In western societies such as the USA and Europe we demand a greater level of proof in a daily lives for everything except immigration levels, as this filters into our collective psyche religions keep failing to provide proof.
Then as we begin to know more about the world, we start to find out that there are many alleged one true gods - about 42 at the moment!
So how can religion stand up to scrutiny, well it doesn't.

I think the question itself is wanting, because it suggests that people choose atheism or religion consciously. I'd be happier with the question if it asked what is convincing about atheism. I realize the school has a particular perspective and this question fits into a biased narrative about the allure of the secular world, but it won't spark critical thinking on this issue because it's framed in a way that keeps students on guard against nonbelief. Despite that, I agree with your response. Religion provides answers without explanation, so belief is easy. By contrast, nonbelief requires being comfortable not having all of the answers, and for many of us that's hard — but the desire to discover the deeper explanation has to be stronger than the desire for a shallow answer. Unfortunately, a lot of people seem to be so uncomfortable with having no definitive answer that they're happy to insert magic and divine mystery to quell that feeling of uncertainty. And, of course, trying to find meaning in tragedy and to come to terms with mortality are powerful motivators for belief; emotion, especially fear, overpowers rationality. "I don't know" and "I see no evidence to support that claim" are perfectly reasonable stances, but they're not as comforting as "We have the answer, and that answer is 'God.' Amen!"

I think you explained it well to your religious friend. Maybe, you got her to question the bs and some day might leave bs of religion.

Welcome back, glad you are back, you were missed! I loved your explanation and it lines up with my own way of thinking! I hope she heard you...at that level of understanding!

Looks like you pretty much covered it. I agree, it's harder not being part of the crowd. It's not really "attractive" to go against the crowd, is it? But the more we know, the less we need fairy tales to explain. It's like once you know it's your parents, and there's no Santa, there's no reason to keep believing it. But it was fun while it lasted to believe such fantasy stories.

1. Science - it is all in the facts or lack there of

2. Hypocrisy- if you are going to espouse some philosophy of love and acceptance (based on a physical manifestation named Jesus), then you should try to have some

Good answer!

That is a good answer. I am also one who got my first college degree from a xian, Lutheran, college. I also took 5 of the religion classes while there. Those things are what also started my becoming a nonbeliever.

Agreed and welcome back!

I agree with the "Religion is more attractive" - absolutely - and so much easier to get along in todays society if you are a believer.

Science and Logic made religion impossible for me to believe.
I've never been a good one to drop the "Just because god says" answer on.

I think you did great.

Welcome back!

Religion is easier

I think you did a great job of explaining it. There is a second use of religion and that is controlling a large group of people, mostly through fear (eternity in hell, etc). Today people are educated and lost their superstitious fears.

You have given a very good answer. Just as religionists progressed the study of the bible, we must progress the study of science in our own lives. Not in a laboratory but in ways that can affect everyone personally. Just to ask for evidence is a good start. Please see my science teacher group on this site . You do not have to be a teacher only interested in science education. Amongst other things we start at a very basic level i.e. What IS science? Lots of people have misconceptions.

“Against the Gods” is a book detailing how we lost the need for supernatural explanations as time progressed and our knowledge, specifically in statistics, increased. As for how “attractive” atheism is, I like the House quote “I find it more comforting to believe that this isn’t merely a test” echoing the idea that life is precious because it is finite. Not the outlook I personally take, but more or less agree with the sentiment.
Many of the youth often have moral objections to the church such as transgressions against LGBTQ+ groups and misogynistic views of gender roles. Many also see the fact that there are many claims of religion that are not only unsubstantiated, but provably false.

Depending in the friend I could have answered in that way or in the more hitchens way, it's a moronic dark age belief structure designed to oppress woman and scare people into submission into a man's mans world