I came across some discussions/debates about atheism not being an actual "choice". The points made in favor of this argument are fairly convincing versus the arguments suggesting it is choice. Most of it (I think) may boil down to how people are defining atheism and disbelief, as well as the differences between agnostic-atheism/atheism/and what they're paradoxically calling 'evangelical atheism'. "There is a difference"
Atheism: Basic social understanding of the word
1.) A 'belief' that God does not exist. -versus- 2.) Lack of 'belief' that there is a God.
Dictionary.com definition:
1.the doctrine or belief that there is no God.
2. disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings.
American Atheists definition:
1.)Atheism is usually defined incorrectly as a belief system. Atheism is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods; it is a lack of belief in gods.
You can probably see how the bias to one of these definitions over the other may complicate the question at hand.
To make a long explanation short in support of 'Agnosticism-Atheism' not actually being a choice in the way most people use the word is, "Disbelief is not a choice". Unless a person quite literally states they have the desire to NOT believe there is a God. Then that would suggest the persons intent in the beginning was bias and they actually 'believed' something beforehand. But if a person just isn't swayed to believe after being presented the evidence for and against it, than it's not essentially 'choice'. In terms that the person no more chooses to have disbelief that there is actually a literal and physical Santa Claus that personally goes around each year spreading presents to an insane number of children in one night. Or choosing to believe that there is a sock on my foot.
I will admit though I probably do have a personal bias to be in favor of this understanding, it makes the most sense to me personally. But, I'm interested to know what people opposed to this concept logical reasons are. So if you could explain in logical terms why this doesn't make sense, or why it's wrong without just saying something like "Because God said/the Bible says" that'd be great. Thanks for taking the time to read this thread hope it was interesting to at least some of you.