Should I become an atheist and why?

[Wootah]

Should I become an atheist and why?

What are the benefits, practices, beliefs? Any good conversion stories?

[Difflugia]

Should I become an atheist

Yes.

and why?

Because gods aren't real.

What are the benefits,

There's less temptation to abrogate responsibility by letting "the gods" handle something that you really need to do yourself.

practices,

Mindfulness of reality.

beliefs?

Gods are superfluous. A dollar plus a prayer for a dollar is worth a dollar.

Any good conversion stories?

One of the last lingering doubts tying me to Christianity was wondering how so many people could be wrong. Then I hung around with Mormons for a while and I realized that if that many people could believe that the Book of Mormon is holy writ, then popularity alone isn't an argument for being right.

[Diagoras]

Well, it’s your free choice to do so if that’s what you want.

As far as ‘practices’ goes, this website does a reasonable job of explaining how an atheist may decide to live and what ideals to strive for.

Benefits? Clear thinking comes immediately to mind. A sense of freedom is another.

Disclaimer: I was never a believer, so can’t offer any conversion stories. I’ll leave that for others.

[POI]

Should I become an atheist and why?

You are already an atheist to countless other god(s). Why? Just apply that same reasoning for yours. If this does not work alone, then please tell us all why your god belief is believable, while all the others are not?

What are the benefits, practices, beliefs? Any good conversion stories?

Well, "atheism" has no dogma, practices, or beliefs. In fact, it's quite the opposite. You instead lack a belief. Just like you lack belief in countless other god(s) and other deemed superstitions. Thus, your question seems quite nonsensical.

And in regards to benefits, it would be rational thinking and accessing probabilities; among many other things.... We do not base our core decisions upon emotion, gut feelings, indoctrination, and geography.

[brunumb]

Should I become an atheist and why?

What are the benefits, practices, beliefs? Any good conversion stories?

One cannot choose to believe or not believe. Belief does not work like a switch that can be turned on and off at will. Our brains are either convinced of the truth of something or they are not. For you to become an atheist you would need to come to the realisation that there are no gods at all. Should you try? Of course. If gods are not real then you may find the truth when you do.

There are no practices to follow as an atheist. You make your own meaning in life. You are not constrained by the endless rituals and restrictive practices associated with many religions. On the other hand, if you are one of those theists who are totally constrained from doing bad things simply from fear of displeasing your god, for the sake of everyone else maintain your current belief.

[1213]

...
Because gods aren't real....

Can you prove that, or is that just your opinion?

[TRANSPONDER]

Should I become an atheist and why?

What are the benefits, practices, beliefs? Any good conversion stories?

It's been said that it's up to you. You can go through life as a God -believer and it'll be fine. None of us will tell you that you will pay for it or you'll die in misery or your life will collapse in ruins. Yet there are benefits. One is that it straightens out your thinking no end. Atheists don't have to be afraid of facts, thinking or science. In the toughest discussions I have had (no names) it has been frustrating to disprove this and debunk that and the Opponent just retreats more and more into denial and 'you can't disprove this'. But I'd hate to be in the position when I had to maintain a Faith - claim in defiance of all evidence reason and often what the Bible itself said. I can look at the passges on slavery fair and square and take them as what they are - records of the best in moral codes men could do at the time. I don't have to jump through apologetic hoops excusing God.
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"Atheism has made such a difference to my life".

I served a sort of apologetics apprenticeship on 'Positive atheism'. O leaned about logical reasoning and the standard apologetics and the logical fallacies that usually go with them. I learned, in fact to Reason, whereas Theist and religious apologists have to do sophistry, which is rhetorical fiddling to try to make a case where there isn't one.

You mentioned 'deconversion stories'. This isn't one but I'll use it. With an early opponent, I was talking about the nativity and how it was two conflicting stories. I pointed out that in Luke, Joseph's family came from Nazreth and had to go to Judea just to sign on for the census. But in Matthew Joseph clearly liven in Judea and after going to Egypt and Herod dying, he meant to return there. Now you'd think that would be slam- dunk 'Cor, yeah; they can't Both be right." But instrad i got a lot of digression about the use of the word "Return" in the poetical style of them OT and it was simply evasion, dishonesty and self deception. And this was a good and decent man, I knew and yet trying to maintain the Faith had made him act like a con- trickster.

I'd hate to be put in that position/ Atheism is a subset of Rationality, and what that does is make the mind free. Nothing (apart from a few matters beyond anyone's PC limits) is beyond question. Nothing is such a prised Belief that it can't be discarded as soon as better evidence comes along. That is why 'science is always changing its' mind'. Believers have a mindset of God - given dogma which must never change and they do not see the problem with that or the advantages of a rationally adaptable viewpoint.

It's a deep and fascinating subject, but I won't labour it, but I'll mention Hellthreat. One think I am also thankful for is not having fear of Hell. I've heard some horror - stories about believers who had a terror of Hell. There's also the sinful life that atheists are only atheists because they want to live it. you can say that again.

[theophile]

Should I become an atheist and why?

Yes, because it is the way to a more genuine and thoughtful theism.

What are the benefits, practices, beliefs?

Critical thinking. Fresh perspective. Grounding in reality. Open horizons...

[Difflugia]

Because gods aren't real....

Can you prove that, or is that just your opinion?

Do you have a claim to make and support?

[TRANSPONDER]

Should I become an atheist and why?

Yes, because it is the way to a more genuine and thoughtful theism.

What are the benefits, practices, beliefs?

Critical thinking. Fresh perspective. Grounding in reality. Open horizons...

A more genuine and thoughtful Theism, plus Critical thinking. Fresh perspective. Grounding in reality. Open horizons has often led back to atheism, Provided one can get past Godfaith. That's the Last ditch resistance to seeing through the Sell. Keeping a seat free for you