Atheists, should I disown a Christian family member?

Question

I have a cousin who has gone full blown evangelical-like Christian. Everytime I see him I hear about how the "lord this" and "lord that" and I guess I have just lost all respect for him. I used to feel that he was an intelligent person but now I realize that he is obviously mentally inferior and I am embarassed to even be seen around him. Should I just be done with him or is it possible for his senses to return and he will dump this Christian bull-chit?

Answer 1

Nope, you certainly shouldn't disown him. Family should remain family even with differences in political or religious views. That doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of time around him. If he is fixated on discussing religion and you don't agree with him on that subject then it can't be much fun spending time with him. But in terms of family events and remaining civil- don't let differences in points of view ruin things.
He might grow out of his religious fundamentalism someday, but if you treat him poorly because of it now he's not likely to want to hang out with you even then. How people behave toward each other is far more important than what religious or political decisions they make.

Answer 2

This happens form time to time. It's like a cultural flu that runs rampant through sectors of the society. Inevitably it blows over, even though many are left deeply scarred by the experience. I myself have one such white sheep in the family. We try to be kind and patient with him. So when he goes into his "Repent!" mode, we just smile and say, "Yes dear, just as soon as we finish supper. Please pass the salt." Other than, there is the inconvenience of not being able to have a reasonable conversation on most topics if he's around, but you can always put those off.

On the other hand, it hasn't been all bad. His new "calling" at least gives him a steady income, and the women he meets in church are not as dangerous as his previous gals.

Answer 3

It almost sounds like he is in a Christian cult. You may need to intervene and get some deprogrammers in there to rescue him and then deprogram him. Is he giving all his money to this religion? Has he pretty much cut all ties with the family except through the group? Does he speak of nothing but his religion? Does he spent most of his time in the company of this group?

These are all serious warning signs of cultic behaviors. You will find that a psychologist might be of hellp with this more than Yahoo Answers. Get his immediate family involved in the discussion, of course. If he is underage, they may be able to do something legally. If he is an adult, there is little one can do about a rescue.

In any case, do not give up on someone you love. Live your life as a beacon to him. Do not engage him in debate because cultists are trained to completely ignore anything off their mind maps. (example: you think you can argue with a Scientologist about THEIR "religion" after thay have spent thousands of dollars to go clear? Hardly!)

Be prepared for irrational accusations. Remember that cultists are trained to see anyone not actively within their cult to be Satanic. For that reason, do not allow them access to your sleeping body. You can no longer trust them not to kill you in the name of their God. Lock your doors tightly.

Best of luck. It may not be this serious. Many Christians are very rational and nice people. I am sure you will meet some.

Answer 4

No!! Just because he believes the hype does not mean that he is not intelligent. Fear is a very strong motivator... The security blanket that a belief in a god gives can be quite comforting to some as well... When he is ready to give it up, he will, but my suggestion is to not try and force it.

I'd suggest changing the subject when he's around if he brings it up... Let him know how you feel about him blabbing about something that you know is bull-chit and you wish that he's stop and try to find some common ground. If he wants to disassociate himself from you after that, then that's on him. Your concious will be clean... but personally, I try to never turn my back on family,,, especially over something as silly as an imaginary god.

Answer 5

Just let him know that his sort of rhetoric is not acceptable in your house or around you. If he doesn't stop then he obviously doesn't care about your wishes or your feelings. (which would be typical for a christian) so at that point you simply, as you put it, disown him and leave him to wallow in his fantasy-land of ignorance.
Hopefully this will work out for the best. Good luck.

Answer 6

None - and (with the aid of fact the previous cliche is going) I definitely have acquaintances and kinfolk who're gay and/or atheist and who've distinctive non secular ideals. Christianity (following Christ's occasion - attempting to be as very equivalent to Him as attainable) is approximately peace, and love of your fellow individual and likewise loving your self sufficient to safeguard your self - no longer hate and exclusion. i don't understand Christians who've the U. S. vs. them mentality. Christians are to stay in accordance to the be responsive to God - the Bible is for the church - to no longer be used to overcome people excessive. in spite of this - could you disown a relatives member or buddy who committed a heinous crime? this is the extra stable question.

Answer 7

He is high of the Lord right now. Give him time, he will settle down. If he continues though, tell him how uncomfortable you feel around him. If he is any kind of Christian he will respect your wishes.

Answer 8

Oh come on just let him be. On the other hand can you disown him? If u have the rights to do so then sure go ahead. I'm sure his god can take care of him, Either way why should u care about what that loser does.

Answer 9

This is why nobody likes athiests. They think they're so smart, and anyone who actually believes in something unseen must be retarded. I can say that having anyone preach to them relentlessly is annoying, but your cousin is trying to do you a favor. It would probably be better for your cousin if you'd just leave him alone so he can spread the word to someone who will actually listen.

Answer 10

Everyone has their own beliefs...Athiest, Pagans, Buddist..everyone needs to just learn to respect other beliefs and stop trying to "convert" Everything that goes aginst their beliefs. I am sure if you sat down you cousin and told him you dont appreciate his extreme love of god in your pressence..he might ease up on it around you. You can still get along even though you have differences...Hell hes family.