Atheists not only trust authorities like Theists do, they trust their own reasoning capabilities. For example, they believe so and so is using fallacious reasoning, but they trust they themselves have used proper reasoning in rejecting "proofs" or "evidence" in favor of God. They realize others are in error but they will have faith they are not in error.
They also have to have faith in free-will to function. They also have to have faith in praise and value.
Perhaps it's not all about "thinking for yourself". Perhaps we need to discuss with experts, debate with one another, get feed back to our own thoughts....
I think a little distrust in one own's reasoning capabilities is also healthy and there needs to be balanced approach with regards to learning from authority and thinking for yourself.
They also have to have faith in free-will to function. They also have to have faith in praise and value.
Perhaps it's not all about "thinking for yourself". Perhaps we need to discuss with experts, debate with one another, get feed back to our own thoughts....
I think a little distrust in one own's reasoning capabilities is also healthy and there needs to be balanced approach with regards to learning from authority and thinking for yourself.