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Originally Posted by troutman
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I've read probably most of those, and there are a lot of common themes to them. Often its from mid-late teens in Family's where its 'believe in god or else' type parenting, where fear has kept them from leaving faith. Another good chunk seems to be the 'I always had doubts when I was younger, but I read 'insert book here' or saw 'insert documentary here' and it blew me away.
I think the key to any de-conversion is people who will truly be critical with their own beliefs, read or do some research on their own on their particular belief.
If you are brought up a particular religion, surrounded by it in family, friends, schools, etc.. Its very difficult to see any other viewpoint or have any fair chance to decide such an important matter at an age where you are old enough to appreciate the consequences. Fear is a huge portion of belief, fear that not believing has dire eternal consequences, family shunning you, etc.
When religious people say things like "yeah sure we evolved from bacteria" you know its a last grasp of their arguments. They can't use the bible as an argument, its so flawed and easy to dismiss even by religious people. Science is badly studied by religious people, and they rely on talking points from their church/friends to argue against something like evolution which is overwhelmingly clear and easy to understand.
Thats the battle, its logic over irrationality. People hide behind "well its faith" as a way to run away at a point where they can't find a "god did it" answer acceptable anymore.
But at the point a person truly personally debates these things with a logical, critical mind, they will more often than not see much of what we atheists see. Religions manipulating, 'evolving' with times to keep the sheep, and the biggest concern shackles the mind into a way of thinking that affects every decision that person makes. Its a foundation built on wet sand, and it helps lead people to believe in other irrational things, do irrational things, etc..
Its why I'd love to see children be brought up not being indoctrinated into a particular belief, yes even atheism. But rather given the chance to decide that big issue later in their late teens when they can truly understand the question of faith, god, etc.. But Religion and I'm sure Religious people know that IF you don't get them while they are young, you probably end up with heathens.
