And I did. I thought about it. When I realized I had nothing outside my own thoughts and feelings, I began to seriously question. I started demanding more frommy religious community, and demanding more of other theists outside my religion, and when I found they had no more than I did I decided it wasn’t enough and I left it. Not every theist is closed minded, and it isn’t impossible. He didn’t have to write a formal argument, be aggressive, make his case orndefend his position. All he did was be friendly and ask me to think. After a break I went back to the forum and asked him why he was an atheist, and what he did believe about other things, and I was convinced. So yeah, I think its possible. Maybe I am still just an exception, but I don’t see a reason I have to be. I’m not any more special than anyone else.
And once again, I disagree. You are special, special because you thought it through using logic as a guide and not a supplication to a diety in order to make your decision. What you found is that "nothing fails like prayer". Notice your use of the term "outside" . You dared to step out of the bubble and actually question the existence of the supernatural which led to the logical conclusion, there are no gods. Perhaps I should qualify my thoughts on theists here. I do agree that not all theists are completely closed minded; there are progressives out there toying with agnosticism which if they allowed themselves further study and reflection would declare themselves to be atheists. That said, you in all probability won't find many who are committed Protestant fundamentalists. Fundies frame their view of the World through the filter of a literal interpretation of a "holy book" and enough said, period. You will neither alter nor completely change their mode of thought no matter how much logic you throw at them, even if you spoon feed it. There's must be an internal conversion and that would bring not only their World view but their intimate relationships to a rapid close. It would be an ultimate sacrifice leaving them a diminished place in the only society they've ever known. In the extreme it could even lead to shunning by family and close friends. For most, the price would be too high. There's a lot to be said for public pressure, especially in a fundamentalist community.
Cap't Jack