Is anyone else the outcast in their families (meaning that you're the only atheist in your family,read on)??

Question

if so, how do you feel about being the outcast (if thats the way you want to put it)???

hmmm, i am. its now been months since i admitted to my family and that made it clear to them i am atheist... though they have accepted it pretty well, i feel like an outcast. i am the only atheist in my family.

sometimes, i dont want to be the outcast. but i cant lie and say that i do believe (or that i suddenly gained my faith back), i need to be honest to myself. i dont want to put myself through more guilt by pretending.

how is your experience??

im not saying that i discuss this with my family 24/7, its kinda rare that we do, i try to avoid the subject, but somehow, it just pops up eventually and then it bugs me lol.

this is just an honest question that comes up in my mind......i dont make my atheist an "issue" or a big deal with anyone....i never implied that! but i do want to simply discuss it sometimes on Y!A. i hope there's nothing wrong with that.

Answer 1

Same thing...a week ago, my mother told me that she is leaving her jewellery to my brother in her will because, as she put it, "You and your family aren't believers." She finds lots of little ways to show her disapproval. It hurts, but that's just her ignorance and pettiness. It isn't worth pretending to be a believer just to stay in her favour.

Answer 2

I'm not exactly an Atheist. I don't have absolute belief in God. I don't have absolute disbelief in God. Hymn songs are more like mantras.. hypnotising you to thinking you believe by repetition! You can discuss whatever you want on the 360.yahoo if you don't have that why not get a 360.yahoo! I'm outcast because I'm the only one in my family that's a complete vegetarian! Just my sisters and brother are living now! I'm single never married! Not sure what gender to be with! The bible does have some good advise.. Change god to good Change the word jesus to society and the thee's and thou's are we's and you's! I know a few atheists that do that! Oh I'm also the only one in my family that don't smoke! But they seem to be glad that I'm not a smoker!
I believe in Reincarnation. Well it's a subject to put on my blog sometime! myblog: ca.360.yahoo.com/ddherbals

Answer 3

Better to be an outcast and be true to yourself than pretend to believe in false gods. I look at it like this: almost all religions say that they are right and that all other religions are wrong, but how can they all be right and wrong? Best just to leave them to their petty squabbles and wars and enjoy your own life.

I have a friend who's pretty religious, it always feels a little awkward when they have a bunch of their friends round and I know I'm the only one there who doesn't believe in god, they tend to surround themselves with like-minded people most of the time so that they don't have to deal with the issue.

Be proud of following your own beliefs and don't let anyone else put you down because of it! Show them that you can be a good person without believing in god.

Answer 4

My family is ok with it, but my mom doesn't believe me and thinks it's a phase or something. She's probably just scared that I'll go to hell or something. Every time I mention it, I say, "Well, I'm atheistic, so..." then I get interrupted by her and she says "Oh, no you're not, stop it, that's ridiculous." My parents aren't overly religious (they hardly ever go to church) but they still believe in god, so I figure they just want me to go to heaven or whatever. My brother-in-law and I have had arguments about evolution before and have gotten really angry with each other because I see the logic in it and he is so blinded by the faith that he has been indoctrinated with that he can't see the logic. I've stopped talking about it and try to avoid the subject because it frustrates me that a group of such smart people can be so stupid.

Answer 5

Well, I don't think I could really consider myself the outcast of the family, as I believe that label belongs to my sister. She lives in Oklahoma and chooses not to speak to my parents and my parents choose not to speak to her. Of course she'd talk to me if she had the chance, but anyway, she's atheist, and so am I. My parents know about her atheism, but not about mine, and I go on pretending that I'm Christian and it really doesn't bother me. It does get a little awkward at times, but I keep my secret because I'm afraid of what my parents may say, especially my dad. But I guess that maybe something that makes me the outcast is that I believe I'm pretty much the only one in my family that is bisexual. 'Course this is another thing I don't share with my family because they think it's wrong, especially bisexuality.

Answer 6

I'm also the "lone atheist" in my family. I don't feel like an outcast because my family has generally accepted my decision, or at least come to terms with it. My mom is probably the most "concerned" about it, and continues to insist that because I was baptized as an infant, that I can't "revoke" this ritual. I can only smile at this. I still love my family and show them that all the time. I just go about my reading and studying quietly, and don't try to make my skepticism a public issue with them.

Answer 7

I'm in the same situation as you, the only difference is I'm not an Atheist. I have a different believe about God than my family. I believe in reincarnation and I keep it hidden from most of my family. The only person I talk so much about it is to my mom. For me not to have a bad experience, I keep quiet about. But, at one point, I have to tell them and see the outcome of it. Whether they accept it or not, I will not change my beliefs. All you do is stay true to yourself and you will be happy.

Answer 8

I'm the only atheist, but I don't feel like an outcast. We love each other all the same. I'm glad to hear that you don't pretend to be something you are not even if it can be painfull. Good for you.
peace to mankind.

Answer 9

My mom tries to force me to go to church. Then I read Judges 19 21 to her. Its a story of a man giving up his daughter to be raped. NOT the best morals. So yea she leaves me alone now. And I just avoid discussing religion with my family. My reason for being an atheist is simply the lack of evidence for any God. So they'll never convince me and I'll never convince them. Best to not get mad about it.

Answer 10

I'm in the exact opposite situation. I have had an experience and have been changed because of Christ. The rest of my family is hardcore Atheist. I feel your pain. I hope you find Truth.


Peace To You,

Michael