Thread: Have you told your parents you're an atheist?

It's the opisite situation for me.
My mother is the athiest, I'm the one with the open mind. I'm not saying I don't believe in any religion or god(s), I'm just saying I'm more leaning towards science then anything else. When I told mum that I do beleive there is a possibility of something other than science, she spilt her glass of water all over her bed and cracked up laughing, but she soon realized I was serious when I didn't laugh back. xD

I told my parents that I was an atheist fairly bluntly. It hurt them more than anything else I could have done, (reasonably speaking. I'm talking traditional things I could have done. Not blown up a gas station.) They didn't try and force me to change or make ultimatums. My parents are very religous but haven't sheltered me/kept me from forming my own beliefs. I've had multiple discussions with them about it. Which I really respect, especially when it is hard for them to do so. That was probably the breaking point on why they sent me away from Alaska, where we had moved. (To be fair, there were a number of good and unrelated reasons.)

I changed my mind later, as I believe in God now, though I do look at religous things with greater scrutiny.

Why do guys care so much about telling your parents or anyone that your a god damn atheist?!

Probably because it's rebellious and edgy.

Originally Posted by Lucidness

Why do guys care so much about telling your parents or anyone that your a god damn atheist?!

Because if someone cares about their parents, and their parent's emotions could potentially be very involved, most people will take that into consideration.

Originally Posted by Grod

Probably because it's rebellious and edgy.

Wrong, so we don't have to get dragged to church (not that it happens that much anyway in my family, maybe once every few months at best).

Originally Posted by Loaf

Wrong, so we don't have to get dragged to church (not that it happens that much anyway in my family, maybe once every few months at best).

Or losing the trust of your parents.

Originally Posted by DigDagDug

Being athiest is just as ignorant as being a traditional catholic. saying there is no god requires just as much faith as saying there is one. If anything I am an agnostic.

Agnostics can be theists or atheists. You can be a strong or weak atheist; when most people say agnostic they really mean weak atheist

As far as why would you tell your parents, I like having an open relationship with my parents and being able to discuss issues with them. I don't want to have to hide my beliefs or be forced to lie about religion.

Originally Posted by Lucidness

Why do guys care so much about telling your parents or anyone that your a god damn atheist?!

Originally Posted by Grod

Probably because it's rebellious and edgy.

i'm pretty sure not everyone has a sour attitude like you two, why would you waste the time and effort to post crap like this if it doesn't matter to you?
Grod, your attitude here at DV reflects what you said, you act "rebellious and edgy" all the time. maybe someone needs some self reflection....

on a more on-topic note, i had a friend who never told his mother because she would've grounded him the entire time he lived in her house, she was a super-Christian-freak. I mean, she would say things like "You'll most certainly lose your baseball game if you don't ask Jesus for blessings before it" or "If any of my kids turn out to be gay, in the lords name i'll beat you so badly you'll wish the lord would take you now" or "say your prayers, i don't care that we're at McDonald's!!".... and she would drag him to church every Sunday.... so keeping your parents informed can be a good thing.

I actually try to tell people I'm an atheist whenever religion comes up. I want to expose them to a different way of thinking, since some have never even spoken with an atheist or considered their arguments. i don't need to "convert" anyone, but I do want to share my views on religion like I do on politics or science.

Originally Posted by horsey101

I actually try to tell people I'm an atheist whenever religion comes up. I want to expose them to a different way of thinking, since some have never even spoken with an atheist or considered their arguments. i don't need to "convert" anyone, but I do want to share my views on religion like I do on politics or science.

This i'm against. You know by speaking to them there's the possibility of changing their beliefs, and most all atheist would love to convert those around them so that they have like minded people to speak with instead of having to deal with "God this" and "God that"... I believe it's wrong to do so. If they ask then speak up, but don't engage the person, because if they are satisfied in their living as a religious person who's right is it to take that happiness from them? Doesn't matter if you think that happiness is based on lies and is shallow and false, it's not your place to change their mind or beliefs IMO.

Originally Posted by MementoMori

This i'm against. You know by speaking to them there's the possibility of changing their beliefs, and most all atheist would love to convert those around them so that they have like minded people to speak with instead of having to deal with "God this" and "God that"... I believe it's wrong to do so. If they ask then speak up, but don't engage the person, because if they are satisfied in their living as a religious person who's right is it to take that happiness from them? Doesn't matter if you think that happiness is based on lies and is shallow and false, it's not your place to change their mind or beliefs IMO.

I cannot change someone's mind. I can explain why I feel a certain way, and cannot be held responsible if they are persuaded by me. I'm not taking anything away from anyone, I'm just exposing them to another way of thinking. Their beliefs are theirs alone. Your line of reasoning could also be used to justify halting scientific discovery and research since it might contradict someone's beliefs and ruin their "happiness." Ignorance may be bliss, but it is certainly not a goal.

that's why it's a personal moral of mine...

Originally Posted by MementoMori

there's the possibility of changing their beliefs

oh no

Originally Posted by MementoMori

This i'm against. You know by speaking to them there's the possibility of changing their beliefs, and most all atheist would love to convert those around them so that they have like minded people to speak with instead of having to deal with "God this" and "God that"... I believe it's wrong to do so. If they ask then speak up, but don't engage the person, because if they are satisfied in their living as a religious person who's right is it to take that happiness from them? Doesn't matter if you think that happiness is based on lies and is shallow and false, it's not your place to change their mind or beliefs IMO.

This is exactly how I feel. I love you even more now, MM

Its not because we want to convince religious people there is no god, or vice versa. Its because both parties are as arrogant and stubborn as each other. Religious types will constantly refer to their beliefs as the belief that is correct-- in some ways, sometimes mocking atheists. However atheists do often belittle religion, or consider those who believe in God to be naive or stupid. I am generalizing people a lot right now, but its true.

Originally Posted by Loaf

Its not because we want to convince religious people there is no god, or vice versa. Its because both parties are as arrogant and stubborn as each other. Religious types will constantly refer to their beliefs as the belief that is correct-- in some ways, sometimes mocking atheists. However atheists do often belittle religion, or consider those who believe in God to be naive or stupid. I am generalizing people a lot right now, but its true.

Be the change you want to see in the world

Personally, I've stopped caring about what others think of my belief. Why should I care? If you are confident enough in your belief, you shouldn't even have to defend yourself.

I don't want to change the world, its crap and its gonna stay that way.

In that case, keep doing whatever you feel like doing. I support it wholeheartedly, whatever it is.

Murdering children and raping animals?

*This is a complete lie for the purpose of a joke, if you are offended go away.

If that is your personal belief, yes.

Almost everyone in my family knows of my religious stance, but no one really cares. Almost everyone in my immediate family is an atheist as well.

Basically hardly anyone cares in the UK. It's not like people generally hold the belief that we're baby-eating nazis, not like you sometimes get in the US.

Originally Posted by XeL

If that is your personal belief, yes.

Hmm. You disgust me.

I appriciate your honesty.