For Every Adult Atheist Who Becomes a Christian, How Many

[MineralMan]

Christians are there who have become atheists? I don't know the answer to that question. I know many Christians. I know quite a few atheists. Most of the atheists I know were Christians at some point in their lives. Most. I do not, however, personally know any Christians who were adult atheists before becoming Christians. Not one.

I use the word "adult," because we are all born without belief in deities. We are taught to believe. It is really not until adulthood when such a change is notable.

Occasionally, I read about some atheist who has found Jesus. Typically I read about it because another believer has posted it to make some sort of point. I have read many accounts on the internet of Christians and followers of other religions who have become atheists. Typically, I read those when the individual person posts something to that effect.

But, I have no idea what the numbers of either change in beliefs actually are, beyond my own reading and knowledge.

Here's the thing: I find both things to be decidedly uninteresting. People adopt and discard beliefs from time to time. It's not particularly remarkable. Most do so without a lot of fanfare. The phenomenon of people being "saved" at revival meetings is emotionally based and carefully orchestrated. It's easy to suddenly declare one's conversion at such an event, and there is the reward of the celebration of those who have already done so. The newly converted are often very excited by that and are eager to relate their experience to all who will listen.

Going from belief to non-belief, on the other hand, is rarely done emotionally or immediately. Generally, it involves some thought and questioning of ones prior beliefs. It's often a gradual process, with a realization at some point that one no longer believes in supernatural entities and events. Since it's not an epiphany of some sort, most people who make that transition don't make it a topic of conversation or volunteer that information.

Still, I do not know the comparative numbers of people going in either direction. I don't know how those numbers would be calculated, frankly. Perhaps it's not even something that interesting, really. Religious belief or disbelief is, in the end, just a personal thing. Nevertheless, I'm curious about those numbers.