(December 24, 2017 at 6:30 am)Die Atheistin Wrote:(December 24, 2017 at 6:26 am)vulcanlogician Wrote: What kind of reaction do you think you'd get if you flat out told them? I mean, if you did tell them, you'd probably want to be sensitive to their feelings, and put a great deal of thought into what you say. But if you did all that, how do you think they'd respond?
They would be shocked, especially if I told them directly.
I would recommend not telling them, if you think there is a possibility they will freak.
It may put a strain on your relationship with them, or worse.
But if decide to tell them, don't make a big deal out of it. Don't do the stereotypical thing, and say, "Mom, Dad... Sit down, I have something to tell you". That process adds unneeded gravity to the situation.
If they ask, or it comes up in the future, don't use the "atheist" word. There is too much negative baggage connected to it. Just something like, "I do not think I am convinced of that any more".
You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.
