I think by default people are atheists, or agnostic atheists. The way I define it is: I lack a belief in God, but there may well be one. If I say "I don't know" then I don't believe in one by default. I don't think any atheists, even the Dawkins-like ones, assert that there is absolutely no God. 

I went to school and learned that there can't be any validity in what the True Believers believe whatsoever, then I did even more research and found out about the multitude of atrocities the Religious have piled up over the past 2,000 years.

Funny thing was I really went to study religion.

If you come into conflict with your relatives because they can't handle the truth, then I don't know what to tell you except for the fact that they're the ones that need to grow up.

I struggled with being religious growing up. I live in the bible belt and literally everyone I knew was Christian or claimed to be such. Even as a kid, though, I had major problems with the bible, with god's behavior, and with the answers I was being given--the most common being to "pray about it". It was a very stressful experience, really, looking back. Everyone, including myself, was trying to shove my thoughts into a particular shape and it just wasn't working. Books played a major role, as well, like Dan Simmons' "Hyperion" novels and Tom Robbins' "Another Roadside Attraction". I remember putting those books down and arguing with myself over what they were saying.

Eventually I was able to find myself enough that I felt comfortable with not believing what had been pushed on me since I was a toddler. However, It's not something I talk about openly. Only a handful of people know my true thoughts on religion; everyone else just assumes I'm a Christian, which is fine with me. Around here, openly admitting you're not a Christian can be a pain at best and lead to people treating you differently. At worst, It can close off jobs and relationships.

I don't consider myself an atheist, though. No one has proven anything to me one way or another. I'm just not going to believe for the sake of believing.

Isn't it ironic that religious people, preaching about openness and forgiveness, sometimes are the most intolerable?

I'm atheist, started in elementary school.

Recently though I'm more inclined to say agnostic because of a thought that God is just a collection of subconsciousness. that I can refuse if I wish.

I will never accept the Christian god because dogs cannot go to heaven. (Dogs have souls too.)

I never had or understood the concept of faith.  I was a curious child so the schism happened when I asked questions at church I was shushed, and when I asked them at school I was responded to.  When I realized I saw the world differently I was scared as grew up in religous part of the world.  I learned harsh lesson that when I opened up to some friends they cut ties because I was "broken" or "wrong".  As for my family it has been a long road and I had to learn the art of tactful discussion.  We simply do not mention it and know that a person is not defined by one aspect of their beliefs, but that who they are is far more complex.

I think the only concern I have is ignorance that can exist on both sides and coming to a goal.  Over and over on forums I see petty bickering or blanket statements about groups and it's just not productive.  Theists and atheists come in all sorts of people, to the point that this single fact really tells me litte.  I am more curious to understand how one thinks and reasons on various issues.  I would actually like to be in a productive discussion where various peole illustrate their views and feel comfortable with having them thoughtfully challenged.

Yeah, there are a lot of hypocrites in religion.  Religious people will tell you that themselves.  The biggest, richest church around here, where I used to go, is absolutely full of people who only follow the bible one day a week.  I'm pretty sure some of the other churches use that church as an object lesson.

The worst, most intolerant are often the newly "saved".  They try to force their new conviction on everyone else and are often guilty of harsh, self-righteous judgements.  A guy who teaches sunday school and fills in as preacher when needed told me that, and he's right.  Of course, some of the old guard can be just as bad.  In the community where I used to work, I have zero doubt that there would have been complaints to my boss if I openly stated that I did not believe in god.

The funniest thing was listening to old men sit around ripping on other sects.  They were without mercy, even though what they believed was often very, very close.  Baptists making fun of Methodists and back and forth is just hilarious.  We had a guy who used to get red-faced furious because he believed that you stay in the ground when you die while Baptists believe you go up to heaven.   Seemed like a silly thing to get upset over.

Yeah, it's quite scary just how hypocritical some religious people truly are. They are nothing like what they preach about. But then again, there truly are wonderful folks as well. But the intolerance is astounding! I'm just happy I'm born and raised in a country where atheism is the norm. Thank god for that ^^ It really feels as this point of intolerance is a recurring  theme in this thread; just read Augens post above yours...