i'm athiest but I don't know if I should tell my religious parents, or just keep it to myself?? Has anybody been in this situation?
2007-04-06 15:11:02 · 18 answers · asked by mb*** 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My parents handled my atheism worse than my coming out as gay...
But we're still on speaking terms, although it took a while for a mutual respect to form...
They took it pretty hard at first, but now... well, now we have lively discussions and a better friendship for it...
2007-04-06 15:15:20 · answer #1 · answered by jtim24 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Good question. I'm Christian and would be pleased if my kid would tell me honestly where he was at, whether Buddhist, Atheist, or whatever, not so I could convert him back but so that we could be real with each other.
To me truth is always better than pretense, even if it hurts.
But you know your parents. If they're the type to just shut down and not respect your beliefs, that's hard. Sometimes a letter outlining respectfully the elements that have led you that direction might be helpful in paving the way, but let them know you may not be interested in discussing the individual points with them.
On another front, I rarely find anyone who is absolutely 100% sure of anything. If they are, in matters of faith, they're mostly not understanding the complexity of the world. Sometimes I'm like 60/40 Christian/Atheist. New information brings something else to assimilate. So for now, you could state, as far as you've understood things, that's where you're at.
2007-04-06 15:31:05 · answer #2 · answered by waldguy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It wasn't an issue for me since my dad is agnostic but I understand how hard it can be for others. If you still live with your parents, depend on them financially, and think they will react very negatively I would wait until you're older and on your own. If you're afraid of telling them you're an atheist why not start them off easy by saying you're confused and don't think you believe in their God anymore? The word "atheist" can sound really ugly to some religious people because there are so many misconceptions about what an atheist really is. Good luck!
2007-04-06 15:26:26 · answer #3 · answered by HighOnFireSlays 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're over 18, just tell them the truth. It's always best. When I announced my apostasy to my parents, they weren't happy (I was raised Catholic), but they got used to it. Of course, I was 22 at the time, and already out on my own and working, so there wasn't much they could do about it. You might want to wait until you're on your own and away from their influence. That is not to say you should be a hypocrite, but sometimes not saying anything is safer. It's called "discretion."
2007-04-06 15:20:50 · answer #4 · answered by link955 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on your parents, and I don't know them, so I'm afraid I can't tell you what to do. I was just very matter-of-fact when I told my parents, and they weren't really upset about it. They're the types that just believe that God judges you based on your behavior, so it doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you're a good person.
2007-04-06 15:41:11 · answer #5 · answered by Jess H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how you think your parents will react? If you are a child and are relying on them for support, then i wouldn't tell them if you think it will cause a rift between you that can not be repaired.
If you are an adult, then you should be upfront and honest with them.
2007-04-06 18:08:31 · answer #6 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, of course. I told my mom, but I told her after I was over 18 and living on my own. I'm sure if I had told her prior to 18, she'd have forced me to go to church. She didn't like it, but she lives with it.
2007-04-06 15:16:24 · answer #7 · answered by glitterkittyy 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
yeah I have- if you want to know how it affected me you can read my blog on 360 it's a few back- the one where I say something about someone requesting a blog- pay no attention to the B.O.B. one
2007-04-06 15:19:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First you should look up the validity of the Bible. I think you'd be surprised at your results.
2007-04-06 15:25:10 · answer #9 · answered by bballsistaKT 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell them. truly loving parents will accept you for who you are, and if they dont, then to hell with them.
as for me, my parents have always been non-religious agnostic types, so i didnt have to deal with that kinda stuff, thankfully.
2007-04-06 15:16:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋