I was raised as a lutheran, in a small town where everybody “believed.” At age 8 or so, I began to see that I was being asked to believe some rather improbable things (wait a minute...talking snakes? wait, nobody else in the whole world had a boat?). The “decision” to be atheist came from the realization that what the theists believed simply made no sense.

I don't think I was ever completely indoctrinated. We attended church when I was very young but didn't discuss much about religion outside of that. Plus, my mother was not a believer, though she didn't really make that known until later. We stopped going to church before I really understood what it was all about. I guess I grew up with the belief that you should be a good person and that should be enough. I tried for many years to be a believer, but could never get past my doubt. I guess I finally accepted in my 40s maybe, that I just don't believe any of it. Now I look at my believer friends (most are...I live in the south), and wonder how they do not question it. Especially my educated friends. Indoctrination is the only explanation I can come up with.

I was brainwashed since birth - church 3 times a week, bible study 5 nights a week. My siblings still go and believe - im the Black Sheep. I was about 18 when it dawned on me the evolution was not only possible, but it had to be true. All the evidence supports evolution.

I am an atheist it wasn't a conscious decision as much as it was a realization. I didn't choose not to believe, I just didn't encounter a sensible and persuasive argument in favor of faith.

I didn't choose not to believe in sasquatch either, I reviewed evidence critically and was not convinced.

I woke up!!!

It's a personal choice after one reach certain level of awareness

I decided at age 13 to cut all ties with the church

Belief isn't something decided on, belief just happens. Either believe something or don't believe something. If a "decision" to believe is made, then how can it really be belief.

I didn't know what to call myself for a while and then realized that my beliefs fit the definition of agnostic.