As an Atheist or Agnostic, what problems, if any have you had with your family over religion and beliefs.?

Question

Some of my brothers and sisters are having a hard time relating to me since I announced I am an Atheist. These are the same ones who, over the years have tried unsuccessfully to convert me to Christianity.

Answer 1

As an agnostic who give more credence to the atheist, I have encountered lots of problems. The whole mothers side of my family is Jehovah Witness and every couple of months I get a call from one of them, during which they engage me in some type of philosophical debate in some attempt to convert me. We never can agree. Basically, it comes down to me putting matters of fact ahead of matter of faith and them working under the opposite principle. And not to pull the race card, but as a black man, I find that very few black people adopt a atheist or agnostic point of view, which automatically puts me in the minority, so I have to be twice as logical and philosophically skilled as the competition in order to break even.

Answer 2

I wish I could help you......

My grandfather was a conservative Jew...and my father is non-practising. I did watch the conflicts between them on occassion. They were never very serious. I never saw my grandfather trying to get my father to be more religious. Most of the conflicts centered more on basic things like problems eating at Kosher restaurants. My father having to keep the fridge Kosher when they visited (which he HATED). Things like that.

My parents are both Jewish and both non-practising. I would call my father an out right atheist. My mother is more....Agnostic. Lately she's even discussed beliefs I would call New Agey. I try not to laugh too much...she is my mom..and I do love her.

Anyway.....I probably am in between them. I'd almost call my mother spiritual......but in a very quiet and personal way...while my father is probably leaning on the atheist side of the atheist/agnostic fence. I'm firmly on the agnostic camp. I don't know. I don't even care. Sometimes I feel that things work too well together to be complete coincidence. Most of the time I don't think much about it. Anyway....I have never had any conflicts with my parents over religion.

I think the best thing that you can probably do is listen to them. Say you listened. And be true to yourself. As annoying as it has to be....they do love you...and they are doing it out of goodwill. However misguided.

I would try to avoid the topic when possible. Try not to get wrapped up in heated debate when not possible. I;d always remain respectful of their positions...even when they aren;t respectful towards your's. Family is frequently a pain in the butt...but it is blood. And when the chips are really down...your family is what is going to get you through.

Answer 3

I guess in my case i havent really been met with any opposition, but there has been some level of concern. As a bit of background during much of my high school years i was heading in the exact opposite path....toward the ministry. But throughout parts of lifes journey (through different interactions in college, studying more of the nature of christianity, and possibly to some extent the death of my father) i no longer was heading down that path.

For my mother and brother they are mostly supportive. My sister is still a bit confused because of the seemingly large change between the path i was on to the path i am on now. I would say the important thing between us was for her to understand that though my beliefs changed, the person that i was on a more basic level (the person who was/is shaped by some of those beliefs - amidst other influences) was still the same person.

Though in your case it sounds like the family environment is somewhat confrontational to your choice of beliefs i would say an important thing is for them to realize the bond that you share with them cannot be solely defined by one set of beliefs. Hopefully you will be able to gain support from them as a complete person, and not run into large scale opposition about something that you are not.

Answer 4

I have been fortunate, with no significant problems. My parents were nominally Christian, and I got exposed to church services and bible school, but I took the whole business with a grain of salt since I had discovered by the time I was eight that the bible tales could not be reconciled with science, and since science is obviously right (it works), the bible had to go.

Answer 5

And convert me to Christianity and Atheist and Agnostic and family members, Family Fued with Richard Dawson and Dawson's Creek and up you know what creek with out a paddle. Paddle paddle bubble bubble toil and trouble and the Scottish play you musn't say because actors are superstitous and they can punch really hard when the want too.

Answer 6

My family was pretty apathetic about religion, I believe that I've actaully successfully managed to convert them into atheists, but I don't grill them on their beliefs and they don't have any problems with mine.

Answer 7

I suddenly became an Atheists when I was sixteen my mom tried to force me to go to Church. It only happened once. I haven't been to Church since. BB

Answer 8

None. They should love you and respect that you don't believe the same thing they do. I'm guessing you respect them for being Christian, so they should show you the same respect.