[Dhaal_Chawal]

I'm interested in finding out the demographics of TSR's atheist population. Say what religion you were and when you left it and why if you want.
Just realised I forgot to put 'other religion' in the poll

[Ridingmyego]

The prospect of faith in general never appealed to me in all honesty. Therefore I've never been a part of a religious background.

[Xotol]

Muslim -> Atheist

I left when I was around 15. I started doubting at around 13 after actually being introduced to some criticism of Islam for the first time (ironically on a forum that has nothing to do with religion - but had a section similar to this). I sort of avoided my doubts for a year and just 'went with the flow', including praying without much conviction, fasting for the sake of it etc. At 14, I finally confronted my beliefs, researched more into Islam (arguments both for and against), attempted to read the Qur'an and Hadiths with as open a mind as possible, and finally concluded that there was no real reason for me to believe. It was a terrible couple of years which I stayed fearful of the consequences (going to hell), but once I left, I felt pretty good and free.

[PandyAndy]

My mum's side are 'Catholic', my dad's side are 'Protestant'. I went to a Catholic primary school,but we were never indoctrinated into it. Might as well have been secular.

[Gofre]

My background was pretty much entirely secular. I have no immediate family that could be described as religious. However I did go to a CoE school so went through the jazz of morning hymns but they just seemed completely detached of any deeper meaning. I distinctly remember going to my first proper church service at the age of eight when I had the misfortune of sleeping over at my religious godmother's house on a Saturday night. The entire thing, from the service to the following sunday school session was utterly bizarre to me, although that memory is somewhat tainted by the fact that I won the art competition (We had to make stained glass windows out of coloured paper, that was awesome) then being made to share my chocolate prize with the entire group

[SquaredCircle]

I was born into a Muslim family.

[F Ellen]

Christian -> Atheist

Christian background, but not strictly so. I wasn't christened. I went to CoE primary and secondary schools, mainly due to their academic reputations rather than their religious teachings, and attended a baptist Sunday school as a child. I think my parents wanted me to learn about Christianity and then ultimately make my own decisions when I got older. Even now, my parents aren't strictly religious.

[SillyMilly]

Strict Roman Catholics, and I think thats why im so anti relgion, it wasnt simply a case of my parents believeing in god or going to church it was the fact I have their moral and ethical views rammed down my throat
- nosex before marriage, im not even allowed a boyfriend incase i end up having sex and 'sinning'
-no contraception which i think its absurd

Im expeceted to behave in a certain way incase i end up in hell ..

[thegodofgod]

Hindu --> Atheist

Doubted my belief in 'God' after I first heard about the theory of evolution / natural selection etc.

Then just went with the flow of reading around and reading into other religions.

Found out that there wasn't much substance in them as opposed to atheism, and finally 'converted' to atheism at around 13-14

Although my mum and dad are both Hindus, I can't remember the last time either of them actually went to a temple - at least a good 3 or 4 years ago

[JonathanNorth]

Attended a Christian school. Believed I was Christian for a few years, then broke my leg and kind of broke away from the brainwashing.

[jordanosborn]

I went to a christian primary school but most people outside the school i came into contact with weren't very religious at all. It had the opposite effect they most likely intended and made me question the beliefs they had. It put me well off with all the constant church goings, praying and what not. I couldn't wait to be out. When I left the push to be christian subsided and that's when I stopped believing as I couldn't see any reason to be a part of it any more. I did not believe in it and I could not find any evidence that would change my opinion. Atheist ever since.

[SquaredCircle]

(Original post by AkaJetson)
Sure you were.

I promise I was. I went regularly to the mosque til I was 15. Id memorised the whole first book of the Quran. I'd recited surah Ammah in front of my extended family. All the while not really believing in these superstitious fairy tales

[Trailblazer]

I've become a confident atheist in sixth form having studied, and loved Philosophy.

Originally I went to a Church of England primary school and was exposed to hymns, bible readings and all that kind of stuff. The local vicar used to speak in assemblies and the head teacher was very devout.

Eve then though I never bought it. I've never sang or prayed in church even as a child; it just seemed meaningless and futile to my 4 years old - present self, I never saw it as having any literal significance. Which is why I went for the non religious background option. Truth be told I never have been a Christian, I was never baptised and I don't loose any sleep over that.

3/4 of my household are atheists, and my dad has often said that religion is the primary source of evil in the world. But I think he believes in some sort of deity.

[miser]

I was raised Christian and used to go to church most Sundays growing up. We also used to go to Bible camp type events called Spring Harvest hosted at Butlins. I was very into it as a child, but eventually it came to a tipping point and I actively researched the issue of religion, and became an atheist around age 17.

[Emmak7]

Grew up as a Christian Greek Orthodox.
Became an atheist at the age of 13 after a discussion with my sister who was into philosophy :P

[prog2djent]

My parents left me alone to make my mind up.

Mum believes in a "God", not a abrahamic one, but some sort of possibly sentient force beyond human comprehension.

Dad is Agnostic.

[Coloured Vanity]

I was born into a Muslim family but was never really religious in the first place. I didn't pray much, only read the holy book when I had to and fasted for the sake of fasting. Eventually, I noticed how close-minded my family seemed as a result of following Islam and began disbelieving the religion when I learnt more about its laws etc. And, the fact that I was virtually forced to believe made me hate it in the end so I stopped believing in religion altogether. Felt pretty good to do that.

[prog2djent]

(Original post by SquaredCircle)
I promise I was. I went regularly to the mosque til I was 15. Id memorised the whole first book of the Quran. I'd recited surah Ammah in front of my extended family. All the while not really believing in these superstitious fairy tales

Do your family/community know?

[SquaredCircle]

(Original post by prog2djent)
Do your family/community know?

I told my family at 19. That was an uncomfortable 6 months or so. After about a year they let me back in the house. But it's still awkward when they pray and I sort of it at the side playing angry birds

[G8D]

None religious. As far as I'm concerned I was brought up in an apatheistic environment.