how do i tell my parents that i am an athiest (a person who believes in no religon)?

Question

Please explain the process in which i should tell them and how. please give serious answers.

Answer 1

Say, "Mom, Dad, I'm an Atheist." Keep it simple and to the point. If you truly believe in this, stand by your choice. It is your choice and no one else can make it for you. Free Will. I do hope you will keep a open mind should God try to convince you to re-think your choice.

Answer 2

I have a friend who is satanic, mind you that is just his religion. He does not do the whole hollywood ritual garbage. He just views his beliefs differently than others. He told his mom and dad, who are stout christians who activly participate in their local church activities. He told them when he was 15 he is now 22 and has not changed his beliefs. We are in the military and the Army recognizes many diffrent religons and supports their respective beliefs. His parents took it as a joke at first as a sign of rebelion but later through the years he studied the religons of many beliefs and still came back to satanic. His father accepted it as he researched it and chose it as a responsable adult. his mother on the other hand did not take it well but that does not change the way she feels about him. We have been friends for years and he has seen many forms of ridicule but he stuck with it and his parents respect him.

Answer 3

Just let them know that you have studied it and come to the conclusion that there is no god. Let them know that it is not out of rebellion (which i hope it's not) and that you are sincere. Don't let them try to appeal to your emotions when telling them..ask them if they have answers to your questions and listen to them and tell them why you can't accept them.

A lot of parents will just think you are going through a stage, and won't make much of it. It is important to let them know you are sincere and give them some reasons why you have became an atheist so they don't just think you are doing it out of rebellion.

Dan Barker was a preacher for 19 years and his parents where heavily into the church. Upon him telling them he was an atheist now and giving them the reasons, within a matter of weeks they deconverted. I think because they knew Dan was sincere.

To learn more about Dan..

http://www.ffrf.org/about/bio_dan.php

Answer 4

Wait until they bring it up. If they are religious, they will just ridicule you. If you're ready to handle it, then tell them openly and be ready with facts and sources to counteract their blind faith.
It's really important avoid making them feel attacked. If you do that, there's no hope of them ever respecting your choice.

But if you can, wait until it comes up at Christmas or something when they catch you not praying. I don't know your family, but I've been where you are. Just know your facts and hold your ground, and you'll be okay.

In all honesty, their opinion won't matter in the end. They can close their eyes at night thinking you're being condemned to hell, and you can rest assure that literally nothing will happen.

Answer 5

Are you sure you are not an agnostic? Atheists do not believe in God. Agnostics believe in God,but not organized religion. If it is the religion you have a problem with and not lack of faith in God, figure out what it is about the religion that makes you a non-believer. Present your views to your parents in a matter of fact, observational way. If you approach them with well thought out reasons and speak about it in a mature way, they should at least listen to your views. First figure out which definition you fall into. Prepare your argument to your parents and take it from there. Do your homework first and be prepared to back up your statements. You can't just say to them "I don't believe" without an explanation as to why you have come to this decision. Good Luck !!

Answer 6

my situation is not the same but was just as hard on my family,my father is a missionary and my all my family work in the church,i recently reverted to Islam.I held off for a long time telling them,but could not live like this anymore,it was very difficult,i told my mother first,i thought she would take it easier,none of it was easy for them,but lifted alot off my chest,i just chose a day and sat them down and told them,they will proubly never understand the reasoning and you will see the hurt in their eyes every time they look at you,there is no easy way.good luck

Answer 7

If you have a reason, you should be able to articulate them. Be honest and tell them straight out. If you have questions, you should have them answered and if your parents do not answer them to your satisfaction, you should keep searching for answers. I would caution you about saying "there is no God". Since you cannot prove the negative, you should be open minded enough to at least consider the possibility.

Answer 8

I think that you should just tell them. I'm sure they'll talk to you. I'm sure they might have hurt feelings. I'm sure it will be a very awkward scenario. But just tell them instead of pretending and lying and hiding. After this, just keep quiet. Don't make any remarks about religious stuff. Since you don't believe in one, there's really no point in getting into an argument about it.

Answer 9

Write them a letter, put it on their pillow, and sleep over someone's house for the night. Warn the person that you might have to go home early, though.

Answer 10

Just do like the atheists in here do. "Mom, dad, I have something to tell you, you are idiots for believing in something that isn't true. You have the IQ of a worm". You know, just the usual stuff atheist say and think.