What planted the seed?

[Aegrus]

I searched the forums, and I couldn't find anything quite like this. What planted the seed of atheism in your mind, so to speak? Do you remember what started you down this path?

I recall, way back in elementary school, a couple of kids asked my brother and I who we loved more- each other, or god. We both answered each other. (Not in an odd way, btw. No gay incest here. )

The other kids were shocked and confused. They argued and said that we must love god more. I remember being quite irritated with them, and religion. I think that's the first time I remember doubting god.

[Shell B]

I was raised in a non-religious household. My mom is Christian and my dad is an atheist, but neither really talked about it. I don't know if any seeds were planted. I do not remember a time when I believed the Bible or in god. I do remember going to Sunday school occasionally with a friend of mine when I was little and just sitting there uncomfortably. Perhaps that sense of awkwardness about religion was what compelled me to really form an opinion about god later in life.

[Paul the Human]

That's a goood question. I don't really remember what actually started me down the path of doubt, but I do recall learning about evolution and trying to reconcile it with the creation nonsense in Genesis. I remember that leading to thoughts of Adam and Eve and how little sense the story made to me, even then. I think the seed was planted by the bible itself, because it's so obviously a bunch of bullshit.

[Phil]

But we are all born atheists until we are taught religion. So wouldn't the answer be birth?

[cdabamsworth]

Hmm. I loved Derren Brown as a performer. Then I found out he was atheist. Then I listened to him speak and it made sense. And he used to be Christian, and his perspective was his deconversion. How could I resist considering that?

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

What planted the seed of atheism in your mind, so to speak?

Being brought up severe Irish Catholic; arguably the most pig ignorant,superstitious, bigoted and hateful form of a pernicious faith. (Catholicism)

[Faith No More]

My dad, albeit accidentally, provided the seed of my doubt. He taught me to be skeptical and only believe things with verifiable evidence as he himself is a scientist. I'm not sure he ever expected me to apply that to his religion.

[thesummerqueen]

Spinoza. And then "Leaves of Grass."

[Rhizomorph13]

For me it wasn't a seed, but more like standing under a fine mist and denying that I was getting wet. At some point, no matter how I moved around, I got all wet. When I stopped trying to do mental gymnastics to make all the pieces of religion fit together I cast religion off.

[mediamogul]

I have always been an atheist. It wasn't until someone tried to convert me that I realized that i needed to call myself an "atheist". I got confused after that and tried to anthropomorphize the universe for a bit but I couldn't force myself to believe no matter how much I thought I needed. Now I'm happily atheist again. The seed was a healthy, skeptical, scientific impulse thanks to my parents and educators.