I'm atheist and my family either doesn't know or isn't supportive. Actually only my sister and some of my friends are supportive. My mom, well, she keeps bring up the bible and asks me to go to church. When I tell her I'm atheist she just agrees but clearly doesn't, says, “God have mercy on your soul", or interrupts me. What do your parents think of your atheism? How do/ did they react?
2007-02-24 04:56:52 · 13 answers · asked by honeyluvsyou2004 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
When my mom was alive she told at 13 to pick my own religion if I didn't want to believe in or follow hers.
I chose none but studied many.
2007-02-24 05:00:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I knew from an early age that there was no god, and I had stopped going to church and things for a while before I admitted it to my parents, so that it wouldn't be too much of a shock. My parents are catholic, and while they are practicing, they aren't overly practicing. They don't go to church every Sunday, just sometimes and on holidays. My dad was completely accepting, my mom had a slightly harder time, but she's ok with it now.
The only time I forsee a problem with her in the future will be if my wife and I decide to have a kid, because it will not be baptised or raised catholic in any way. When it's come up in conversation, I make it clear, and can tell it doesn't make her happy. My sister seems to be headed down a similar path, but my brother is more into the catholic thing than even my parents, so at least she has one kid left that will have catholic kids, but why that's important I don't know.
2007-02-26 12:29:40 · answer #2 · answered by eviltruitt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a weird story about that which I think about a lot. I lied to my mom, once, about my atheism and I felt awful.
Basically we now do a "gays in the military" approach. Don't ask/don't tell. We just don't talk about it. They do know I'm an atheist. They will say things, when I talk about a problem I have, a very nervous "we'll pray for you." and I say "THANKS! It's ok to say you're praying for me mom and dad. I know how you mean it and thank you!"
It's at a good place now. For a while there, dad would try to talk about evolution with me, and I was kind and cheerful and it was friendly, but he didn't have the foggiest idea about science stuff so has since given it up.
I wish you the best. It can be a tricky road to negotiate. You always have us to commiserate with!
2007-02-24 13:04:20 · answer #3 · answered by Laptop Jesus 2.0 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're totally fine with it. My mother grew up in the household of Jehovah's Witnesses, though not strict but it did make her critical of the ceremonies and obscure things that get in the way of living your life. My dad came from a non practicing Protestant household. I wasn't baptised for the reason of it can be chosen later if I decide I wanted it. So religion was basically relegated to school and television, and it didn't take. So rather than an active choice my Atheism was more of just not taking it up and deciding that my present circumstances without a religion made me happy. It only comes up in well meaning argument and debate (my dad in his retirement years seems something of an academic, he loves arguing) and there's no animosity.
2007-02-24 13:05:14 · answer #4 · answered by jleslie4585 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My parents (agnostics/atheists, depending on when you ask), were completely supportive of me when I wanted to be a Catholic as a child. They encouraged me to go to church and set it up so I could go with friends/family members who went, even though my parents hadn't wanted to go to church themselves.
And then, when I became an atheist, they hadn't treated me any differently. I am completely confident that they would be completely accepting of whatever beliefs I choose, and I couldn't thank them more for that. I have always felt they raised me the "right" way, and I aspire to be like them when I become a parent.
2007-02-24 13:05:38 · answer #5 · answered by Stardust 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when my sister became agnostic, only two months before she would have been confirmed, my parents were mildly shocked. my sister had always been kind of a rebel and questioned god a lot, so it didn't really surprise them TOO much. my parents are pretty supportive of her.
2007-02-24 13:02:40 · answer #6 · answered by happyinblue 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was easy for me. They're agnostic and totally non-practising Jews. Jews tend to take this stuff less seriously anyway I've found.
I'd probably just avoid the topic whenever possible.
2007-02-24 13:00:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nearly everyone's an atheist here (England) so it's fine. Religious folks are seen as slightly odd or downright sinister here.
2007-02-24 13:00:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anyone who dosen't like Athiests and isn't an Athiest is a complete idiot. A person who does not think logically, or with any reason or proof. Truly an IN-sane and scary individual
2007-02-24 13:01:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
My parents and in-laws respect our atheism. They are not religious themselves to any degree, so it isn't an issue.
2007-02-24 13:05:53 · answer #10 · answered by CC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋