Most of the time you don't have to worry about a No True Scotsman, because they'll say something like, "I used to be an atheist. I was always mad at god. Yada, yada, yada..." Usually they make it so obvious that it's just a misguided, cheap debating tactic that you're completely justified in calling them out on it.

They claim to be former atheists because they think it adds to their credibility when in truth it just makes them more of a laughing stock.

I never met one saying that. But then again, I hardly ever discussed religion or it's absence. In my parts it's just not part of any discussions. Sometimes with close friends, but usually religion isn't of any importance one way or the other.

(February 26, 2015 at 6:21 pm)Nestor Wrote: It's strange that the "former atheists" never seem concerned with the critical analysis of faith that current atheists are....

We've already done the heavy lifting, so we find little point in revisiting the issues.

(February 26, 2015 at 6:11 pm)Dystopia Wrote: 2 - Why do people become atheists and then go back to theism? Seriously, I sometimes post in a deist forum and I've met people who were atheists for 20-30-40 years and then quitted and became deists. I'm guessing the same happens with atheists who become new born Christians, the list goes on... I cannot understand. After what I've searched and found I cannot imagine myself going back to theism (even deism) because I know it's either false or the probability of it being true is very low.

That sums up my view. However, for me irreligious deism is better than religious theism since it doesn't require blatantly dumb claims. It would not be too hard to defend deism philosophically compared to theism; deists don't have to make a mountain of assumptions about divine attributes.

My experience with "former atheists" is that the majority are liars or weren't atheists for the same reason most of us are.

When they start stating matter-of-factly exactly how atheists act and think you know they're liars.

(February 26, 2015 at 9:30 pm)ChadWooters Wrote:

(February 26, 2015 at 6:21 pm)Nestor Wrote: It's strange that the "former atheists" never seem concerned with the critical analysis of faith that current atheists are....

We've already done the heavy lifting, so we find little point in revisiting the issues.

That's a great way to never learn anything regarding a subject ever again. It's also a good indication of a conversion for bad reasons; the truth has nothing to fear from further examination, after all.

(February 26, 2015 at 6:11 pm)Dystopia Wrote: 2 - Why do people become atheists and then go back to theism? Seriously, I sometimes post in a deist forum and I've met people who were atheists for 20-30-40 years and then quitted and became deists. I'm guessing the same happens with atheists who become new born Christians, the list goes on... I cannot understand. After what I've searched and found I cannot imagine myself going back to theism (even deism) because I know it's either false or the probability of it being true is very low.

I'm not sure anyone ever does become an atheist then return to faith. I think they may reach a crisis in their faith that leads to doubt, but not outright dis-belief. They attach the term "atheist" to that crisis then proclaim that they were "saved" again, or whatever theistic bullshit term they decide to use.

Either that, or they're lying through their little christer teeth in a vain attempt to garner respect.

Wouldn't be surprised if many of these former atheists just went through some little tiff with god. That would explain why they so often wonder if we're atheists because of anger with god.

(February 26, 2015 at 11:27 pm)whateverist Wrote: Wouldn't be surprised if many of these former atheists just went through some little tiff with god. That would explain why they so often wonder if we're atheists because of anger with god.

Most former atheists tend to have the belief first or if that they are lairs.
Then again it would make sense for a theist out of anger to turn atheist for some reason i do not know why then after awhile are not mad at god anymore.

Most of the very few "former atheists" I've come across have experienced some form of tragedy in their lives, followed by a mental breakdown, shortly before the conversion to a devout religious person. Most of them did not even consider themselves atheists until after they've converted - rather "non-practicing Christians", or some similar non-committed denomination. The "former atheist" badge they adopted is only supposed to emphasize the completeness of change in their world-view, as well as advertise deep contempt for their old beliefs and sometimes past actions.
I also know of a number of people, who claimed atheism for political reasons, to attain better positions in communist parties and governments. After the fall of communism in the 90's - most of them "came out" as devout Christians, because that's what became a desirable "trait" in a politician.