It is in our genes.

[Magdalena]

I’ve come to the conclusion that believing in the power of a god is something that has to be genetic. I have tried to close my eyes and believe blindly in god, but I'm sorry, I just don't feel all those things religious people talk about, specially faith, the power of prayer, heaven, hell, limbo, “his” will, original sin, etc.
My grandpa was born in 1901, he was an atheist, so I think the strong atheist gene has prevailed in my family and now in my son. The other day my “semi-catholic” husband said to him, “Good night, dream about angels.” My son said, “What do you mean, dream about my cousin named Angel?” He said, “No, not your cousin Angel.” Son said, “You mean my classmate Angel?” He said, “No!” My son said, “Oh, you mean the ones that have wings and fly?” Another day I said to my son, “Did you know there are stars 8 times bigger than our sun?” He said, “That’s not true, how do you know this?” I said, “I read it in a science book.” He said, “Just because it is written, doesn’t mean it’s true.” To which I replied, “That’s my atheist!” He is 7 years old.
Another time him and I were walking down the street and saw a church I thought it would be a good idea to take him inside and touch the subject. When we got to the door, he stopped, he had this look of fear in his face and refused to enter. He said he was afraid to go in there and like a mule, refused to take another step forward.
If you let a child follow their instincts, or “listen to their atheist genes“, they can not be lied to, forced, or intimidated into believing something that biologically it’s just not in them.

[Tank]

I’ve come to the conclusion that believing in the power of a god is something that has to be genetic. I have tried to close my eyes and believe blindly in god, but I'm sorry, I just don't feel all those things religious people talk about, specially faith, the power of prayer, heaven, hell, limbo, “his” will, original sin, etc.
My grandpa was born in 1901, he was an atheist, so I think the strong atheist gene has prevailed in my family and now in my son. The other day my “semi-catholic” husband said to him, “Good night, dream about angels.” My son said, “What do you mean, dream about my cousin named Angel?” He said, “No, not your cousin Angel.” Son said, “You mean my classmate Angel?” He said, “No!” My son said, “Oh, you mean the ones that have wings and fly?” Another day I said to my son, “Did you know there are stars 8 times bigger than our sun?” He said, “That’s not true, how do you know this?” I said, “I read it in a science book.” He said, “Just because it is written, doesn’t mean it’s true.” To which I replied, “That’s my atheist!” He is 7 years old.
Another time him and I were walking down the street and saw a church I thought it would be a good idea to take him inside and touch the subject. When we got to the door, he stopped, he had this look of fear in his face and refused to enter. He said he was afraid to go in there and like a mule, refused to take another step forward.
If you let a child follow their instincts, or “listen to their atheist genes“, they can not be lied to, forced, or intimidated into believing something that biologically it’s just not in them.

Good on your son in the sense that he knows churches are dangerous places to go into as there are professional liars and delusionists in there who's main aim in life is to convince you that the lies they have been told are true! But it's a fear he's going to have to overcome if he's going to witness history and architecture at its finest. Lincoln cathedral is an awe inspiring building, it was designed to be! Can you imagine if the tallest building you had ever seen was maybe three stories high and you walk into one that is six stories high on the inside!

[Guardian85]

Congratulations on having a clever and critically thinking son. That one might go far...

As for being genetically coded to be religious, almost true. We are as a species genetically predisposed to living in packs. Therefore we seek to find  groups to belong to.
And churches ,sadly, are big, strong groups.

[Whitney]

As for being genetically coded to be religious, almost true. We are as a species genetically predisposed to living in packs. Therefore we seek to find  groups to belong to.

Yes, but it's still a stretch to think that you can look at someone's genes and decide if they will be atheist or theist.  Even some epileptics who have vivid religious experiences are atheists.  At most there could be a genetic tendency towards skepticism but that doesn't guarantee atheism...and anyone who has hung out around a bunch of skeptics knows that even they can have some very odd beliefs despite their skepticism (like being afraid to even enter a church   )

[Guardian85]

As for being genetically coded to be religious, almost true. We are as a species genetically predisposed to living in packs. Therefore we seek to find  groups to belong to.

Yes, but it's still a stretch to think that you can look at someone's genes and decide if they will be atheist or theist.  Even some epileptics who have vivid religious experiences are atheists.  At most there could be a genetic tendency towards skepticism but that doesn't guarantee atheism...and anyone who has hung out around a bunch of skeptics knows that even they can have some very odd beliefs despite their skepticism (like being afraid to even enter a church   )

That is not what I said. I said that we are all encoded to a greater or lesser extent to seek belonging in a group, and the churches tend to be central groups in many societies. Some people get into charity organisations or clubs for similar reasons. It was not to say that there is a gene for theism and another for atheism, just a gene to encourage pack mentality.
We are probably acting on a variation of the same basic group mentality when we commune on this forum.

[joeactor]

... I'd have to go for "nurture" over "nature" on this one... although the group idea that guardian presents makes sense also.

I thought about whether being agnostic was a genetic trait, but came to the conclusion that I don't know...

[terranus]

Hmm...

Not sure if it's atheism/agnosticism or just pure intelligence in general that gets inherited. I think I would be more inclined towards the latter. But then, I have no proof for either. I definitely think it is something worth studying further, however.

[Alexander]

Maybe it's not so much atheism that is genetic, but intelligence. After all, there is a positive correlation between high IQs and atheism.

[Jester]

Maybe it's not so much atheism that is genetic, but intelligence. After all, there is a positive correlation between high IQs and atheism.

This! Both of my parents have very high IQs, I took a state-mandated test in fourth grade that confirmed it for me as well, and BAM, we're all atheist.

I expect for my children to be atheist as well, though I won't force it on them.

[skwurll]

I expect for my children to be atheist as well, though I won't force it on them.

You don't have to force them, all people are born atheist.

[ForTheLoveOfAll]

Sounds like your kid has a mind much more in touch with reality than 90% of the surface population already. Bravo!  

[rawrdog822]

I don't know if it's in our genes.  I come from a Catholic family and many atheists come from religious families as well.  It does have something to do with intellect however, because there have been studies that show atheism is linked to higher education.