Why is it that Atheist seem to know more about belief systems than the people who are believers?

Question

Why is it that Atheist seem to know more about belief systems than the people who are believers?

Answer 1

We researched our religion with an unbiased eye. We were religious in the beginning, but as we got to know more about our faith, it started to crumble.

Answer 2

We are relatively objective observers.  

Answer 3

One word, four syllables.

Education.

Answer 4

Because most atheists were religious at one time.  

They have more desire for knowledge, and won't settle for something that doesn't make any sense.

This leads them to research and 'listen' to what is being said and view all religions equally from the outside.

Answer 5

Good question.  The answer parallels the reason that Satan knows the Bible.

Answer 6

Because atheists can view these systems with unblinded eyes.

Many have also been part of these belief systems themselves, and can look back without bias.

Answer 7

I know that many atheists, like myself, studied many different religions with the hope that they would find one they could believe in.

Of course, they retain much of that knowledge even after they've become an atheist...  

Answer 8

The same reason a surgeon knows more about tumors than most people that have them.

Hey, that comparison works on a couple levels.

Answer 9

Because outside observers are observing all of them. Believers are largely just concerned with their own.

Answer 10

Well you normally only discover that someone is an atheist if they're discussing religion, and someone who chooses to discuss religion probably has an interest in the subject, and hence is likely to be knowledgeable about it.

A lot of theists just accept the religion they were labelled with as children and never really take an interest in it objectively.

Answer 11

Simple, the same reason as why as a citizen of a country, they seems to know more about their governing system then their government. They are the ones at the receiving end.

For example, a government can tell proudly to the citizens of it's country that it is giving a tax rebate of 10% if the citizen reported taxable income as 1 billion or more. Somehow this government will think it has given a great concession to it's citizen. However, the citizens will say, "Duh .... tell me how many people earn or even declare their taxable income as 1 billion or more?".