Atheist with a catholic or christian family.....Sorry I wrote so much?

Question

I'm fourteen and I'm Atheist. Thing is, my family doesn't know. Only my friends USED to know. My family's a bunch of devoted catholic stuff and I don't believe in any of it at all. I never did. But I go to church because I feel it's not a big deal and I was going to tell them once I moved out. So, no adults USED to know that I was atheist, I kept it to me and my friends because I always thought that the adults would tell my parents about it and I don't know what I'd do: My parents would stop talking to me and my older brother would kill me because he wants to be a preist and he doesn't want any non believer that he knows alive. My teachers found out that I was Atheist and I'm really worried that they'll tell my family by mistake next week during a parent teacher conference. I don't know what to do. I can't let my family know that I'm an atheist yet. You have no idea how devoted they are. So, please, if you have any advice on what I should do, please let me know! Thank you so much

Answer 1

Go to your teacher's first and explain your predicament. If they respect you, they should respect your wishes for privacy in this matter. And, things that you tell a teacher should be confidential unless those things have to do with harm to yourself or others. Just ask them to keep what they know to themselves and they should.

Answer 2

Why be ashamed about being in the default position? We're all born with the lack of belief - you just happen to STILL not believe in something of which has no evidence (i.e., theism). There is nothing wrong with that.

I'm an atheist, 19 years old, who has a Christian family. They know I am atheist. They don't believe me - say it's a "phrase". I don't care. Eventually they may figure it out when I'm older - perhaps they'll show me more respect.

You don't HAVE to tell ANYONE you're an atheist. Do you tell others you're not a unicorn believer? (Which I'm assuming you're not a believer.) Do you tell them you're an a-unicorn-theist? Atheism is a term THEISTS gave to non-believers.

Don't worry so much about it.

Answer 3

I came from an Irish Catholic family that was totally rabid, so I understand exactly how you feel and I know that you are not exaggerating. I remember being your age and being scared to death of what would happen if they found out, I believed that my mother, if she didn't kill me, would at least throw me out of the house. Catholics can get extremely violent, and I have had the pleasure of experiencing that violence first-hand. Nothing brings it out in them like doubting the existence of God.

Normally, I would not say this, but if it comes out, LIE. Deny, deny, deny. Something to the effect that it is just a rumor that some girls spread about you. I would love to tell you to talk to a counsellor about your fears, or tell your parents, but that is not what I did, and if I had it to do over again, I would lie all over again. Nobody can prove that you are an atheist, so lie.

Sorry, that's the best I can do.

Answer 4

I used to be in your same situation. I always kept my atheism a secret, because I thought it would be easier to tell my parents when I was older. But it doesn't get any easier, so do it now. It might seem hard, but it is worth it, trust me. Just keep questioning everything they tell you. Look for information about religion outside of the church and your family. Hang in there, things will get better.

Answer 5

you have the right to your own religion in the first place. they should know that.

if they are great parents then they will understand. and if it really bothers you i wouldnt tell your brother.

religion(unless you belong to a private school) is not acceptable to be discussing in school. your teachers could get in alot of trouble for treating you differently, or telling your parents. maybe, just maybe, your teachers wont tell on you. and if they do, i wouldnt worry about it so much, your parents need to respect you. they would be terrible parents if they didnt. and if they dont, they wont kick you out. they should be respectful of you and your religion because you are being respectful of theirs and going to church still. all my friends are catholics and christians alike and its been hard for them to accept me as an atheist. my ex b/f was christain, he gave me a bible and told me to read it. he mad a mistake because i dumped him the next day. and i never read the bible. be proud of who your are no matter what religion you are or belief you have. my parents are very supportive of my religion, except they are Unitarians(their religion is the respect and study of all religions, look it up in the dictionary if that didnt make sense to you). im 1 year older than you, and ive had the same problem, except not with my family, but with the people around me, my friends and boyfriends who should respect me. luckily ive discovered a few atheist friends. one of them even has the exact same problem as you, except she is jewish. she didnt want to be jewish, and her parents wanted to send her to a jewish private school. she told them she didnt believe in what they believed, and they listened.



i hope that helps a little, i dont know how else to help.

good luck!

Answer 6

The Nazis would have tried to apply Christianity as a cover from a number of their ideology, and some would have adhered to a convenienty twisted and unbalanced Christian faith, yet there is not any way that Naziism will be referred to as an genuine expression of Christianity. earlier the conflict, the Pope noticeably condemned the upward thrust of severe nationalism in Germany in an encyclical, "Mit brennender Sorge" which, to the fury of the Nazi administration, grow to be examine out in each Catholic church in the rustic. And the genuine body of concepts of the Nazis to Christianity is shown by using the style of believers who they killed in the most concentration camps (eg St. Maximillian Kolbe, St. Edith Stein).

Answer 7

Just do what every other religious person does - lie to yourself and others and tell your parents you really do beleive...

Seriously - if they find out, just deny it - they'll back off in no time. then, when you turn 18, leave and dont look back.

Interesting that your brother wants to be a priest, yet he'd KILL you for being an atheist...

Answer 8

well first of all i doubt that your teachers would mention it to your family as it's not there place to do so anyway when it comes to you parents i know you might not like this peace of advice but honesty is the best policy why should you live a lie and as for your brother i don't think he will actually kill you i would hope not anyway but there you have it

Answer 9

Are you Athiest or Agnostic?
Do you really not have belief in a higher power, or do you just not think Christianity has it right?
Either way, that's your choice, but try to believe in something, even if it's just a life force/energy.
It's rather sad to think that after we die, all that's to look forward to is a maggot buffett.

Answer 10

well if you're brother was at least halfway decent of a wannabe priest, hed still accept u, but possibly try to convert you back.

just tell them.