I don't know whether you are still collecting these stories, and mine isn't very interesting (then again, why would it be?). I'm sending it to you out of a belief that lots of mundane stories about how other people became atheists can help a waverer resolve to use their mind more rationally. There is no doubt that at least some of them are looking at your site.

Why I am an atheist

I think I have always been an atheist. There was certainly no event or series of events which caused me to question previously held religious beliefs. I have never prayed. I have never been to church except as part of a ceremony for someone else (e.g. a funeral).

Like a lot of kids I started asking questions about all sorts of things at a very young age. I was always annoyingly inquistive. I realise that young children usually simply accept what they are told and I don't suppose I was much different. However, my parents did not feed me with too many fairy tales. This is not to say they squashed my imagination, quite the opposite. I made up my own fantasies. And knowing early on that the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus were really my parents actually added to the magic for me. I hope to pass this on one day.

My parents were unusual (in my opinion) in that they encouraged me to think for myself, and tried to answer my questions about hard topics honestly in spite of my age. They admitted that they did not know the answer to every question, rather than resorting to fairy tales, and provided me with some science and history books, and an encyclopedia, from which I could find out the answers for myself (and lots of other things). I am still an avid reader. They also gave me a comprehensive sense of right and wrong which was not based on "God says so" but on consideration for others and doing as you would be done by. (Though I have scrutinised and modified it subsequently, you'll be pleased to know I did not reject it).

For the reasons set out above, I was from a very early age questioning ideas in an approximately scientific manner. I always wanted explanations to "feel right", or to "fit in". I realise now that this feeling comes from consistency and the explanatory power of the ideas. And this was complimented by a sense of wonder about the natural world that has never left me. It was within this context that I learned about Christianity, Jesus, God and Old Testament stories like The Flood.

I treated them all in the same way as fables, fairy tales and other fictional events and characters. Unfortunately, God's behaviour in these stories is dreadfully inconsistent - obvious even to a child. Add to that all the talk of God's Love despite the obvious suffering in the world which he appeared to be doing nothing about. I soon realised that "God moves in mysterious ways" is a cover to hide the uncomfortable (for Christians) idea that perhaps God does not move at all. And, I used to ask, what about all the different religions and variations? Was one right and the others all wrong? Which one? And what about all the atrocities committed throughout history in the name of Christianity (or other religions for that matter), like the destruction of the Aztecs, and the Crusades (more like in the name of greed and hate)? And what about all the conflicts between science and the church (e.g. poor old Galileo), in which the church eventually had to back down on God's "truth"? And why didn't my pets have souls that seemed a little cruel?

So basically, I had already been exposed to lots of other ideas which "felt better" to me when weighed in the balance against religion. They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing - it was certainly dangerous for religious beliefs where I was concerned. God just did not inspire me with wonder - he was clearly a fictional, small-minded, sadistic, fickle bully and a really rather pathetic excuse for a deity, if such a thing existed (though this wasn't my childhood phrasing). Having rejected the Christian God, there was no reason to feel differently about any others. So I was an atheist by virtue of having been taught to have an independent mind and access to alternative ideas. As simple as that.

Some Christians even go so far as to say that people in my situation have been "damaged" by their parents' failure to expose them to God more than they did; I am ignorant of God and that is a terrible tragedy they say (both assertions are false).

As an adult I know that no one is born a believer - they are indoctrinated by their parents and their culture. What surprises me is that, as intelligent adults, they do not see this for themselves. Worse, they deliberately close their minds to new ideas which might challenge their beliefs. Surely if the beliefs are justified, rational analysis of the alternative explanations will reveal the flaws which must be there? And if there are no flaws?

Nowadays I have the attitude that "atheism", despite its etymology, is about the REAL search for truth, taking personal responsibility for your life, and thinking for yourself. If you are a good parent and ensure your children are educated well, don't be surprised if they question the belief system you give them they may not reject it, but they will think about it critically. To deliberately stultify their education to prevent this is to admit that rational analysis might discredit your beliefs implying that you have doubts yourself.

Your site is top notch, though I'd love to know where you get the time.

Alan Chambers