Theists, what do you think led people away from your religion?

Question

I personally find atheism better, more logical than a religous lifestyle. I've been atheist for 8 yrs and before that I was raised roman-catholic, then protestant, and went Buddhist all on my own(no bad life experiences or anything). I am even curious to learn about Islam.

So, what do you think led people like me away from your religion? Would they choose atheism or another religion? What other factors are there besides society and family?

Edit: Sin? Pride? Please explain.

Merry christmas to all!

Edit (again): Sorry dodo, I am an atheist, I know there are no gods, and I am not seeking any (or religion for that fact). However it is simplest and respectful to assume a different point of view regarding other's religion or faiths, this is ti avoid misinterpretations and bias. So keep this of a personal level and answer the question please?

Answer 1

When I was a full church goer and super active in the Roman Catholic church I used to think that people were atheists out of ignorance, rebellion or just boredom.

Now, after searching many years for my personal truth, I have found that I was a Roman Catholic out of ignorance, family tradition and fear.

I have nothing against any religion or belief, but I hate it when people criticize atheists because most, as you and I, have searched to no ends for truth. I personally am still searching, but at a much happier, healthier place spiritually than I ever was.

Answer 2

I believe it is because the teachings of the Christian religion are contrary to what you want to do. I can only comment on Christianity as it is the only religion I have studied thoroughly. I believe that a person will find things in their religion that are disparaging to their lifestyle, so they decide that they need another religion. So they search and search and say, "Well, if God doesn't like what I am doing, I just won't believe in Him anymore." They then spend all of their free time trying to convince people that religion is a lie.

Answer 3

Well, I can tell you what happened to me. I had always been skeptical of Christianity. I was that kid in Sunday school asking all the questions and driving my teacher nuts. For years, no one could answer my questions.

When I was about thirteen, my skepticism started extending towards other religions. I had already studied mythology (Egyptian mostly, though I had started studying Greek and Roman mythology as well), and I saw how those had ended up. What made Christianity any different?

On top of that, I saw a lot of hypocrisy in the church.

So basically what led me away from Christianity and towards atheism was too many unanswered questions, and too much hypocrisy.

But the story doesn't end there, at least not for me. I continued to search. I couldn't be happy just settling on atheism, and not studying as much as I could. By continuing to study, and keep an open mind, I became a Christian one year ago.

Answer 4

I think the problem lies not in the religion itself, but the people setting the example for the religion. I'm Christian, and I think people look at some so called Christians and see hypocracy. It's important to know that "people" are always going to be flawed. You can't look to people for the answers, you have to look to God. Yes, that seems kind of backward, considering that if you don't believe to begin with, then you aren't going to be able to have a relationship with God, but you first have to take that step in wanting to believe, and praying to believe in order to start the process.

Also, I think when things don't turn out the way we want them to, we blame God or religion thinking that it's not working. The key is- it's not about us. (Dispite the fact that we'd like to think so.) It doesn't really matter whether you believe or not- the universe still functions, you know? I'm meaning this with respect and kindness. Religion isn't the answer- it's more of people creating rules and ceremonies for their own form of workship. You can't depend on people in the end, since people don't have the power of God. So, society and family etc. .. will always lead you away from your beliefs. It's the very nature of pride and love of yourself- a personal relationship with God is the only thing that works- and living for His will instead of pursuing your own goals and dreams.

Answer 5

For me it was just simply that I could not live up to what they wanted (perfection) and I constantly lived under a cloud of guilt. I also hated the hypocrisy, I was being told to act one way yet I saw the elders and their children doing the exact opposite. I think religion concentrates too much on man made rules rather than simply what is in the bible, you do not need to follow a religion to live a decent life, the morals in the bible are also good for non-religious people.

Answer 6

i know for me its always been the search for TRUTH. i was raised catholic, and was very devout as a child, but once i got older, and once i started experiencing LIFE and all the crap that comes with it, i started questioning everything that i was taught. don't get me wrong, the catholic religion is still one that seems very "romantic" (for lack of better words) to me, and i still read the bible here and there. but once i started noticing how f u c k e d up people are out there, i realized that WE are the ones that control our lives not some god or son of god that a book talks about. if anything, i am still kind of devout to saints (which i know is kind of hypocritical in a sense) but before i get all you Christians jumping down my throat telling me I'm lost or what not, my way of "believing" and/or "worshiping" keeps ME happy, and in the end, i think that's all that matters right?

Answer 7

I pray that your quest is not over. You ought to give some thought to further exploring an old fashioned fundamental Baptist Church. It is not protestant in history (contrary to what you may have been told).

The natural mind cannot conceive the things of God. They are foolishness to him. This is what you describe in your own life.

God has made Himself known, but He is very strict about requiring faith. He will not prove Himself. But He is available to those who call upon Him.

I have never know those who genuinely understood God to wander. There is a difference between what a man can understand with his mind, and what can be understood by faith from the heart.

God bless you in your journey. May you find the Way the Truth and the Life.

Answer 8

For me, it was a laziness to study or understand my religion, and simply to many other things going on to give it any thought or priority. Let the faith drop more through negligent then persuasion. Simple show no reason for it.

It took a intellitual challenge from a Christian couple, who got me to look at the evidence, study, and think that brought me back to the Christian faith. When I actually looked at it honestly, the evidence and the answers were all there.

Answer 9

Simple the Abrahamic false "god". His followers burned our texts, killed our people, and their angels bound our Gods. The result? The pain, disease and suffering in the world along with all true spirituality, and knowledge all but completely destroyed. No wonder so many people are atheists in this great age of science. The scientific truth at least is coming out.

Answer 10

what's the alternative? the religion of the atheists, is yet an decision perception...if that is embraced through fact the authentic gospel etc...then that's a faith. have a brilliant day from the united states of a.