(July 27, 2015 at 12:14 pm)lkingpinl Wrote: At the age of 21 I became a Christian and found profound change and peace in my own life. I continue to pursue intelligent reasoning and do not shy away from opposing viewpoints.
With all respect, you 'found' a religion that was most available and familiar to you. Backs up our recent comments completely.
(July 27, 2015 at 12:14 pm)lkingpinl Wrote: I would be curious of the answers if it was posed to the opposing view. Most atheists I have conversed with indeed started out in religion and walked away from it because of religion itself (hurt by church, find church people fake) or evil and suffering in the world, or find religious atrocities both current historical etc. These are also emotion based reasons not to believe. Not saying that is why anyone here does not believe, just that in my personal experiences that is why I find most people claim to be atheist.
A bit of a mixture really, there are plenty of de-indoctrinated atheists here but a few, like Rob and myself, who never had to go through the pain and torment of childhood brainwashing. The former are advantaged in a deeper understanding of their position unlike myself - I don't have a proper appreciation of the whole process.
Which is the better position depends on your outlook but I would hazard a guess that most deconverts would have preferred not to have gone through the ordeal?
I have no emotional reasons to not believe in any of your gods, it's purely a need for facts instead of myths. Simple as that really.
