How long have you been an atheist?

[The_Flying_Skeptic]

For 5 years, since I was 14, I think. I was very confused about the universe at 14. I had a lot of delusions... i believed that there was destiny and for a while I even believed that a god died for me. I don't know exactly what changed me... someone here mentioned 'the meaning of words' (i gave him kudos) and I think the meaning of words played a big role in my becoming atheist since a lot of words have no meaning in dualism (the substance that isn't substance for example). Richard Carrier has a whole chapter on the meaning of words in his book 'Sense and Goodness without God: A Defense of Metaphysical Naturalism'. I think another factor in my becoming atheist was my best friend, who was three years older than me, was trying to find out which philosophy best described reality (he might not have thought about his search for truth that way but that's what he was doing). Finally, I was reading some books on psychology and neurobiology at the time that may have been the culprits that killed my lingering dualism and belief in destiny (which may be a dualit related belief).

edit: accidently said monism instead of dualism a couple times. i think it's right now...