Atheists, tell me, a Roman Catholic: why should I become an atheist?

[Brian37]

John Lennon was a very empathetic individual, but no, sorry that is not a good reason to reject a god claim. That would only demonstrate the hypocrisy of religion claiming to be about peace when he really did. That is still an emotional appeal, all be it a good one advocating natural morality and empathy and not superstition.

No, the core reason to accept or reject any claim is evidence.  Knowing that other mammals show empathy for partners and family and young, points to where morality is really coming from, evolution. Since evolution is proven fact, while John Lennon DOES represent the good side of our species, evolution is still a much better reason to reject god claims. So is the age of the planet, sun, galaxy and universe.

To postulate a magic sky hero as being the factory boss of a 13.8 billion year old universe, as to which we are a mere blip in time in a vast universe mostly hostile to life, to me is absurd. It makes much more sense to me to know humans love a comforting lie which is easier to accept than our finite reality.

"Imagine" is a great song though, it does convey the best in our species when we favor empathy over tribalism.

It was good enough for me at 13. I did not think then or now to ask you or anyone else what they thought.

Way to miss the point. I like him too, I like that song too, but that still is not the core reason anyone should reject a god claim. Lack of evidence is.