As an atheist parent myself I let my children believe as they wish,religion or atheism in my view is a personal choice and no one has the right to try to force your choices upon you.My daughters are ages 11 and 14 and they are aware that daddy does not believe in God.They are both sort of following my footsteps but at the same time sometimes their mom takes them to church.They have both openly made it clear that they dont like the church and dont quite believe the biblical accounts of creation.

I dont get into it with them I let them make their own discoveries and decide for themselves.

That's how it should be done.

You seem like a good father.

Cheers Chatpilot. My parents did the same, best thing they ever did for me was let me grow up and make my own choices.

+1
I'm also thankful my parents let me make my own choices.
Parent appreciation day on the Atheist Forums

Seems like a really difficult situation to be in WWLD. Its a shame your parents do not understand your atheism.

I guess the question is whether its possible to debate with them or not? Whether they would be willing to? And how would you need to debate with them? - as well as how could.

As Purple Rabbit suggests, since the burden of proof is on them perhaps its better if you questioned them?

But the problem is wouldn't you need to explain the burden of proof is on them, if they don't already realize that?

And overcoming the problem of their creationism is of course a biggie, (you said your mom is a creationist I assume your father is too..?).

If you can't really debate with them, and you can't even get them to understand your atheism. Then I don't know what to suggest.

Do you think you could talk to them about it in such a way that they could understand you? Is there even a chance? If you could perhaps it would be worth at least going for it?

Or if not. What is the alternative? Staying undercover?

Isn't the choice between being open and not being open? Hmm. Its a difficult one. Tough situation.

But at the very least, you can be proud you're not a creationist! Be proud of your atheism.

Right?

Hope I've said at least something worthwhile.
Evf

I'm very proud of my atheism

But seriously, I feel like I have tried everything

And every time I try to bring it up, they avoid it and say stuff like, "Leah, I don't want to get into this argument right now."

It's especially difficult for me to talk about it with my mother because she gets very emotional, and I hate seeing her like that.

I love them, but sometimes I get the urge to hit them in their ignorant faces...but of course I would never do that

If you really love your parents you should read these true stories to them:

One morning I got up walked into the hall and a voice spoke to me "How would you like to be stabbed in the valley". The valley was the tough end of town. I was a little afraid, but did not change my plans to go there that day. I visited the valley that day, walked up to an aboriginal man and asked him to church. He told me "No I am an atheist". He opened up his shirt and showed me stab marks, all scars. He told me "I was attacked in the valley by a knife weilding mad man, and spent months recovering in hospital". I knew then God had spoken to me in the morning, and had asked me a question "How would I like it". God understood this man, he knew why he was upset. I told him how God had spoke, he latter (some weeks after) came to church and became a Christian.

Secondly. One day I got so sick of a website spamming me I thought about suing them (taking them to court) . I felt really uncomfortable about it, I was unsure what to do. So I prayed about it. I randomly opened my bible, and stuck my finger on a random verse, expecting God to speak to me. My finger rested on the verse "It is wrong for you to take law suits one against another, why not rather allow your self to be defrauded". The verse was clear, so was Gods voice through the bible, no law suit.

There are other examples that I can share that is just a sample. I want to be honest with you, you can either keep rubbling your parents up the wrong way, or you can read them this post and tell them you are sorry for your unbelief.

(January 11, 2009 at 7:08 am)FutureAndAHope Wrote: There are other examples that I can share that is just a sample. I want to be honest with you, you can either keep rubbling your parents up the wrong way, or you can read them this post and tell them you are sorry for your unbelief.

Or you can do the rational thing and explain why you don't believe in silly anecdotal unverifyable nonsene.

I gotta be open right now, FutureAndHope, SHUT UP.

She has no reaon to be sorry, she made her own damned choice, and her parents, like you are not perfect beings of the world just because they beleive different. How about support, real advice instead of saying crap like that.

I think this is the first time I've told someone to straight shut up in a long time but, seriously it's this attitude that makes people not like you. I didn't even have anything against you personally until just now, thought you were deluded but, not a total tool.

(January 11, 2009 at 7:08 am)FutureAndAHope Wrote: If you really love your parents you should read these true stories to them:

One morning I got up walked into the hall and a voice spoke to me "How would you like to be stabbed in the valley". The valley was the tough end of town. I was a little afraid, but did not change my plans to go there that day. I visited the valley that day, walked up to an aboriginal man and asked him to church. He told me "No I am an atheist". He opened up his shirt and showed me stab marks, all scars. He told me "I was attacked in the valley by a knife weilding mad man, and spent months recovering in hospital". I knew then God had spoken to me in the morning, and had asked me a question "How would I like it". God understood this man, he knew why he was upset. I told him how God had spoke, he latter (some weeks after) came to church and became a Christian.

Secondly. One day I got so sick of a website spamming me I thought about suing them (taking them to court) . I felt really uncomfortable about it, I was unsure what to do. So I prayed about it. I randomly opened my bible, and stuck my finger on a random verse, expecting God to speak to me. My finger rested on the verse "It is wrong for you to take law suits one against another, why not rather allow your self to be defrauded". The verse was clear, so was Gods voice through the bible, no law suit.

There are other examples that I can share that is just a sample. I want to be honest with you, you can either keep rubbling your parents up the wrong way, or you can read them this post and tell them you are sorry for your unbelief.

Your post shows an incredible lack of maturity, integrity, intelligence, understanding, compassion, empathy, morals and rational thinking.

It's fundamentalists like you that give all the decent and sensible people of faith out there a bad name.

The decent thing to do now is to apologise for your crass post. However, I'd be surprised if you actually understood what it is that you have done wrong.