Calling all Atheists?

Question

What happened when you told your family that you are an Atheist? What was their reaction and for those who havent told them yet whats holding you back?

Just like to add i'm an Atheist as well and only my friends know as im not sure how my mum would take it.

Leviathan just like to add that i am a fellow brit and with that i bid you a tally ho and how about we meet of for a cup of Earl grey and what not. Toodle Pip.

Jara-Lee B i'm not quite sure how to rate yours if i put thumbs up then to me it would seem that i supported your relatives views and i dont want to give you a thumbs down so thats mean so i'll just say sorry that your grandparents called you that.

Jara lee B sorry i meant parents.

Answer 1

My mom's an atheist...She said "I know right!"

Answer 2

My mother cried and kept wondering how she had gone wrong. My dad kept saying that that was bullsh*t. I told them because I live in a rural area and many people that I work with etc knew that I was an Atheist. My parents are old and I did not want them to hear it somewhere else. I have not told my sisters. I rarely talk to them anyway. If the subject comes up somehow or if there is a conversation concerning religion that opens up the opportunity for my opinion I will tell them what I think. I never bring it up out of the blue.
When I met my present husband the first thing my parents ask was did he go to church. He is agnostic at best. My parents and I don't talk about the subject. They are old and I don't want them upset.

Answer 3

I cut all ties with my Dad and his new crazy evil Baptist ***** monster wife. Mostly because she's insane though. Three of four kids/step-kids did the same. The other is hanging around for the inheritance and he just fakes the religion bit.

Everyone else is fine with it, as most are agnostic or atheist themselves.

Or at least educated and reasonably informed.

Answer 4

In the part of the world I live in, it's a non event. According to recent statistics, less than 3% of the population goes to church around here.

Answer 5

I'm not Atheist....Agnostic rather. I have not told everyone in my family. Those I did tell, took it very poorly (they are Christians.) One of my relatives has now stopped talking to me.

I only have one family member who is supportive and has said she finds my choice intelligent....she is also the only family member who is not a Christian.

Answer 6

I'm Swedish. People are somewhat uncomfortable when you have a strong opinion about religion, whether for or against. But I have yet to have a negative response.

Answer 7

Nothing. My sister said "Oh" and didn't react other than that. My grandmother frowned and said "I think he's real" and left it at that. Everyone else doesn't care even though they're all Catholic.

See, they've learned something most of you Christians have no concept of. That their religion only applies to them and they need to butt out of everyone elses lives about it.

Answer 8

My family MADE me an atheist. About the time of my birth, my parents left the church. I was never baptized. Today I am thankful for that.

Answer 9

My step-dad is atheist, my mother's Catholic but she accepts my beliefs even though she apparently doesn't understand the logic, having lived with Dad for so long. I can't tell my grandfather or it'd kill him... he's too old and frail to cause him mental suffering... my uncle's confused and most of the rest of my family is gone.

_()_

Answer 10

I suspect from the way you phrase your question that you live in the states. I live in the UK and people don't really have the same problem here - here's its the ignorant religious folks who get to feel uncomfortable. Quite rightly if you ask me.

Answer 11

They fight me on it all the time. They totally disagree and that is fine. That is the difference though. I am cool with them believing the way they want but it is not reciprocated.