There was recently a thread here on a similar situation started by a young Muslim. You may or may not find it useful.

AFO: Shackled by religion

(August 11, 2012 at 10:25 pm)Ellinion Wrote: They are open minded but believe in creationism.choked up.

Open minded and creationist don't go together. Creationists tend to be the least educated and open minded.
The fact that they're creationists, it's probably not going to go down well.
Some atheists that are young like yourself tend to keep it to themselves until they are old enough and completely independent. If you live in your own place and run yourself, you could easily distance yourself from them should things turn hostile.

Right now, I can't say whether you should keep it quite until later or tell them now. It's really up to you.

(August 11, 2012 at 10:08 pm)Minimalist Wrote: Not necessarily. Its an excuse for a family party. Now, if they look like this....



he's got a real problem.

That's Natalie Portman. Of all the crazy Jews you could have used to support your argument, that probably has to be the worst choice.

FYI, she's married to a non-Jew, supports gay rights, and whilst she's religious, she's previously said things which conclude that it really doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you're a good person.

DO. NOT. TELL. THEM.

Wait until you are out of the house. I've seen what happens to people who come out to tell their parents they're atheists. Sometimes they get treated worse than people who come out of the homosexuality closet, I am dead fucking serious. Wait til you are on your own first. And be prepared, too; don't be living somewhere else on your parents' dime and THEN tell them.

If you really want an idea of how they feel, ask them casually in a roundabout way how they feel about atheists first. Then make your decision based on their answer. Use common sense when doing so, too.

(August 12, 2012 at 9:16 am)Tiberius Wrote:

(August 11, 2012 at 10:08 pm)Minimalist Wrote: Not necessarily. Its an excuse for a family party. Now, if they look like this....



he's got a real problem.

That's Natalie Portman. Of all the crazy Jews you could have used to support your argument, that probably has to be the worst choice.

FYI, she's married to a non-Jew, supports gay rights, and whilst she's religious, she's previously said things which conclude that it really doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you're a good person.

The picture was used for illustration, Divi Tiberio. It came up under a search for "hasidics" on Google Images.

I wouldn't know her if I fell over her.

(August 12, 2012 at 9:32 am)Creed of Heresy Wrote: DO. NOT. TELL. THEM.

Only the OP has any idea whether their parents would even react badly or not. Giving them straight up advice to simply not tell their parents, isn't necessarily the best advice here.

I mean, what if their parents would actually be completely fine. You're then saying this person should live in the closet for their entire childhood and teenage years? How's that smart.

(August 12, 2012 at 2:02 pm)Napoléon Wrote:

(August 12, 2012 at 9:32 am)Creed of Heresy Wrote: DO. NOT. TELL. THEM.

Only the OP has any idea whether their parents would even react badly or not. Giving them straight up advice to simply not tell their parents, isn't necessarily the best advice here.

I mean, what if their parents would actually be completely fine. You're then saying this person should live in the closet for their entire childhood and teenage years? How's that smart.

In answering your question, Nap, I think Pascal's Wager will show the way. If the parents are going to be okay with it, you've risked much but gained very little that was necessary. But if the parents go spazzo bonkers, prepare for hell unrelenting.

(August 12, 2012 at 2:17 pm)whateverist Wrote:

(August 12, 2012 at 2:02 pm)Napoléon Wrote: Only the OP has any idea whether their parents would even react badly or not. Giving them straight up advice to simply not tell their parents, isn't necessarily the best advice here.

I mean, what if their parents would actually be completely fine. You're then saying this person should live in the closet for their entire childhood and teenage years? How's that smart.

In answering your question, Nap, I think Pascal's Wager will show the way. If the parents are going to be okay with it, you've risked much but gained very little that was necessary. But if the parents go spazzo bonkers, prepare for hell unrelenting.

I feel my parents are going to be ok with it. Im going to the skatepark today and when i get back i will see about telling them. Thanks for all the help.

Napoleon Wrote:Only the OP has any idea whether their parents would even react badly or not. Giving them straight up advice to simply not tell their parents, isn't necessarily the best advice here.

I mean, what if their parents would actually be completely fine. You're then saying this person should live in the closet for their entire childhood and teenage years? How's that smart.

Yes, only the OP can truly know whether their parents would react badly or not, but this is why CoH's advice is good. It's better to err on the side of caution. When you compare what there is to gain and lose by either telling them or not, the consequences of telling them and getting a bad reaction are not worth, at least in my opinion.

I have told my mom about me being an atheist. She accepted it and so far im not kicked out
Thanks for all of the support you guys. You really helped me and i will be on this forum for quite a while.