.".... That's the cue to stop. not the cue to tell me I am going to hell or any of the other responses, other than "Maybe another time have a nice day." and we will have no problems...

Answer 7

I was born .... I have no choice ...... therefore I was an atheist.

You can believe in a higher being. Actually some atheist also do not oppose the idea of a higher being, but these atheist do not subscribe to the idea of a SUPREME being.

Answer 8

In 6th grade, in a Lutheran school, we were learning about dinosaurs one day.
I raised my hand at one point and exclaimed, "But Mrs. Peck, if the earth is only 5000 years old, then why did the discovery channel tell me that dinosaur bones are millions of years old."

She shrugged and said, "A test of faith."
I wasn't happy with that.
I asked my mom when I came home, and she said, "Satan put them there."

From that day forward, my faith was always shaky.

A couple years ago I spent my freshman year of college at Indiana Wesleyan University...a VERY christian school.
It didn't take me long to finally conclude that the followers of Jesus Christ really didn't live more "moral" lives (according to the bible) than anyone else I knew. I've never been laid so many times in such a short period of time in my life.

I was miserable, and I left.

Then I picked up "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins.

And everything made sense...finally.

The only thing that kept the thread hanging so long was parental pressures.

My mom cried 6 months ago, when I finally told her I was an atheist.

I assured her that I'm a much happier person now.

And I really am.


For people who believe in a higher power, good for them if it fills the hole we all feel.
I just get mad sometimes when they try to convince me to believe in their higher power; chances are I know more about it than they do. I've spent most of my life very confused.

Answer 9

Wrong way round!!!!

You are not born with a belief in anything.

Without parents instructing you to believe in Christianity you would not know about it!!!!

Therefore everyone is born atheist which simply means that they do not believe in a god - any god - not just yours.

Many people do turn from Christianity and the church and Christians seem to want to hide from the fact that it is not the religion they are walking away from but the extremists and hate mongers!

Answer 10

Um, I never was really religious and while growing up I was exposed to various religions. That left me with a few options:
- this place is crawling with deities
- everyone is wrong but one group
- they are all talking about the same deity
- there is no such thing

(a) seemed right out, (b) seemed unlikely as they all bring the same lack of evidence, there is no religion clearly more valid than all the others, (c) seemed to be precluded by the fact that many gods have incompatible attributes and desires, which left me with (d).

As for what I think of god-believers; I think you're wrong, but as long as you don't go around hurting others in any way, go for it.