I'm an atheist and my parents are Christian. How can I tell them without them taking me out behind the barn and shooting me?
2007-12-15 15:20:58 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm not doing this to rebel. I really don't believe in a god. I'm not an atheist that hates Christian or a satanist (which is for some reason a stereotype).
2007-12-15 15:29:02 · update #1
Don't hate me because I'm an atheist. Just because I don't believe in religion, doesn't mean I hate everyone else's beliefs.
2007-12-15 15:32:06 · update #2
A lot depends on how old you are. A few things that I wish someone would have told me:
1. Don't tell them confrontationally. It's going to be hard enough. When you do it, do it in love.
2. You CAN control the conversation. Say, calmly, "this is a difficult conversation for BOTH of us. If you can't remain calm, we need to wait until you can discuss this without anger.'
3. Remind them that you love them. Parents take rejection of god as rejection of them. You can't say "I love you" too much. Remind them you still have the same morals and all the things they've taught you. The difference is god belief.
Lastly, I would wait until they bring it up. Let them initiate the conversation.
2007-12-15 15:26:53 · answer #1 · answered by Laptop Jesus 3.9 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
My son got lucky, he had parents that believed in his right to believe what he wanted. It wasn't so much that he demanded to be recognized as an atheist as he explained in a calm and lucid manner that he didn't believe any one religion was more right or more wrong than any other. Each religion had their own gospel and they all pretty much said the same thing, be nice to each other. And since no religion seemed to be able to do that, he decided none of them were worth following.
2007-12-15 15:33:26 · answer #2 · answered by Captain Happy Pants 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The next time they bring up God in a conversation, tell them you don't believe in God. They'll probably respond by asking you why you don't believe in God, and you should tell them whatever your reasons are. Then just go from there. It should make for an interesting and enlightening conversation, as long as no one loses their temper. If your parents are sane, they won't shoot you, harm you or otherwise punish you for disagreeing with them. If your parents are insane, maybe you should run away to stay with relatives or friends.
2007-12-15 15:30:05 · answer #3 · answered by Subconsciousless 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Wait until you're 18.
Then if they threaten you, be prepared to move out.
(If you are really serious that they might threaten you. I know this has happened in *some* families.)
However, most parents would simply want to know why, and they would try to persuade you to return. Just be prepared to tell them why, and to have the arguments that may result. It can be very heart-wrenching to have fights like that with your parents. But whatever happens, you can assure them that you love them and that you know they love you (if these are both what you really feel), but that you need to be honest about your religious beliefs or lack thereof.
2007-12-15 15:25:57 · answer #4 · answered by kriosalysia 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Tell them the truth now, save it from comeing out at a time when it would be a worse idea. Just let them know you're getting older and need to find your own place in the world.
2007-12-15 15:28:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Just tell them! say you dont believe if they are Christian the worst they will do is pray for you, If you have accepted Christ at any time in your life he is still and will always be with you. Prediction you will come back(remember this!)
2007-12-15 15:32:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They will not do that. You are over-exaggerating.
This is no way to rebel against your parents or to hurt them because you don't want to follow rules.
If you are 18 years old, then move out and get your own place. If you are still underage, then you will just have to mind your parents until you are of age to do what you want to do. -Good luck.
2007-12-15 15:26:00 · answer #7 · answered by †Evonne† 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hmmm...I've been a Pagan for about 13 years know and have yet to tell my parents. I know it would hurt them, so I just don't bring it up.
If you really think they NEED to know then tell them calmly and without anger...try not to hurt them...
Good luck
2007-12-15 15:31:51 · answer #8 · answered by paganmom 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You might just want to tell them right out, in plain old English.
2007-12-15 15:36:35 · answer #9 · answered by Rapunzel XVIII 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe let them discover? I was in a similar situation but it was more of a cult, eventually I told em it just didn't work for me after they weren't discovering it.
2007-12-15 15:30:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋