Question for Atheists?

Question

How does your lack of faith differ from your family's? My brother and I are always fighting and arguing about the bible and "faith". I try to end it peacefully, but there's only so many times I would allow him to tell me I'm going to hell. My parents allowed us to pick our own religion, so they don't mind at all. But my brother still condemns them because they don't go to church. Does your family question your integrity and values just because you're an atheist? Do you have a relative that just gets under your skin about this?

Lets see how many fundies answer a question marked only for atheists....

Answer 1

Nah, my parents are atheists as well. That sucks though about your brother :(

Answer 2

Well I guess I'm pretty lucky, my mom was raised Catholic but she's not religious at all, my dad is like the Super Atheist lol so no worries there. I always went to Catholic schools because they're just better here in Belgium but I'm not religious at all so...
Also my mom never had me baptized because she felt that I should be able to choose a religion if I wanted when I was old enough to make such a decision. Actually now that I think of it my mom and I were talking earlier and and we were joking about all those fanatical religious people out there and we were joking about how I was probably going to hell later...even though we both agree the only hell is here on earth.

But no I guess there's no one in my family that bugs me about this because we just don't talk about that kind of things and I don't really have anybody that's really religious in my family, just the usual Catholics.

I used to have a teacher though that would really bug me about not being baptized and being in a Catholic school but apart from that...nothing.

I am who I am and I believe whatever I choose to, if bugs someone, too bad for them, I'm happy the way I am.

Answer 3

No. My family consists of my mom who is Charismatic Roman Catholic, my father who is (depending on the day) either agnostic or deist, me (rabidly atheistic), and my sister & her husband who are traditional Roman Catholic.

Religion just isn't discussed much. My mother does come to me regularly needing help understanding or interpretting the Bible or the Catechism, because I was studying for some time in dilligent effort to join the Roman Catholic Priesthood, and am able & willing to separate my personal beliefs from the discussion to help her find the depths and beauty in what she believes. My mother has a simple but depth faith -- she doesn't understand most of what the Church believes but it is meaningful to her to believe it, so I try to leave her alone unless she says something really stupid. As she says, "J.P., I don't have the logic or science or understanding you do. Who cares if creationism, intelligent design, or evolution is right? God created, how I don't care, and that's truth enough for me." In many ways, I feel sorry for my mother, because while I was growing up, the family was all catholic, and with my sister moved out, my father a deist/agnostic, and me an atheist, mom feels kinda lonely.

I save my real hard-core discussion/debate for a family friend who is an ordained Roman Catholic deacon who has taken more biblical lessons & classes than I have, from more denominational views than I have. We have the kind of knock-down, drag-out bloody debates, discussions, and arguments that are the ultimate fiery cruicible from which truth is refined from the ore.

Respect's the key, man. If he doesn't respect you, just don't have the conversation with him.

Answer 4

Due to the fact that my parents' lives would become considerably more difficult if they were to learn that I'm an atheist... I haven't bothered telling them.

I would actually rather let them think I'm just another Christian than force them to confront a reality that would be too painful for them. And that's the way I treat the subject with most people, actually. The only time I really go into it with someone is if they are actively seeking a debate, or they are doing something in the name of their religion that I find worthy of criticizing.

Answer 5

My Mother was Jewish.
My Father was Roman Catholic .
My 2 brothers and I were exposed to both religions .
Both of my brothers follow what their wives are .
#1 brother -Catholic
# 2 Brother Born Again .
We don`t try and convert one another for we all know it is only a belief.
Niether my Mother or Father were able to convince us to totally believe in God .
They did however convince us not be good people .
They taught us compassion for others and respect for all .
My Father also taught us that it is not what a man believes that is important but how he lives .
We all grew up knowing right from wrong and not to LIE.
Both brothers still are not convinced of a true and living God .
Both of my brothers would say that I am the most intelligent and kind one of the 3 .
I at least did not sell out my disbelief just to keep the peace .

Answer 6

my mom's faith and conversion of her own children was so profound she pushed all 5 children into various religions

Roman Catholic
Liberal Quaker
Mormon
Athiest
Metaphysical modern christian H/W

my family tries not to talk about it, but now all kids are adults and vehemently stick to thier freedom to choose thier own heresy

any yes, if we then do (and did) choose to leave we are then heathens

the Amish have a unique take on this

they are raised Dutch Amish (mennonite, meteorites whatever) but at age 16 they are allowed to choose own faith

if they return there is a ritual done and acceptance by that community, but if they then leave, they are permanently ostracized and excommunicated

if they leave at Rumspringa and don't come back, many stay in limbo and touch and go but ride that fence

the word excommunicate just seems to go against love or maturity, more like Paul and intollerance or hate from N. Testament than anything

Answer 7

My parents are agnostics, and I guess I was too as a child. Later on I became an atheist. My family don't have a problem with it, though most of my relatives on my mother's side are Christians and they might be a little less understanding if they didn't live in another state.

Answer 8

My parents also let us choose our own religion, they are both theists, I am Buddhist, My sister is too, and my brother is atheist and my youngest sister is undecided. My Grandma on my dads side is a fundy though, she sometimes tries to convert me. Study the Christian beliefs and use that knowledge to debunk your brother's arguments with his own scripture, for example "judge not lest ye be judged". I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 9

My family is pretty easy going where religion is. I have the benefit of being the most mystical person, but that's only because I play my cards close to my chest. Piece of advice, the next time he says you're going to hell, tell him you'll be holding the gates open for him.

Answer 10

Most everyone in my family is an Atheist, so that's no problem.

With the exception of my father. He hasn't spoken to me in 27 years for that very reason.

He's very closed minded, and can't get past the fact that I choose not to believe. But as a whole, religion is rarely discussed.

Answer 11

It can be difficult because of the emotional ties but it is pointless trying to discuss religion rationally with a believer since the belief is irrational. Suggest you tell them that you want to take your own decisions and responsibility for your own life and request them to respect that position. No doubt easier said than done.