How can you disbelieve religion if you haven't studied the actual claims?

Religious people have been doing it to each other since the beginning.

They always dismiss the beliefs of others without taking the time to actually learn what those beliefs are.

> How can you disbelieve religion if you haven't studied the actual claims?

You don't mention Christianity specifically, but this question illustrates Christard Fallacy 24(c) -- "We're so good and pure and holy that the only reason any sane person wouldn't join us is that they've never heard of us." It's those fools who hit non-believers with lines like "just read John 3:16 and you'll understand" -- as if the rest of us aren't already aware of the basic claims of Christianity.

Atheists, in general, know more about religion that theists do.

I've read over the bible, and I know that many of the Atheists here have as well.

The question should read "How can you BELIEVE religion if you haven't studied the actual claims?"

An individual will start with the first proposition made to them. They can not accept that claim based on its current lack of supporting evidence, without rejecting all claims that you personally group with it(a religion as a whole).

Just because it's old and contains universal truths doesn't make it real. Frankly, I'm surprised you assume atheists HAVE NOT studied religions. In most cases, they understand religions better than those who believe in them.

"A thorough reading and understanding of the Bible is the surest path to atheism." ~ Donald Morgan

How do you know what I have and have not studied?

Much like cars, you need not have studied every single religion, to understand that they all work in pretty much the same way.

You mean the things theists spout are not the actual claims of their religions?

But wait, if these religions are full of liars, why do I need to research further?

I have, and sorry, nothing profound about a book of fairy tales, just because something is "old" does not make it true.

@Joe, I know a lot of conservative atheists, and please, elaborate on exactly how talking snakes, magic apples, talking, burning bushes, and worldwide floods complete with an animal life raft has any semblance of "logic".

All religions are man made to control societies, shape cultures. The faster mankind realizes that, the faster our we can better ourselves and provide a better future

Simple. Religions are based on a god being true (theism).

I know no gods exist due to the complete lack of evidence for any one of them.

Therefore religions must also be false, based as they are on the one known falsehood.

Again.