Why did you become an Atheist?

[kingerman]

Why did you become an Atheist?/Agnostic/etc. This is directed towards atheists who were formerly theists. Please share your story. And remember, don't give me answers like ''there's no evidence for God's existence''. Thanks.

[Kuhnada29]

I used to be atheist. But the past couple of years I've come across to much evidence to suggest the opposite. It's becoming increasingly obvious that everything that is in existence comes from intelligent design...and No I'm not a Christian. Spirituality is not religion. I believe we are grains of sand..and the beach is God. The divine. One consciousness.

[LucidFlanders]

Since you said Agnostic. Here is my story. I never truely was religious, although i was forced to go to church every Sunday (Christian church), it got to the point i started going weekly for a little while to this place where alot of Christians talk, and a minister is here. It was not a church, but he was talking like it was, but sometimes i go with the kids and we run around the building inside where bats and animals were at. Anyway i stopped going, and have not looked back to getting into religion. So...my dog dies, and it effected me SO BLOODY MUCH!!! i was trying, trying to find out what happens when you die, then i stumbled to a spiritualist forum called psychics.co.uk where spiritualists and psychics and stuff go, i tried for a while to get my answer, even went into their chatroom where they have readings with mediums who pick a person saying a spirit is here to communicate. The more i read, the more things started to make sense for me, and i started to believe. Eventually i find DV, and slowly i start going from extremly 1 sided to understanding other sides and being able to be open to whatever unless it was the flying spaghetti monster. I started to slowly become more of an Aetheist over the course of many months, i started stop being able to see 2 sides and started falling back to 1 sided, as my other side seemed to dissapear. I started to REALLY sink lower and lower without being able to find my other side, i could literally feel myself start to change bit by bit because i lost a part of me it seemed like, i found out once i could open my eyes that i can't be away from that, and i was away from that and everything felt wrong, i guess i was not whole. Today i can't live without being open to whatever, which is why some of the things i say may not make sense except to me. Anyway, seems like 1 day out of nowhere i seemed to find it, and it was funny because i was like "screw it why should i care", and since then i really have not cared. It feels like nothing anyone can say can break me, and i've felt this way for a long time now. Aslong as i have my choice to seeing more then 1 way of something, before i used to believe everything i read, but i guess over time i have grown up about it, but i may still ask for a scientific thing to things rather then as people say "majicksz" side. I can imagine things, but my stance remains Agnostic, because i don't know. But the only time i think of this stuff is when i visit DV, offline or other places this is the last thing i think about. BTW my thoughts on close minded or open minded is simple in my eyes. If you can't think outside the box and never even try, i call you close minded, if you can be open to anything and everything, i call you open minded. So if i call someone close minded, or open minded, this is my meaning of it.

[Unelias]

I was born one. This wasn't a wiseguy thing, it is a fact. When I was born, I wasn't baptized. Somehow succeeded in avoiding the brainwashing (which was quite heavy) in my childhood and kept it to myself. In youth, I didn't go to the confirmation like 99% of all the kids, if only for sake of having good and fun camp week with friends. Now, as an adult, I have matured enought to reason why my instinct was a good choice to me back then. I have even carried it further to call myself a nihilist. Most of the guys who went to the confirmation have resigned from church now. I was adamant back then, not fickle with my determination like they were. In my youth, I spent much of my time to hate religion, merely because it was so forceful and it was a heavy burden for a child to be rounded out of the circles because he didn't join the church nor shared mutual beliefs. Now my hate remains only for the things religion has commited in the past or for people who utilize religion to justificate their actions. Personal faith doesn't bug me. People are free to belief what they want, but my patience runs out very quickly if they open their mouth to preach or tell about their beliefs, unless specifically asked, of course. Personally, I think all faith should be abolished and people should start living for themselves. Not for deities or afterlife. My polite answer.

[Xei]

And remember, don't give me answers like ''there's no evidence for God's existence''. Uh, surely that's the basic answer that the vast majority of atheists have? Using reason instead of accepting the culture around you? My parents are secular. God just isn't something we think to talk about. I went to a Christian school where we prayed and things but I never took it seriously.

[Scatterbrain]

I was raised Christian, from the very start in "sunday school" I would frequently throw some questions to which the "teacher" couldn't give me an answer to (well, at least a proper answer). As time went by I realized more and more that I was wasting my time, the people at the church had nothing to teach me, they were just parroting interpretations of what ignorant man wrote in a book centuries ago. When I was 12/13 I stopped going to church and turned to Deism, but gradually I started to see that there weren't any valid arguments for the existence of a god (in good part by watching many discussions here in RS). And so I've been Atheist since i was 16/17 years old.

[ninja9578]

No one become's an atheist, people become theists. Everyone is born atheist, religion is taught.

[O'nus]

Why did you become an Atheist?/Agnostic/etc. This is directed towards atheists who were formerly theists. Please share your story. And remember, don't give me answers like ''there's no evidence for God's existence''. Thanks. This is not a very fair question. Firstly, everyone is born Atheist because, in its strict definition, it is the lack of belief in something. Adding convictions or moralities to it muddles it up into something else that is not Atheism. If you really want to know, I consider myself to be Humanist Existentialist - but I can't say that very simply, now can I? Furthermore, I was raised Anglican. Unfortunately, I never found evidence for God. The honest reason I always give is, "I have seen no reason to believe in God". If I ever did, I would! Is that so difficult? ~

[Black_Eagle]

I was born into a semi-religious family. My family on my mother's side were Christian while the family on my father's side were believers in Christianity, but did not feel the need to go to church. My mother used to tell me fragmented things about God and I naturally aligned myself with the Christian faith. We only went to church when we visited my grandparents on my mother's side. I always hated it. By 7th grade I began to have some serious doubts about God and clung to everything anybody said that supported the notion of God without thought. About at the end of 7th grade, with the constant expansion of my mind as I was going through puberty, I realized the irrationality of accepting every pro-God word I heard and let go of my belief. I considered myself an agnostic for awhile, but since there is no such thing as a plain agnostic, I was and still am classified as an agnostic atheist.

[khh]

Well, I was never brainwashed into religion at home. My parents never spoke much of it, and I think the religion we learned at school was mostly unbiased, though we did go to church once or twice a year. When we began learning religion in (roughly the equivalent of) junior high I got tired of it, and I started talking to people about it and actually given it some thought. Before this I hadn't even considered what my religious views were - the question never came up so I never needed to have an opinion about it. After giving it some thought I found out I didn't believe in God and when confirmation time came I decided I weren't going to do it. I guess it was around this time I learned my father wasn't religious. Still don't know if my mother is. And that's about the end of it.

[Ne-yo]

No one become's an atheist, people become theists. Everyone is born atheist, religion is taught. This is not a very fair question. Firstly, everyone is born Atheist because, in its strict definition, it is the lack of belief in something. I'm going to have to disagrees with both of these points. Everyone is not born atheist. A child simply does not have the knowledge capacity to make any type of "choice." Atheism is a doctrine that states that nothing exists but natural phenomena (matter), that thought is a property or function of matter, and that death irreversibly and totally terminates individual organic units. This definition means that there are no forces, phenomena, or entities which exist outside of or apart from physical nature, or which transcend nature, or are "super" natural, nor can there be. Humankind is on its own. The following definition of Atheism was given to the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Murray v. Curlett, 374 U.S. 203, 83 S. Ct. 1560, 10 L.Ed.2d (MD, 1963), to remove reverential Bible reading and oral unison recitation of the Lord's Prayer in the public schools. “Your petitioners are Atheists and they define their beliefs as follows. An Atheist loves his fellow man instead of god. An Atheist believes that heaven is something for which we should work now – here on earth for all men together to enjoy. An Atheist believes that he can get no help through prayer but that he must find in himself the inner conviction, and strength to meet life, to grapple with it, to subdue it and enjoy it. An Atheist believes that only in a knowledge of himself and a knowledge of his fellow man can he find the understanding that will help to a life of fulfillment. He seeks to know himself and his fellow man rather than to know a god. An Atheist believes that a hospital should be built instead of a church. An Atheist believes that a deed must be done instead of a prayer said. An Atheist strives for involvement in life and not escape into death. He wants disease conquered, poverty vanquished, war eliminated. He wants man to understand and love man. He wants an ethical way of life. He believes that we cannot rely on a god or channel action into prayer nor hope for an end of troubles in a hereafter. He believes that we are our brother's keepers; and are keepers of our own lives; that we are responsible persons and the job is here and the time is now.” Ref: Atheists.org Plain and simple a child simply doesn't know what religion is nor what are the fundamental properties of natural phenomena to make any type of decision. I refuse to believe that most atheist are closed minded like that. Most atheist I know of has searched extensively for God and found nothing, Universal Mind is a prime example. Which of the following is true for you? A) I have exhausted my investigation for God and I found nothing. So I still don't know, which means my beliefs has not changed. B) I have exhausted my investigation for God and I found nothing. I conclude that there is no God. C) I have never searched. The article also states.. He seeks to know himself and his fellow man rather than to know a god. This statement within itself is "choice" driven. How exactly can a child seek to know something he/she has no knowledge of? The bottom line is this, Kingerman is asking the right question. Atheism is a "choice", and a decision that's ultimately acted upon. It's not something we enter into when we are born. If anything, neither the concept of theism or atheism exist to a child's mind. In actuality you're born "weak agnosticism." Saying we are all born atheist just sounds ridiculous and silly. Atheism is just a lack of belief in a deity or gods. You're describing the feelings that have become associated with the word. You have a lack of belief in God or any deity because you've made an educated decision which more than likely lead you to the belief that a God or diety doesn't seem plausible or logical to you. How can a infant, toddler, or child make a positive evaluation as you have done, if they have no direct knowledge to propose any type of comprehensible decision? Is that not more than just weak agnosticism? There is no way that you have not made a type of reflection in your thinking which tells you that any theistic argument simply doesn't seem rational to you. That's why there is a difference in lacking belief, and understanding why some belief is implausible.

[Bonsay]

I'm going to have to disagrees with both of these points. Everyone is not born atheist. A child simply does not have the knowledge capacity to make any type of "choice." ...Therefore it lacks a belief in a god, therefore it is atheist.

[Ne-yo]

So which one best fits you Bonsay? A) I have exhausted my investigation for God and I found nothing. So I still don't know, which means my beliefs has not changed. B) I have exhausted my investigation for God and I found nothing. I conclude that there is no God. C) I have never searched.

[Bonsay]

So which one best fits you Bonsay? A) I have exhausted my investigation for God and I found nothing. So I still don't know, which means my beliefs has not changed. B) I have exhausted my investigation for God and I found nothing. I conclude that there is no God. C) I have never searched. On an emotional/intuitive/whatever level B), but I rationally operate with A). How can you determine what's valid and whats not valid if you've never educated yourself for both sides of the material that you're debating? How can you possibly know the validity of something you've never researched? If you are truly (C) then you're close-minded, which would be a contradiction for you if you want to incorporate your beliefs in Abiogenesis. The problem is that with education or indoctrination you form a world view as a child. ID-people say something like "A mitochondria is there to form usable energy for the cell, how can you not see the design in the purpose of there nano devices...". I just can't accept that, because my world view of the objective reality doesn't include any purpose or meaning we see in our everyday life, it is, as the name suggests, objective. I don't see that the mitochondria is in the cell so the cell has energy. The cell has the mitochondria because the ancestor of this cell managed to survive because of it's adaptation or characteristic. There is no purpose, things just happen. Magic has never been observed. The universe follows laws. I expect the universe to have followed laws billions of years ago, so it means that I can only conclude things based on logic. We know what we have, we know it can form naturally... why should I assume a unicorn formed everything at a point in the past?

[Maria92]

God, religion, deities, and the like are all human constructions. If a child is not educated on such subjects and remains relatively content throughout life, there is no need to search for or believe in such things. Ergo, those children born into relatively decent conditions (such that there is no need to question the cruelty of the world), that child can be considered to be "born" atheist, or at least agnostic. A-greek prefix for "without" theism-greek root for "religion" atheism-without religion C is the option that fits me.

[Ne-yo]

Yeah, so since I was never taught religion, I never really saw any valid arguments for the existence of a god. To this day, I see no valid arguments. How can you determine what's valid and whats not valid if you've never educated yourself for both sides of the material that you're debating? How can you possibly know the validity of something you've never researched? If you are truly (C) then you're close-minded, which would be a contradiction for you if you want to incorporate your beliefs in Abiogenesis.

[O'nus]

I'm going to have to disagrees with both of these points. Everyone is not born atheist. A child simply does not have the knowledge capacity to make any type of "choice." The OED claims; atheism /aythi-iz’m/ • noun the belief that God does not exist. Seeing as the OED is pretty much the authority on the matter, I will take that definition in its perfect stride. It is simple and to the point. All the other jargon you quoted is from a website dedicated to propaganda for Atheists. You should realize that there are people that want to expose and exploit everything; including beliefs. Atheism is nothing more than not having a belief in God; that is all. Otherwise, what you about the Flying Spaghetti Monster? Are you not an atheist for it too? Are you not also born that way? What are all of the other parallel attachments you could cling to FSM Atheism as you do regular Atheism? Of course, there different forms of every religious belief and all ideals. However, Atheism, in its strict definition, is incredibly simplistic; no belief in God. Arguably, all animals and things that are not human are Atheist. Edit; I should note that many many Atheists only "choose" to be Atheist due to lack of reason and evidence. I know that if there was clear and justifiable evidence, I would undeniably believe in God. ~

[Black_Eagle]

I'd like to remind everyone about the term agnostic and how it is not a middle ground between theism and atheism. That, by definition, as someone said earlier, is on a different level of meaning altogether. agnostic /agnostik/ • noun a person who believes that nothing can be known concerning the existence of God. • adjective relating to agnostics. There are also slightly varying definitions of atheist/atheism depending on where you look. I'd say the Oxford definition is a little too specific. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/atheist http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/atheism http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atheism If you go off those definitions, then I'd say babies can be classified as atheists.

[Ne-yo]

The OED claims; atheism /aythi-iz’m/ • noun the belief that God does not exist. Seeing as the OED is pretty much the authority on the matter, I will take that definition in its perfect stride. It is simple and to the point. ~ Is it okay if I can break this down because this seems to be pretty vague and it's not as simple as it appears as I've seen several atheist lean in various directions with regards to the true meaning of this and I know it can go various ways. Does this mean... A) lacking belief that the existence of God is true? or B) The state of just being totally and completely oblivious about something or having no cognizance of something? Unless I'm missing something else and if so feel free to elaborate. I would concede that B) would be more relevant to your position based off this statement. Otherwise, what you about the Flying Spaghetti Monster? Are you not an atheist for it too? Are you not also born that way? What are all of the other parallel attachments you could cling to FSM Atheism as you do regular Atheism? Arguably, all animals and things that are not human are Atheist. Do you think A) works better with animals and all things that are not human or B)?

[tnemrot]

Is it okay if I can break this down because this seems to be pretty vague and it's not as simple as it appears as I've seen several atheist lean in various directions with regards to the true meaning of this and I know it can go various ways. Does this mean... A) lacking belief that the existence of God is true? or B) The state of just being totally and completely oblivious about something or having no cognizance of something? Unless I'm missing something else and if so feel free to elaborate. I would concede that B) would be more relevant to your position based off this statement. Do you think A) works better with animals and all things that are not human or B)? They don't look mutually exclusive to me.

[tnemrot]

You stated that you lack the belief that the existence of God is true because you have a non-awareness, no knowledge of God. How is this possible? Better yet, Explain it to me then. What is a "lack of belief?" I don't, the animals and all things that are not human, remember we were talking about that? Do you think A) works better with animals and all things that are not human or B)? Now that I think about it, in some way, that's actually true, I don't know every definition of "God", therefore, I lack the belief that the existence of "God" is true because I have a non-awareness, no knowledge of "God". lol.

[Mond]

Some months ago I falled into a vicious circle: I belive that if god exists he not judge, not meddle to the happenings (in the earth), and not send holy marks, didnt make miracles, stay far away from us. The problem is i only belive that a god is exist if he prove it but it wouldnt be hapen. After all i have a little faith in afterlife, if gods and heavens dosent exist yet, we will gone create our own heavens if the humanity stay alive for long enough