How old were you when you became an Atheist?

Question

Please give your age now
and age of inlightment.

Answer 1

At birth.

My first visit to a church service around age four had me wondering how people could believe in the supernatural. Being forced to pray in school only amused me until Abington vs. Schempp struck down organized prayer. I just took things as they came, was not a boat rocker as a child and continued to attend church to please my parents.

I later attended a theology school just to see if there was something I had missed. Nope.

Answer 2

I didn't become one. I always was one. Discussion with my Arab Grandpa and my Dad made me curious, and sceptical, about religion. Going to Sunday Schools and Church with mates, and "religious instruction" at school from various priests and ministers who seemed quite ignorant about the Bible (especially the Old Testament which I loved) or religious history, and didn't seem aware of even the existence of most other religions outside Judaism and Islam (about which they also knew zilch) only served to strengthen my atheism - and my curiosity about reality and wisdom. But I did pursue my curiosity about religion through extensive reading and with various mentors into my 20's including Chinese Taoists, Catholic monks, The Archbishop of Canterbury Fisher, a good friend who had studied for the priesthood and could read Aramaic originals etc, another who was Abbott at a C of E monastery, and finally in my 40'w Tibettan Buddhists monks and a wonderful nun - from whom I learned that the European translations of Buddhism etc I had read in my youth and consequently dismissed Buddhism as nihilistic and superstitious were largely theistic superficial garbage. So enlightenment? In four parts. First the rejection of the supernatural at least by five y/o - second some understanding of human psychosis progressively from teens to 30's - third the insights of Buddhism - and fourth, perhaps still to come though I've no idea what it might be. Enlightenment is never final. It's a continuing evolving process of demolition and construction. That's the joy of it, which the religionists don't understand. And that's why, at 76, I find my own comfort with both my own opinions, and ignorance, somewhat alarming! Can there really be no more to discover beyond unheard fantasies; no cherished convictions to lose? Or is that my last delusion, which so many mistake for enlightenment? The end is letting go. And I did that long ago, except for curiosity, compassion, and love.

Answer 3

Depends. You could go from the time I became Agnostic and verging on Atheist, or from the time that I became a true Atheist and admitted it finally.

Agnostic: 14-15
Atheist: 16

I am actually a New Age Atheist, meaning I believe in New Age ideas (healing, energy work, Indigos, etc.), but not in a higher power. It may seem very short of a time to be declaring this, but I am currently 16. I went on a spiritual journey when I turned 13 to discover the right beliefs for me.

Answer 4

I am 16 now and I'm not quite sure when I became an atheist. At around 12 or 13 I didn't beleive but I didn't start calling myself an atheist untill I was 14 or 15.

Answer 5

I was 12

Answer 6

5, 7, 10, 11, 15,17, 21, 40, 52 - presently 54 and still atheist

Gaps in between filled with exploring buddhism, wicca, spiritualism. Funnily enough never got attracted by christianity - unless you count the time I lusted after a pentacostal chick - what a waste!

Answer 7

I'm not sure of the exact time, though I think it was between the ages of 7 and 10 that I actually stopped believing. I only admitted it to myself when I was around 13. That was two years ago.

Answer 8

When I was seven I first heard of the Invisible Sky Critter (ISC) concept - I was amazed that adults believed in imaginary creatures.
I am still amazed.

I was one of the lucky ones - I was brought up by atheist parents who were brought up by atheist parents.
That is NOT to say the told me there was NO ISC - that issue never came up.

I've been interested in Religions and their psychology and that of their victims since I was about ten.
At 61 I am still interested but now I tend to point and laugh at them more.
.

Answer 9

I was atheist at birth. Or when i stopped believing in Santa at the age of 6 if Santa counts as a deity. 15.

Answer 10

I am 25 now and I became an atheist earlier this year, maybe a month or two before I turned 25.

Answer 11

Probably about 14-15, if I remember correctly. I maintained that view for more than 30 years until life and circumstance showed me that I had missed something. My general belief is that the atheist is often closer to finding the real God than the conventionally devout (who accept belief based on the authorities in their life instead of trying to find out for themselves).

I would not recommend that you change your mind until you have good reason to.

lwk2431

http://lwk2431.wordpress.com