An atheist... ?

Question

I am an atheist and have known it for a while.
I am not sure how my family will take it.
Everyone in my family is religious including my parents.
My mother is southern baptist and my father is Catholic.
I try not to blurt it out very often because people believe atheists are bad people.
I would like to call myself a decent person.
I am open minded
I help others
I voulnteer when voulnteers are needed.
My grandmother I think would die if I told her I was atheist.
I would probably be disowned from my entire family, everyone I know and love and not just that but the majority of my friends are catholic or mormon.
I don't know if I should tell them or if I should keep it a secret.
What do you think I should do?
Is there an easier way of telling them...
I don't know.
Any help would be appreciated.

I do not believe in god because I have seen both sides of the spectrum. I went to church for 13 years. I did not believe anything I was told. I thought it was all just like some fairytale they were telling me to give me hope. There is evidence to say there is no god, but if there is no god then why do people believe there is. I have no answers. I can not prove that god doesn't exsist. I simply do not believe he is real. It is all just logical processing. I find that the evidence is greater in favour that there never was and or is a god.

Answer 1

If your friends and family really love you, they will accept your being an atheist.

Perhaps it's best to let them know gradually. Tell them you are having doubts, and gradually tell them that your doubts have grown stronger, then that you want to stop going to church (if you do so), then that you've become agnostic, then atheist. Perhaps if it's a gradual process rather than a single "coming out" event, they'll accept it more easily.

Answer 2

A lot of these people want you to do research on something that if you wanted to research you would have already. All I can say is start with your friends. Maybe the ones that are not holding strong to their religion as it is. It is hard to tell your family about your religious views since that is one of the big issues these days. All I have to say honey is stay strong and don't cave in to them. If you believe it stand up for it, but I'm sure I don't need to tell you that.
Just ease into it don't go blurt it out right this second.
Good luck!!

Answer 3

If you are willing to pretend, then the smartest thing to do is not tell them. However, if you can't stand living a lie, then tell them you've become a Satanist. Let them wail and gnash their teeth for a week or so, and then tell them you realize how silly that was, and that you simply no longer believe in god.

They'll be so happy you're not a Satanist they'll accept your disbelief.

Another alternative is to simply admit 'doubt' Start calling yourself an agnostic instead of an atheist. The result is the same (no more expectations of going to church etc.), but without the confrontation.

Answer 4

Go study the Torah with a Rabbi and see how you feel.
I am not saying be a Jew I am just saying learn it. Mind you the OT is nearly what the Torah is so at least you would understand the foundation of Christianity from a founder so to speak. If you will is not up for this I would suggest not to lie to anyone but don't feel the need to hang a banner and big a parade about it. You know what is coming from them anyway.

Answer 5

I am in the same boat. I also live in Texas, where atheists are considered the devil's spawn. Why do you need to use the word atheist? Atheist is the kind of word that causes people to go into apoplectic shock. Just explain you do not believe in the supernatural. Think about a way to explain it without using the A word. I like the use of the word "Bright", though some people might see it was being arrogant. You might look at this web site about Brights. http://the-brights.net/vision/faq.html

Answer 6

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to tell them.

One thing that might help is to be aware of the various myths spread about atheists and to make sure that the people you're telling are aware that those myths don't apply to you.

For example, some people believe that all atheists are immoral. Based on what you've said, you don't seem like an immoral person.

I think it's also valuable to explain to people that you're not "rejecting" God because you hate him. You simply have not felt his presence, and do not believe that God exists. (I'm not sure what your specific reasons are, but it might help to explain those to other people, too).

Good luck.

Answer 7

It's a tough situation. It's hard to weigh the necessity of being open and forthright about your views against the judgments you will receive from the ones you love. I personally keep it to myself unless the subject is broached in a way in which I feel it necessary to speak up. That rarely happens. Hopefully your family will be surprisingly open about it. You must decide for yourself what to do.

Answer 8

Its a tough one Dorky.

I am in a similar situation, at first, I felt like I had to be heard and wanted to let them all know.

Now I am happy to just let them believe what they want to believe in. I don't go out of my way to let them know I am an Atheist, because it would cause them fear and pain and stress, and I love them too much for that.

It gets frustrating sometimes, but its better off for them to go on believing I may have some faith left in me. In the end, I look at my ability to keep my mouth shut as an act of love towards my family.

Answer 9

It's unfortunate that the religion of some people makes them so unaccepting of others...even their own family.
Your concern is understandable, and one that we hear about on here all the time.
Maybe it would help if you picked the person you think would be most supportive of you and told him or her first, and then (with support) move on to other family members?
Anyway, good luck.

Answer 10

Let me get this directly,you are asking questions of atheists and complaining once we reply? Would it slow no longer be bigger spent complaining approximately the devout no longer answering while you ask questions of them? Religion is backwards. I believe eighteen is your lot kind of