A) How many atheists here ended up estranged from their family of origin due to their dumping of religion?

Question

B) Atheists: Would you estrange a child if they converted to Islam, Christianity or Paganism?

Answer 1

My family had a fit, and my father disowned me. That's been about 30 years now and we have absolutely no relationship. My stepmother still speaks to me, as does my stepbrother (a minister). Dad won't budge.

I wouldn't ever disown my kids for any reason.

Answer 2

A) Not me. My family is Jewish. They know I no longer consider myself to be such, but I'm far from estranged.

B) I would hope that I would raise my child to be intelligent and a critical thinker. If they came to the conclusion that there was some kind of god(s) from a process like that, I would have no reason to even criticize them. However, if it were for other reasons, I don't know how that would pan out. I seriously doubt it would end up in estrangement, but it would probably create some distance. If it went to the point of them being a fundamentalist though, it could end that way. I don't see how a family could endure with part of it 'knowing' that the other part is hellbound.

Answer 3

A) I have not been estranged from my family.
B) I wouldn't estrange a child for any of those reasons. I would inform them that they were not allowed to try and convert me though.

Answer 4

No one who TRULY loves me, has ever put me down for being and agnostic (not truly atheist) but not a believer either.

I would never estrange ANYONE who can validate their belief. As long as that belief is a peaceful and loving one, and they can explain in their own words why the feel passionate about their belief, otherwise, I would be concerned that they are being brainwashed, and that is the beginning of a cult!

Answer 5

I would hope that any real loviing parent would never do such a thing. GOD expects a dad to lead his family in religious matters. If he cut ties with his son/daughter then he would never be able to do anything more to assist in his religious questioning at any later time. I do not feel that it is our job to judge whether one is forever lost or saved but to assist others in "Finding the Truth and staying the course". I would be glad to study with any person that is interested in doing so at any time I am able. Have a great evening and a wonderful week!
Thank you,
Eds, Christian

EDIT:
I vote for Jennifer and Red Queen. Their answers are probably the best that I have found on this question. Thanks to BOTH of YOU!!
Peace to you both,
Eds

Answer 6

I'm not estranged from my family and I would NEVER estrange a child no matter what faith they decided to believe in.

Answer 7

What about the people who said the Bible god liked to do magic tricks, and liked to do collective punishement, and didn't give a crap how many innocent people suffered and died in the process?

What about people who recognize that the Bible god is nothing? What do you even call them?

As for family estrangement, that can happen just between denominations.

Answer 8

Not me... My family were Atheists: "God is a creation of man."
No.

“All children are atheists -- they have no idea of God.” -- Baron d'Holbach

“We treat religion with a politically correct reverence that we don't accord to any other institution. Even secularists talk about Jewish, Catholic and Muslim children. There's no such thing. Children aren't born with a particular religious gene. What they are is children of Jewish, Catholic and Muslim parents.” – Richard Dawkins

Answer 9

A) You're assuming that Atheists became that way by dumping religion. We're all born Atheists.
B) No.

Answer 10

A) Not me.
B) Yes. I would be extremely disappointed in them and wonder what I had done to raise such a fool.