I am an atheist and my mom doesn't want me to say anything to my grandparents so as not to upset them. Should I graciously accept the religious gifts every year, or should I "come out of the closet", so to speak...
2006-12-18 02:16:08 · 9 answers · asked by Squirrel 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Thanks teh, good advice.
2006-12-18 02:19:24 · update #1
Don't sound so harsh Bert, I am only asking a question.
2006-12-18 02:22:23 · update #2
Lingua, You didn't answer my question and I don't belive in god, what part of that don't you understand??????
2006-12-18 02:58:04 · update #3
Erhead, I am a grown adult.
2006-12-20 00:40:47 · update #4
I hope you find God. Ask him to be in your heart. Faith is wonderful gift. Your Grandparents are attempting to give you the best gift of all. I'd stop fighting it and just try to have God in your life. You'll be pleasantly surprized.
2006-12-18 02:46:09 · answer #1 · answered by Think.for.your.self 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My family is the same way, and depending on your age I'd tell them that you've done some soul searching and rethought your faith. I'm 12 and I do not think right now would be a great time to tell my family. It would cause family issues that are not worth the battle. But as you grow up and are an adult, tell them your beliefs and if they don't respect them you aren't obligated to come to family gatherings.
2006-12-19 09:16:23 · answer #2 · answered by leroy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your grandparents sound like they are religion Christians. I think what your mom is saying is to prevent your grandparents from getting hurt. If you are close with your grandparents and you think they will understand, I think you should be able to be truthful with them. However, make sure you tell them at the right time. Don't tell them right after they've given you the gift, because they may get embarrassed and in my experience, elderly people can be quite sensitive. Maybe if you want to invite them over for lunch or dinner one day, or you want to go over to their house and tell them "I have something really important to tell you" and be open and honest. Say that you respect their decision to be Christian but you do not believe in God (for whatever reason you don't) and try to explain to them that it is nothing against them, it is just a personal choice you've made in your life. That's all I can tell you. I don't celebrate Christmas so I have never been in this EXACT situation because I'm muslim. I've been a similiar situation though. It's sort of complicated but basically, my in laws have certain beliefs of Islam and my own immediate family have completely different ones. Mind you, they get along very well, but they are both sort of against the other's beliefs. My in laws try to preach their area of Islam to me but since I was raised by my family and am so used to their Islam, then of course that is what I believe. I have been open and honest with my in laws and I told them that I don't believe in what they believe in due to certain reasons yet, they still try to preach to me till this day. So keep in mind, that they are your grandparents and if they are devout Christians, they will most likely preach to you even after you have opened up with them. And like someone else said, just grin and bear it. That's what I do because I don't want to hurt my in laws or my parents. After all they are both family, but still, in the long run, I am the only one who is in charge of my beliefs, not them. I hope this advice helps you. Good luck.
2006-12-18 03:05:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No - what's the point of coming out of the closet? It will just start an argument - and for what? Your GPs certainly aren't going to change and you don't need their approval anyway. Making an issue of it will only result in bickering and who wants that at Christmas?
2006-12-18 02:20:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's hard to say, if they're really old sometimes it's better to just accept the gift, because they are usually set in their ways, and you can't change them. If they are younger and have an open mind, they might understand that not everyone is alike, it might work.
2006-12-18 02:23:18 · answer #5 · answered by nobody 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did you ever stop to consider that maybe God is working through them to bring you in, don't be harsh with them you may hurt feelings here, i for one am a true believer and have had many messages from the Father. Come on in you just may love it.
2006-12-18 03:05:39 · answer #6 · answered by L J 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had the same trial. Dont upset the aged. Smile and thank them graciously.
2006-12-21 05:18:06 · answer #7 · answered by miladybc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hahaha. My family does the same thing. Grin and bear it. And then sell it on eBay.
2006-12-18 02:18:35 · answer #8 · answered by teh Diana 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't upset her, she might attempt to "draw you away from sin/ Satan", and really, who wants that? Donate the stuff or sell it online.
2006-12-18 02:20:05 · answer #9 · answered by reverenceofme 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋