Reasons for being an Atheist

[Minimalist]

This is exactly why I can't stand those people.

[ThisGuyAgain67]

This is exactly why I can't stand those people.

It was frustrating, but I knew that she was biased when I came out to her to begin with. At least she didn't go crazy like I thought she would. I just wish that she would have come out and said that being an atheist was a bad idea instead skirting around it like she did.

[Faith No More]

The question that I have is that, as an atheist, do these things have any real effect on what they believe to be true ( That God isn't real) or if these concepts are just irrelevant?

I'm sure they can have an effect, but to say that they are the only reasons is just ludicrous. When theists speculate on the motivations of atheists, it usually says more about the theist than the actual motivations behind being an atheist.

[pineapplebunnybounce]

Don't know if it does, but it should. If something awful happens to you and it was very traumatic, won't you doubt god's good?

Wasn't my reason for not believing, it really only takes one reason to get there, but I think it can be relevant. And what is her argument for this reason being invalid?

She didn't really give any. It was as if she thought that the generalizations were enough to in themselves to say that being an atheist was a bad idea.

Hm, Idk, maybe she means being angry at god and calling yourself and atheist is not the way to go? In a way she'd be right because you'd be angry at something you believe exists. Maybe just tell her you don't believe god exists so she knows where you're coming from and the conversation can move forward.

[Cato]

Does coming to the conclusion that there is absolutely no proof of God, despite the fact that the idea has been force-fed to a youth, count as trauma?

[ThisGuyAgain67]

She didn't really give any. It was as if she thought that the generalizations were enough to in themselves to say that being an atheist was a bad idea.

Hm, Idk, maybe she means being angry at god and calling yourself and atheist is not the way to go? In a way she'd be right because you'd be angry at something you believe exists. Maybe just tell her you don't believe god exists so she knows where you're coming from and the conversation can move forward.

I actually did, lol. I told her that I just didn't see any real reason for God to exist, but I think she still held onto the notion that I was going through a phase after the talk ended because of my own uprbringing. I also think that the while angry at God thing was where she was coming from too, but how could I have been mad at something that I doubted his existence at the time anyway?

[pineapplebunnybounce]

Well, then the ball is in her court. Wait till she digests it and comes back to you with other concerns I guess. More often than not, people choose to act as if the conversation never happened, unless they're doubting their religion as well or want to "save you". I've yet to have a conversation with someone about how they're totally ok with my atheism (and actually mean it).

[ThisGuyAgain67]

Well, then the ball is in her court. Wait till she digests it and comes back to you with other concerns I guess. More often than not, people choose to act as if the conversation never happened, unless they're doubting their religion as well or want to "save you". I've yet to have a conversation with someone about how they're totally ok with my atheism (and actually mean it).

I agree, I just hope that this doesn't my relationship with her over time. She really tries to be open-minded about things, but I also know that she is going biased about this as well. Well, thanks for the advice and insight (that goes to everybody)!

[Whateverist]

My reason for being an atheist is I find I don't have any belief in gods. It isn't so much a decision as the recognition that the definition fits.

[Esquilax]

Actually, the reason I identify as an atheist is mainly that, when theists try to convince me that their god is real, the best they can do is to reinterpret my motivations or go off on some vague, pseudo-philosophical rant that only serves to define their god into existence without ever demonstrating it.

It's dishonest tactics like this trauma argument that drove me away from deism and right into atheism. Since then, I've only found more and more reason to stick around, even give myself anti-theistic leanings. So... good job, religion.