Any advice on coming out to my parents?

[I_am_not_mafia]

Before someone goes on about honesty and not living a lie, blah, blah, blah, do you also tell them about your preferred sexual positions?  How often you masturbate, and what you think about when you do so?  Really, one does not need to tell everyone everything about one's life.  It does not make one dishonest to keep some things private.

Yeah but people don't constantly bring up the subject and make assumptions about your sex life. Except of course assuming that everyone is heterosexual. And when people make assumptions you often need to be dishonest if you want to keep things private.

[downbeatplumb]

(Sorry in advance if there is an existing thread about this, I'm new here.)

Hey guys, I just wanted to make a quick thread about the process of revealing atheism to our families. It would help me, and potentially some other members on the thread, to hear some advice about coming out.

I was indoctrinated into the christian faith and was actually a pretty devout follower for quite some time. But, during high school I learned more about evolution, the big bang, quantum mechanics, you name it. My 14 year old brother and I had many discussions when the parents left the house about god and the religion we were raised in. We eventually came to the conclusion that we do not believe there is a god nor was there ever a need for one to explain the mechanics of our universe. However, we are stuck. My mother is very protective, and once she even told me that "all I want is for you to grow up to be a good christian". I think that statement is utterly ridiculous, but that is neither here nor there. My father is quite the intellectual but his catholic upbringing renders him clinging to his childhood faith. As you can see, it going to be hard to break the news to them. However, I do want to tell them eventually. Any advice on how to go about it? I feel like it has the potential to ruin our family's relationship.

Start wearing pink clothes and mincing around the house singing show tunes. After a few weeks gather them round the tell them your coming out..as atheist..maybe they'll be relieved.

[ErGingerbreadMandude]

I didn't really come out and say that i was an atheist.Dropping truth bombs like that can be hazardous xD
I just generally showed little to no interest to take participation in anything church related,eventually people got the point.
Plus you don't have to make such a big deal out of it.

I remember getting lecture from my mummy(granma) and papa(granpa) because of my behaviour.They thought i was possessed by devil or something.
They bought a like a priest or something to make me unpossessed,this homeless looking old dude came and lit up matches and made smoke and shit,i was getting pretty tired of his shit,then he said some dumb shit and threw water at my face,i got pissed and took some water and threw it at his face.My sister started laughing and i just lost it,i was like out of control,god,i actually feel bad for that guy,he just quickly summed up his unpossession techniques and left with his bag.

[Longhorn]

So.....You are an atheist? ._.

Pool....You confuse me

[ErGingerbreadMandude]

So.....You are an atheist? ._.

Pool....You confuse me

Hola

I'm an atheist to theists because theists are too dumb to grasp the idea that both are equally nut(i.e. poolism).
I'm a poolist to atheists because atheists have the potential to grasp the idea that both are equally nut.

Do you like cheetos?

[Brian37]

Yes, grab a kitten, barbecue grill, burn a pentagram into your lawn, invite family over, be sure chainsaw is conspicuous and wear the obigitory hockey mask and kitchen smock.

Outside that, only you know your family. Be polite, tell them you still love them, and give them space to absorb it, don't get into a battle. There will be a reaction. But the best thing is to demonstrate outside words, your actions. They may never accept it, but if they love you, they will get to the point of simply agreeing to disagree. But only you can judge that.

[Jenny A]

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I gather you are more worried about hurting your parents or making life difficult for your brother anything else about coming out?  If so I like the simply distancing yourself idea.

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  However, I would think through in advance how you are going to handle it when your parents ask you about your brother, because that is probably going to happen.

I would advise him to say that they should ask his brother what he believes.  He can say he is not a mind reader, and so if they want to know what his brother his thinking, it would be better to ask him.  I would absolutely not tell my parents what my brother believes in such cases.  Besides, one's brother could change his mind since the last time he said anything, so the information might be out of date anyway.

It is not for him to decide whether or not his brother comes out.  That should be his brother's decision.

I didn't suggest he out his brother.  He said his brother planned on outing himself.  When his brother outs himself, his folks will likely ask questions.  He should be prepared for that.