Where you ATHEISTS taught to be a non believer, or did you just decide to...

[Zoro Man]

...be an ATHEIST ? Good question. My cousin Nic, said that he was taught to be
an Atheist after listening to his professor. Now this man grew
up in a Pentacostal Church. Then he went out into the world
and became brainwashed by society. I think he was angry
at how much neglect he faced in his lifetime, so many
problems. He virtually gave up on life. Had millions of
dollars and then he lost almost everything. AND decided
it was much easier to not believe in any spiritual deity.
That way he would not have to put his "trust" in something
he could not see. But anyway, I hear this all the time from
some of you guys. I was taught that what I believed in is
wrong...... So I became an Atheist. Or I never believed
in any deity ever. So what is your story ? Was this a
decision or were you brainwashed ? Best answer wins. =)

[numbnuts222]

born that way

[Zen Pirate]

Religion stopped making sense. At first I wanted to believe and went looking for evidence to back up the claims. It didn't work out. I stopped being a believer in Gods the same way I stopped believing in Santa. I just realized it wasn't true. It really is not a choice anymore than an adult believing or not believing in Santa is a choice, it had no supporting evidence and the claims were out of touch with reality as I know it. Some atheists never believed. We are individuals so each may arrive via a different path.

[River 2 Electric Boogaloo]

I'm just doing it because I'm spoiled, and rebelling against my parents and their religion.

At least that's what I am told...

[tw9165]

I honestly one day, was thinking about it, and I thought to myself, I really don't think there is a god....the idea of believing in it, seemed about as pure as believing in Santa Claus. I was about a Freshman in highschool at the time. I was baptized catholic, went to classes, had my 1st communion, than only attened church on holidays till about 16 years old.
It was just like an epiphany to me...I just didn't believe in god, I knew I hated going to church all my life, I couldn't tell you one thing about the bible, asside from, In the Beginning... so I really feel like I was never even suggested the idea of atheism by anyone, nor am I sure thats what I'm classified as, I just don't think there is some dude watching over us, and saying u go here , and u go here when we die....i wuold like to think there is some thing, some kind of greater force, but i sorta need to see it, or FEEL it, like believers do, and well, I just don't . I also don' think you should have to be taught, to feel god, it should be natural if it were really tehre...so thumbs up to the believers and the non-believers.

[s1lvermidnight]

Sorry, but this question is why I do not adhere to any "mainstream" religion. I can not abide a belief that holds any other belief as being the result of "brainwashing". Here is the biggest problem with organized religion, none of them realize it doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you believe. If you break it down into basic, generic terms, all (well most) mainstream religions believe the same thing. That is, there is a deity that controls them, judges them, and if they are found worthy, they are granted access to a place better than this one. The problem is, they all feel their details are right, and everyone else's are wrong. This makes them arrogant and egotistic, neither of which have I ever found to be highly held qualities by their respective deity (and I have been studying the different religions for over 25 years).