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Question: Why should I consider atheism?
This can be a difficult question to answer without knowing more about a person's particular situation. There are two ways to interpret it: why should you, an individual in a specific situation, consider being an atheist, and why should anyone at all consider atheism and the challenges which atheism and atheists present to theistic beliefs?
The second question should be addressed first. Theists who are open-minded should take seriously the skeptical questions about their beliefs, because to do anything else requires assuming that it is impossible that they could be mistaken. Atheism can offer one of the most serious skeptical challenges to theism because atheists don't simply doubt this or that doctrine - atheists disbelieve even the most fundamental characteristic of any theistic system, the belief in a god.
In addition, for many theistic belief systems, the very existence of atheists poses a serious challenge. Many theists believe in a loving, omnipotent god who wants everyone to believe in it. If that is true, then how could it be possible for anyone to not believe? That atheists exist would suggest that, if a god exists, then this god isn't too bothered by the presence of doubt and disbelief among humans.
So, why should any particular person consider being an atheist? Disbelieving in the existence of gods should be considered a realistic option in the context of skeptical questions about theism, because it is possible that the atheistic challenges cannot be met by theism. If it is true that theism is not up to the task, then atheism remains the only rational option. In other words, if one is not able to offer a good, rational basis for accepting theism in the face of atheist questions, then atheism is a reasonable path - and perhaps the only reasonable one.
It really isn't a good idea to hold fast to a belief after you find yourself unable to adequately defend it with reason, logic or evidence. It may not be the right time to abandon it completely, but your commitment to it should only be as strong as the evidence and reasons supporting it - and, in this context, that commitment should become rather weak indeed.
Later, you may come across reasons for theism which do pass the test of skepticism and atheist questioning - if so, great! Until then, however, it is preferable to accept that the weight of reason and evidence are against theism and that an active theistic belief isn't entirely justified. Because atheism isn't something a person chooses through an act of will, that isn't a reason to consider "adopting" atheism. Rather, it is a reason to consider that you already are an atheist now.
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