Who here actually converted to a religion from Atheism/Agnosticism?

[StarryNightshade]

I'm an ex-Christian who now identifies as an Agnostic Buddhist.

You always hear of people like me who left one religion for another or to no religion at all, but what about those who were Atheist (either by choice or raised as one) who converted to a religion later in life?

How many of you did just that?

 

[CG Didymus]

I thought I'd come by and see. That's a pretty good story converting back. Can't wait for someone to respond. I'll check back later.

 

[Jainarayan]

I was raised Roman Catholic, became Eastern Orthodox, dropped Christianity altogether and coasted in neutral for about 20 years as an "agnostic panendeist" (if there were a God, it was a deist God that everything was part of, absolute monism), then my latent attraction to Hinduism (the panendeism and monism was a blossoming Advaita) and Buddhism surfaced, and here I am, a Hinduddhist.

 

[Matthew78]

I left Secular Humanism for Unitarian Universalism. I renounced being an atheist although I am still quite an agnostic. These days I lean towards panendeism ( a term that was coined by Larry Copling) although I like the classical deism of the early American Republic. I don't know how to reconcile classical deism with evil and suffering in this world.

Matthew

 

[Father Heathen]

Does drifting from "atheist" to "agnostic deist" count?

 

[Matthew78]

Does drifting from "atheist" to "agnostic deist" count?

Sure, if deism is considered a religion; I am not sure what it's considered.


Matthew

 

[Breathe]

I did.

 

[Shuddhasattva]

Many people have a period of doubt/dismissal before that doubt is resolved by some direct experience (or a gradual shift in mentality), it is not uncommon at all for people to have come from agnostic/atheistic backgrounds.

 

[lunamoth]

I'm an ex-Christian who now identifies as an Agnostic Buddhist.

You always hear of people like me who left one religion for another or to no religion at all, but what about those who were Atheist (either by choice or raised as one) who converted to a religion later in life?

How many of you did just that?

I was an agnostic/apatheist for about 20 years before returning to religion. I was raised in the Episcopal Church, but did not see the relevance and drifted away as soon as I went to college. Fast forward - biology major - science career - grad student - professional scientist in industry and academia. Had an 'ah-ha' moment and started seeking. Five years as a Baha'i, then a return to Christianity, Episcopal Church. Happy theist ever since. Still an active research biologist, BTW.

 

[1137]

I did, but then I got sober and was agnostic / atheist again.

 

[Rocky S]

I did, atheism to Christianity..

 

[Andal]

Vanakkam,

I was born into a mixed family. My dad was Catholic, my mom went from Unitarian to Buddhist and back again. My older brother is atheist with slightly Daoist leanings, my younger brother is agnostic.

I was a Chinese Buddhist who was atheistic. I am now a fully theistic Hindu

Aim Hari Aum!!

 

[illykitty]

I am as well.

I'm not from a practising background. Sort of family who uses god in sentences and that's about it. I had a brief encounter with Catholicism as a child at school (since we had a choice of Catholicism, Protestantism or secular moral teachings) and I wanted to be with my friend. I had no idea what it was and didn't understand it at all. I just remember Hail Mary and colouring pictures and didn't know what it meant. It didn't last long.

Somehow though, I believe in reincarnation since a long time which is weird because I don't remember any exposure to it. Not sure if I believed in a form of god, I never really thought of it.

Then I became an Atheist who was quite angry. It was a low point in life and of discovering all the pain and suffering. Funny how a lot of people turn to religion or god if they encounter hardships but I was a teen, answer less and angry.

Then things got a bit better, I still didn't come around but wanted to understand why so many people believed and honestly, had no knowledge of religion minus a little of Christianity, after a LOT of reading, some meditation and realisation, I started to believe that there is some form of deity. Now I'm panentheistic but still seeking a religion.

 

[atanu]

I did.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Religion in people can be seen as an experiment. People reared agnostic or atheist are interesting, because they act as a control group in the experiment. I've met a handful of people who grew up atheist or agnostic. The girls still believed everything their fathers told them, just like religious girls do. The boys still pondered religious ideas, searching. For that reason I tend to think men become philosophical earlier in life than women. Women are much more practical in their early lives and prefer to choose something to believe and stick to it. I think for both males and females only a jarring personal pain sends anyone into a deep philosophical search, but men are more likely to philosophical meanderings early on as they are not so distracted by practical issues. I see the girls as obsessed with practicality, with whatever is between them and their futures. The men tend to be like horses without blinders, always wanting to nip the grass on the sides of the road.

 

[Revoltingest]

When I was a kid, I was a strong atheist.
Then I became a weak atheist.
Is there an interesting story behind this?
Imagine watching paint dry or a baseball game in slow motion.

 

[atanu]

When I was a kid, I was a strong atheist.
Then I became a weak atheist.
Is there an interesting story behind this?
Imagine watching paint dry or a baseball game in slow motion.

Will you weaken further?

 

[Secret Chief]

I was born to Christian parents (typically British, never read the bible and only went to church for christenings, weddings and funerals). As I grew up I dismissed the whole god thing and so would have described myself as atheist. Then I discovered Buddhist dhamma, hallelujah and praise the lord.

So that's my paint drying...

 

[Revoltingest]

Will you weaken further?

Who knows?
I'm already an agnostic too.
Can't get much weaker.

 

[Infinitum]

When I left my parent's religion I visited Atheism shortly until I had sorted out what I really believed in. It's a practical stop for someone who wants to shake loose of a lifetime of outside influence.