I would like some advise

[pocaracas]

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This is what I want help with.

I am curious as to if I should flat out tell my oldest (13) I do not believe in god or do I let him arrive to that conclusion on his own?   I would still encourage him to make his own mind up.

   Here are some of my thoughts on the matter:
      In my opinion I suffered no ill effects from a very similar upbringing.
      I do think that my opinion will carry a heavy weight with him, keeping my true thoughts from him is very much against my nature, but this is about him not me.
      The family dynamic may suffer some short term friction. (Keep in mind that our lives do not rotate around the catholic church, our children's well being is our main concern) 

Thanks for any and all reply's. I tend to write forum posts as a stream of consciousness so forgive grammatical errors.

HM

Like you, my wife is a Catholic, going to church every Sunday and whatnot.
The kids are attending the corresponding religious classes, as their mom likes it.
They've known since they were young... Very young... around 5... That I don't believe any of that stuff.
I don't know if they believe any of it, but they do seem to go through the motions, mostly to please mom.
From what I can see, they wouldn't care if they didn't go to church on Sunday, nor any of the other religious things the wife makes them do.
Occasionally, the subject comes up... Religion, this one...and others. The old gods and the new.
I voice my opinion and I let them hear what they can. I try to make as much sense as possible while showing how religion makes no sense.
For now, they might have a mental conflict about the subject... Mom says one thing, dad says another.
I think this exposure to different opinions will strengthen their own self-reflection and in time they will think about it for themselves.
It's the best I can do, and far better than what I had when the thought that there was no god first crossed my mind and I thought I was the only person on earth, yes on Earth, that noticed it.
My kids know that it's ok not to believe in any religion. They know that an atheist is not a bad person, nor whatever the heck the religious idiots may want to tell them about us.