When, Where, How and Why did you become Atheist?

[bambi_swag]

Gradual process. Starting as a child, when I didn't want to believe what the priests were telling us kids. Hellfire and god taking what's dearest to us if we sin, didn't sit so well with the supposed image of an adorable deity. A long period of I don't give a shit and the final click, some 25 years ago, at a Catholic Via Dolorosa in the woods and the final answer, this is all to simplistic to be true.

Seems like you had a experience with Catholics. Are Catholics the main Christian denomination in Australia? I have zero experience with Catholics.

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Though reading the Bible twice cover-to-cover cured me of being a Christian, it was exposure to apologetics and logic that tipped me over to atheist about 15 years later. Understanding burden of proof was a big part of that, along with the realization that there is no such thing as good apologetics. I don't know exactly when it happened, one day I realized I had stopped believing in God entirely.

Was that realization sort of a sense of sudden FREEDOM in your mind?

[Mister Agenda]

I've noticed that people around d the 12 thirteen mark become Atheist. Maybe it's the hormones and atheism is one giant hormonal rage? jk

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If it was hormones, I was very late (mid-thirties). If it were hormones, wouldn't they have a tendency to revert back once the hormone tide receded?

If you are correct in your estimate of when it usually happens, childhood development might be the better explanation. When we become old enough to question what we've been told by our elders, what we've been told doesn't always stand up to the scrutiny. There's a reason religious indoctrination is begun before we have any skepticism to defend against it.

[Ravenshire]

I became an atheist when the wheelchair in my picture fell on top of my buttsex.

Guys. Stop.

Why? When you ask a silly question you should expect some silly answers.

A little searching on the forums and you'll find most of us have answered this question already. Usually more than once.

[Mister Agenda]

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Though reading the Bible twice cover-to-cover cured me of being a Christian, it was exposure to apologetics and logic that tipped me over to atheist about 15 years later. Understanding burden of proof was a big part of that, along with the realization that there is no such thing as good apologetics. I don't know exactly when it happened, one day I realized I had stopped believing in God entirely.

Was that realization sort of a sense of sudden FREEDOM in your mind?

It certainly reduced my cognitive dissonance. I had gradually been learning how poorly supported creationism and miracles are, but I was trying to keep some headspace for God. I didn't want to be one of those close-minded atheists. I suppose I was an agnostic theist at that point. When I figured out that it's okay to not believe in something you don't think is true, even if it's not provably untrue, it was a bit of a load off.

[Mister Agenda]

Bambi, there's a section called 'Convert's Corner' in Introductions that is mainly atheists talking about their deconversions.

[bambi_swag]

Idk. I want to see through your eyes.

I think you were supposed to say "because you hate god" along with some vigorous finger-waving.

lol, don't worry I've grown out of that apologetic gimmick. That gimmick is what you call a crime phrase. It's an attitude attack and it shuts the audience capability to think and makes them side with you.

Words like "racist", and "homophobe", you can shut down the debate and get the audience to believe you are right. "Theophobe" is the shorter form of this apologetic crime phrase.

[houseofcantor]

Guys. Stop.

Why? When you ask a silly question you should expect some silly answers.

A little searching on the forums and you'll find most of us have answered this question already. Usually more than once.

I get all silly with little provocation. I figure it's up to the OP to keep the thread on the track.

And yes but... necroposting is frowned upon. To get genuine interaction, one must ask these questions again. I have no problem answering them from an OP like bambi who actually interacts. 

[brewer]

Hit with a shit load of spaghetti.

[Edwardo Piet]

I never heard of the term 'Theophobe' and wikipedia says it's a real thing.

FUCK! I never expected Bambi_Swag to teach me a new word!!

[abaris]

Seems like you had a experience with Catholics. Are Catholics the main Christian denomination in Australia? I have zero experience with Catholics.

And we don't have kangaroos either, since it's Austria and not Australia. Just a little bit removed. Only smack on the other side of the world.

Yes, Catholicism is the mainstream.