How do you get your parents to accept your atheism?

Answer 1

Do they need to know? But keep in mind, it's smart to respect other religions. If you run around bashing their god, I'm sure they won't accept your decision.

If your parents try to convince you otherwise - mine surely did - just hold your ground respectfully. They really can't change where your beliefs lie.

Answer 2

First, realize you have no "control" over your parents acceptance or nonacceptance. I know it's hard for an atheist to truly understand that you don't have control over another human being but you don't. Second If your parents are people of faith, regardless of the tradition that expresses their faith, they are going to know they have raised a fool. It's hard for parents of faith to accept the foolishness of their children.

You don't say how old you are? Do you have the right to your own mind yet? Either way, after the world kicks your *** a little, you may want to reconsider your "atheism". They might just say to you, "Well at least thank God , your not gay or a drug addict." ( Please accept that my tongue is firmly planted in my cheek.)

Answer 3

Why would you need for them to do so? I am agnostic and nonreligious while some of my family members are religious and attend church. My mother took my sisters and me to church/Sunday School as children and was always a church attendee herself. My father, however, was probably agnostic, while his father, who lived with us, most likely was an atheist. Yet, we all lived together without any philosophical debates or animosities toward each other; we simply did not discuss our beliefs or nonbeliefs. Now that we are adults and one of my sisters has grown children, the identical system still prevails. We do not argue about religion or attempt to persuade each other to convert to someone else's faith or nontheism or agnosticism. We each believe or reject as we want, and no one argues with or condemns anyone else.

Answer 4

How do you get your atheistic family to accept that you're religious?

That's my problem. Sorry about yours. I hope you can honestly and nicely tell your parents that you respect their beliefs and that you hope they will respect yours. Try not to get defensive. ;)


Friedrich: They already do. They tell me I'm delusional all the time and that they hope I will be "free" sometime soon.

Answer 5

They didn't care, my mother was slightly disappointed. But I think they only believe as a comforter.

My pa doesn't believe in that stuff, but he has other odd beliefs.

To Gumby: I highly doubt that your atheistic family will care.

Answer 6

I'm Agnostic, raised by my Episcopal parents
to think for myself.

Answer 7

I just told my mother I no longer believed in God.

At first she was very hurt.....but she loves me so it's now a non-issue.

My father is deceased.

Answer 8

You can't make someone accept something.

Answer 9

In my case, I never told them. They slowly figured it out and it wasn't a problem.

Answer 10

No problem. My dads agnostic.