Why Atheists Stop Believing: My Journey from Inquiry to Certainty

Introduction: Growing up, my journey from a natural skeptic to an atheist was marked by a relentless quest for proof rather than acceptance based on faith. Here’s my story, which might resonate with others who have felt similarly.

From Skepticism to Belief

Nothing made me stop believing, and nothing keeps me from it. I was born an atheist, and from a young age, I needed evidence to believe in anything. My journey was shaped by growing up in a Catholic family that only attended church on major holidays like Christmas and Easter. Despite the occasional religious influence, my curiosity and desire for proof propelled my investigations far beyond the confines of traditional beliefs.

Childhood Questions and Scientific Inquiry

As a child, I frequently attended catechism classes, which was the only kid in my class to question stories from the Bible. While I respected my religious curriculum, I knew that the Earth didn't revolve around a flat world, and thunder wasn't caused by god bowling. I turned to science, spending hours in the library learning about space, the origins of the Earth, and the natural explanations for events in the world around me.

With the internet, I found myself deeply exploring the origins of religious beliefs and how they were intertwined with pagan traditions. For example, the stories of creation, death, and the afterlife resonated with stories from Greek mythology, Egyptian hieroglyphs, and other ancient belief systems. This exploration solidified my belief in the importance of evidence and rational thought over dogma.

The Dawkins Scale and My Place on It

With the Dawkins scale, I firmly stand at a 7 out of 10, and I see no reason for this to change. I challenge believers to provide proof for their beliefs, and when they can't, it becomes clear that faith alone isn't enough to convince me. Growing up, I learned to distinguish between fictional stories and factual information, and this skill became a cornerstone of my worldview.

Exploring Other Belief Systems

High school was a pivotal time for me. I sought to understand why my friends were so engaged with their religious communities. I devoured religious texts, including a comprehensive tome on ancient religions. What struck me was the commonality between these belief systems. The stories of creation, death, and afterlife were remarkably similar, with only the names and interpretations changing.

My advice to those looking to become atheists is to study all religions, understand the origins of beliefs, and apply the same critical thinking to one's own faith. It can be a liberating journey of discovery and clarity.

Conclusion: My journey from skepticism to atheism was a continuous quest for truth and rationality. It taught me the importance of evidence and the value of critical thinking in forming one's beliefs.