michael_nielsen

If you had to pick one thing you've read that changed the course of your life, what would it be? (ht @rivatez for the question.)

When I was 5, my parents bought me a pair of books that really changed the course of my life. One was a Children's Bible. The other was the Childcraft Encyclopedia, especially vol 4, "World and Space", and vol 11, "Make and Do" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childcraft  ).

One (unintended) effect was that I became an atheist. But the larger effect of both was to open up the universe. Living in rural Australia at the time, where the local pub was the height of culture. Didn't know it then, but my parents must have saved for months or years.

Did you become an atheist at 5?

Around then. I tend to think of 7 as when I first really articulated it (to my brother). But I was certainly very uncomfortable with religion by age 5 or 6. Of course, it was a very unsophisticated atheism.

What in the concept of God bothered you then? (Thanks for replying, btw!)

The reasons for my atheism would require a book to unpack (nice idea for a project, actually). Of course, current me's reasons are certainly very different from 5 year old me's.