Conversion from one dogma to another tends to be an easier transition than that of theist to athiest. People usually change religions because some part of the new religions dogma appeals to them. However going from the belief in something, to the belief in nothing is most often a big jump. As children most of us have some early idealism ingrained into us about god and angels. We see the imagery, read the fables, when a relative dies, people talk about prayer and heaven, so the realm of belief is a big part of us from an early age. Making the transition to atheism is a big move however, because you have to set aside all preconceived notions. You basically have to accept that human beings aren't special anymore, that you won't see grandma or grandpa again, and for most people, these are poignant hurdles to overcome.
For myself personally, it came down to existentialism. The knowledge that were it not for some cataclysm 65 million years ago, we in all likelihood would not exist was earthshattering at the time. Our existence became something of a stroke of luck, not some divine plan, not some ideological fallacy, but pure chance. It's a big step for most people, and I doubt any one book or speaker could take full responsibility for it.
For myself personally, it came down to existentialism. The knowledge that were it not for some cataclysm 65 million years ago, we in all likelihood would not exist was earthshattering at the time. Our existence became something of a stroke of luck, not some divine plan, not some ideological fallacy, but pure chance. It's a big step for most people, and I doubt any one book or speaker could take full responsibility for it.
"In our youth, we lacked the maturity, the decency to create gods better than ourselves so that we might have something to aspire to. Instead we are left with a host of deities who were violent, narcissistic, vengeful bullies who reflected our own values. Our gods could have been anything we could imagine, and all we were capable of manifesting were gods who shared the worst of our natures."-Me
"Atheism leaves a man to sense, to philosophy, to natural piety, to laws, to reputation; all of which may be guides to an outward moral virtue, even if religion vanished; but religious superstition dismounts all these and erects an absolute monarchy in the minds of men." – Francis Bacon
"Atheism leaves a man to sense, to philosophy, to natural piety, to laws, to reputation; all of which may be guides to an outward moral virtue, even if religion vanished; but religious superstition dismounts all these and erects an absolute monarchy in the minds of men." – Francis Bacon
