Im an athiest and my grandma dosent know yet. if I tell her i think she will freak. what should i do?

Answer 1

from an ethical stand point you can just keep your views to yourself. I am Buddhist, and don't go tossing my religous perspective in my Lutheran family's face. My grandma would have a fit too... so would my dad. (my mom would not care- they're divorced so we can talk about things like that).

but sometimes IMO it's about ethics, keeping family peace, and being kind to your family in spite of what they may say or think, even if you may disagree with them...
so if grandma asks you when you went to church last or why you don't go, just be kind & tell her you haven't been in a while, or you just haven't found one you like. It's the truth in a polite manner without giving her a stroke or causing an uproar.
atheists can still be ethical, can't they?

Answer 2

You have two options:

1: Don't tell her. If she's really old (I know, this sounds mean...) or you don't see her a lot, then you might as well not tell her. Especially if it will only cause conflict. Atheism is not homosexuality, you don't have to come non-believer out of the closet...Nor is it faith, where you have to proclaim it loud and proud. So if it will do more harm than good, it may be best that she never know.

2. However, if you're like me, and don't mind a bit of controversy for the sake of speaking your mind...You'll need to do it carefully with someone you care about. When the opportunity comes up, you should know. It should be no where near church, or the discussion of all things...churchy and religious. Also, she should be in a decent mood. Not a great mood, but not a bad one either. A neutral one. Calmly bring up the subject. Just don't scream, "OMG Grandmother! I r teh evil atheist! Harhar!"

This should be like talking to a friend of yours that's upset you. Use I a lot, don't accuse, and don't attack. Do NOT tell her that her God is false, no matter how true that is. Do not accuse her of ignorance, because she's put a LOT of time into belief I would assume, and will probably believe until the day she dies. You're not converting anyone to an atheist.

INSTEAD, begin by sharing some of your views, and remember to use I. Do not say things like, "The Christians believe that a book is telling them the honest to goodness truth, when there's plenty of science to the contrary." Instead, make it something like, "I cannot personally view a book written so long ago, by mankind, and believe it has more truth than modern science. It's how i feel."

If she doesn't get it after you explain some of your views, and pick the kindest views you can, then flat out tell her you're an atheist. The goal, of course, is to tell her this in a kind way without acting like you're trying to convert her. If she gets angry, keep your cool. If she says she'll pray for you, tell her thank you. Tell her that while it's pointless because you do not intend to come back to the fold, you appreciate that she loves you enough to do that. Basically, by the kind and gentle atheist that Christians fear the most. :D They don't like the fact that we're actually good people rubbed in their faces.

Answer 3

1. Keep working out your spiritual path and never consider it "settled" (whether you stick with atheism or search for God) -- there is no moment when everything is finished and you've reached real permanent closure with no need of future investment.

2. Make sure your beliefs are not what is fashionable but based on what your explorations and experiences have shown you -- and get advice from people further down the road from different beliefs so that you are not confined to your own experiences/interpretations.

3. Love your grandma. If you think it'll kill her to know and you don't need to tell her, don't tell her unnecessarily ... even if she should be more understandable. If she presses the issue and you can't avoid telling her, then just tell her at this time you don't believe in God ... and don't let her [negative] reaction ruffle you or lead you to respond in a negative way to her. Just accept her disagreement for what it is, and keep your relationship in place.

Meanwhile, it does you no harm to listen to her, if she explains herself clearly. Your belief system does have to be your own, but there should be no fear of listening to someone else and seeing what they believe -- if they are unconvincing, no harm done, and if they are convincing, then you have benefited from their involvement.

Answer 4

hi im an atheist but i prefer the word rationalist i mean if god shows up in front of me i will not say you dont exist .
anyway yourgranma dosent need to know she will worry a lot thinking you will go to hell.
just dont speak about it and if the topic comes out keep quiet

Answer 5

Change your views (I mean that seriously).

You have so much to gain from being a non-Athiest.

Answer 6

She's your grandma, and if she's in her right mind she will love you nonetheless...the same way that God will love you nonetheless (that is, in Christian belief, I know you don't believe in Him).

Answer 7

wise up , before it is to late