Maybe sometimes you can, but it's not as simple as just wanting to believe/not believe. It takes either convincing arguments, or something like brain washing, or extremely strong emotion.
The devout Christians are often raised into it. Either way they spend time reading a holy book, in Church with others who believe or say they do, sometimes they listen to Christian music in place of what most people do, read Christian books, even watch Christian movies.
Some atheists stop believing because they see the immorality that is often present in Churches, their doctrines, manipulating people to get their money by reinterpreting scripture, homophobia, transphobia, blind reinforcement of tradition, etc. Or reasoned arguments, some of which concern these things and why god I supposedly supporting them.
Maybe a religious authority said or did something that personally offended them or harmed them. Maybe a mix of these things.
Even when it seemed like somebody decided in an instant to believe or disbelieve, the seeds were likely planted long ago.
The devout Christians are often raised into it. Either way they spend time reading a holy book, in Church with others who believe or say they do, sometimes they listen to Christian music in place of what most people do, read Christian books, even watch Christian movies.
Some atheists stop believing because they see the immorality that is often present in Churches, their doctrines, manipulating people to get their money by reinterpreting scripture, homophobia, transphobia, blind reinforcement of tradition, etc. Or reasoned arguments, some of which concern these things and why god I supposedly supporting them.
Maybe a religious authority said or did something that personally offended them or harmed them. Maybe a mix of these things.
Even when it seemed like somebody decided in an instant to believe or disbelieve, the seeds were likely planted long ago.
