Athiests, were your parents upset...?

Question

Were your parents or family upset when you told them your beliefs. Were they religious?

Answer 1

Everyone has their own spiritual path to take. And being an atheist does not exclude any kind of beliefs. Theoretically, Buddhists are atheists, since they do not believe in a deity. And that's all Atheism is, the nonbelief in a deity. And my parents also raised me to think for myself, instead of blindly following someone's religious dogma. So of course they weren't disappointed.

Answer 2

My mother has passed away, so I don't think she could get upset...nor do I think she would have been upset at me for being an Atheist. She was a Pagan and very accepting.

My father is upset, very much so. So are the rest of my fundie family. They are always trying to convert me and use the most ridiculous arguments (oddly same ones used on Y!A R&S!).

Answer 3

I don't think they really realize what my beliefs are. Either way, they have always completely supported me in my life decisions. They aren't particularly religious anyway.

The rest of my family still talks about God and I just let them go on with it. They would be fine with it, too. My family understand how important family is. You don't shun them or piss them off with rhetoric just because they have a little different perspective.

Answer 4

Well, I'm an agnostic but it sometimes gives the same reactions where family is concerned as atheism. My father, though being a christian, is not concerned because he always said he raised me to think for myself and make the most suitable choices to fit my life. My mother took it hard at first and kept trying to get me to come back to christianity but she's now accepted it but I think she still holds out hope I will turn around. My conservative, fundamentalist christian brother, after talking to his reverend, feels it is his duty and mission to save me from hellfire I don't even believe exists, hence I do not talk to my brother.

Answer 5

Honestly who cares, Christmas is for the kids, I don't believe in god, but I had christmas when I was a kid, and i plan on giving christmas to my kid. And really there is not much to do with religion when it comes to christmas. To me its a time of year to buy gifts for the people closest to you, spend time with family, and eat a lot. Just because you don't believe in god, does not mean you have to not celebrate christmas. When my son asks me what christmas is really about all I am going to tell him is that its a special time of year, to exchange gifts with the people you love and sit down and have a huge meal together, wether its with friends or family

Answer 6

My mom ****** her head and looked sad. She was dissapointed, but she had a few experinces in life that made her convinced that there was a god, so me saying I felt they're weren't any I guess she felt I was de-valuing was she went through, It really did make me feel bad for a while. Oh and she's spiritual, no way is she religious.

Answer 7

I explained my thoughts on the subject and showed them the reasons in the Bible, etc. They actually stopped me, since if was starting to unravel their beliefs. So they had no problems with it at all.

Answer 8

No. I assume my mother (gone) knew I didn't believe in god. My father is a deist, an he is the only one in my family I talk about religion with.
I'm guessing my brother is either agnostic or atheist (none of my business)
My sister I think still believes (none of my business)

Answer 9

My mother is in denial. She's a devout Catholic and keeps saying "oh... don't worry. You're just going through an adolescent phase right now. You'll find Jesus again to fill that hole in your heart."
My father is just oblivious. They don't understand. I don't think they ever will.

Answer 10

My dad is an athiest, but he supported my interest in Paganism. Not really an answer to your question, but I bet it makes a contrast to how the other parents reacted.