Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Swoop · 03-01-2003, 02:26 AM

(not sure what board this belongs on so I'll try here)

This applies to particular people only - you're an atheist, and your parents aren't.

If not, why not?

Amen-Moses · 03-01-2003, 05:51 AM

My dad believes the earth is in the centre of the universe and that the sun goes around it! My mother just believes whatever my dad tells her to, very sad.

They know that I am an atheist but they deny that it matters, they reckon I'll go to heaven anyway! :banghead:

Amen-Moses

openeyes · 03-01-2003, 08:31 AM

As I've stated in other threads, I finally told my family (parents and 5 adult siblings) last year as I enter my middle aged years. (I had told 2 siblings previously.)

I think I had enough confidence in myself and in my life to finally say something. Also, I couldn't ethically raise my kids in a religious way if I found that religion seems to hamper, rather than help, making good life decisions. Their lack of "indoctrination" was becoming apparent.

So far, besides a somewhat understanding, but prayerful letter from my mom, everyone has pretty much ignored my announcement.

The Naked Mage · 03-01-2003, 12:31 PM

My parents both know. My mother accepts it with something akin to dignity, while my father...doesn't.

beth · 03-01-2003, 12:45 PM

No. My step-father raised me. I'm most concerned with his feelings. I think he might cry. My mother, well, she's kind of a nut. I'm really concerned with her reaction. I think I'll tell my mom first, though. Because she'll then bad mouth me about it and I won't have the need to tell any of my family, she'll let them all know.

christ-on-a-stick · 03-01-2003, 03:57 PM

My bio mom and dad both know but I've never actually used the "A" word around my grandparents, who raised me - just finding out that I don't believe in Xianity anymore made my grandmother cry which simultaneously saddened and frustrated/angered me... however they are not "preachy" and don't send me godspam or make disparaging remarks so I am more than happy just to avoid the topic for the most part.

Everyone else is fair game though

Hedwig · 03-01-2003, 04:04 PM

My parents know I'm a skeptic when it comes to all religion. I haven't gone so far as to use the "a-word" around them because as much as they don't seem very religious these days (hell, my dad hasn't been in all my life), I don't know what the reaction would be if I flat out said "yup, I'm an atheist." They know I hang out on II...I just don't think they'd like me to use the word "atheist".

My brother knows, though. He's Xtian but he doesn't give a damn what my beliefs are.

EspressoSnail · 03-01-2003, 06:10 PM

Well... I'm more agnostic than atheist, but I once brought up my skeptism to my mom... She seemed okay with it at the time but now she has chosen to forget that I said anything about it...

99Percent · 03-01-2003, 08:11 PM

off to SL+S

Cofffee · 03-01-2003, 08:31 PM

My parents are both fundies. As far as they are concerned, I am seeking... But I'm well past that stage.

I am the type of person that avoids confrontation and they may eventually figure out that I don't believe their bull if we ever have some kind of heated discussion about religion (but that rarely happens as I hate arguing with fundies).

I don't go to church as it's both boring and irritating and they know I feel this way, so they could practically put 2 and 2 together, but they're off in their little fantasy world and I'm waiting for their dream to end before I begin discussing this stuff with them.

A lot of people I know and many of my friends and extended family are believers as well and I'm not about to go making a big deal about it as I don't feel it is the best way for me to approach this issue.

03-01-2003, 02:26 AM	#1
Swoop Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South Africa Posts: 55	Do your parents know you're an atheist? (not sure what board this belongs on so I'll try here) This applies to particular people only - you're an atheist, and your parents aren't. If not, why not?

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03-01-2003, 05:51 AM	#2
Amen-Moses Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Portsmouth, England Posts: 4,652	My dad believes the earth is in the centre of the universe and that the sun goes around it! My mother just believes whatever my dad tells her to, very sad. They know that I am an atheist but they deny that it matters, they reckon I'll go to heaven anyway! :banghead: Amen-Moses

03-01-2003, 08:31 AM	#3
openeyes Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4,215	As I've stated in other threads, I finally told my family (parents and 5 adult siblings) last year as I enter my middle aged years. (I had told 2 siblings previously.) I think I had enough confidence in myself and in my life to finally say something. Also, I couldn't ethically raise my kids in a religious way if I found that religion seems to hamper, rather than help, making good life decisions. Their lack of "indoctrination" was becoming apparent. So far, besides a somewhat understanding, but prayerful letter from my mom, everyone has pretty much ignored my announcement.

03-01-2003, 12:31 PM	#4
The Naked Mage Veteran Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: The Execution State, USA Posts: 5,031	My parents both know. My mother accepts it with something akin to dignity, while my father...doesn't.

03-01-2003, 12:45 PM	#5
beth Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: where orange blossoms bloom... Posts: 1,802	No. My step-father raised me. I'm most concerned with his feelings. I think he might cry. My mother, well, she's kind of a nut. I'm really concerned with her reaction. I think I'll tell my mom first, though. Because she'll then bad mouth me about it and I won't have the need to tell any of my family, she'll let them all know.

03-01-2003, 03:57 PM	#6
christ-on-a-stick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 7,116	My bio mom and dad both know but I've never actually used the "A" word around my grandparents, who raised me - just finding out that I don't believe in Xianity anymore made my grandmother cry which simultaneously saddened and frustrated/angered me... however they are not "preachy" and don't send me godspam or make disparaging remarks so I am more than happy just to avoid the topic for the most part. Everyone else is fair game though

03-01-2003, 04:04 PM	#7
Hedwig Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,921	My parents know I'm a skeptic when it comes to all religion. I haven't gone so far as to use the "a-word" around them because as much as they don't seem very religious these days (hell, my dad hasn't been in all my life), I don't know what the reaction would be if I flat out said "yup, I'm an atheist." They know I hang out on II...I just don't think they'd like me to use the word "atheist". My brother knows, though. He's Xtian but he doesn't give a damn what my beliefs are.

03-01-2003, 06:10 PM	#8
EspressoSnail Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 207	Well... I'm more agnostic than atheist, but I once brought up my skeptism to my mom... She seemed okay with it at the time but now she has chosen to forget that I said anything about it...

03-01-2003, 08:11 PM	#9
99Percent Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: my mind Posts: 5,996	off to SL+S

03-01-2003, 08:31 PM	#10
Cofffee Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pickering, ON, CA Posts: 447	My parents are both fundies. As far as they are concerned, I am seeking... But I'm well past that stage. I am the type of person that avoids confrontation and they may eventually figure out that I don't believe their bull if we ever have some kind of heated discussion about religion (but that rarely happens as I hate arguing with fundies). I don't go to church as it's both boring and irritating and they know I feel this way, so they could practically put 2 and 2 together, but they're off in their little fantasy world and I'm waiting for their dream to end before I begin discussing this stuff with them. A lot of people I know and many of my friends and extended family are believers as well and I'm not about to go making a big deal about it as I don't feel it is the best way for me to approach this issue.

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