1, Don't pretend for them, that won't help. It will just create more mistrust.
2. That said, don't be too LOUD about the fact that you aren't Christian. I mean, don't argue with them every time someone sneezes and they say "God bless you." Be respectful. Don't complain or argue too much. If they want you to come to church... it's probably better if you go. I mean, church is usually less than two hours out of 7 X 24 = 168. So, it's probably less than 1% of your time... which is not a big sacrifice if it promotes peace in the family.
3. Let them know that they've done their duty and that you understand the Bible. And.. it's good for an atheist to understand the Bible. One of the things I was taught growing up is that you seem much more reasonable if you understand what you don't believe.
And, number 4: I don't know of any way you can tell them this, but many teens go through a questioning stage. It's normal and it's good. I think most of the teens I know who are true Christians were atheists or agnostics at some point. I also know kids with atheist parents who have seriously investigated religion in their teens. It is a GOOD thing for teenagers to ask questions, it is a step of the transition into adulthood. So.... it isn't the end of the world that you disagree with them. It's a normal piece of growing up. I'm not saying you have to disagree with them to be an adult, but it bothers me when I meet 20 year olds who have always agreed with their parents. Like... you really haven't questioned it? Are you thinking?
Hopefully, your parents will realize that questioning parents' beliefs is a normal step of entering adulthood and they'll give you (at least some) room to think things through and develop your own opinions.
2. That said, don't be too LOUD about the fact that you aren't Christian. I mean, don't argue with them every time someone sneezes and they say "God bless you." Be respectful. Don't complain or argue too much. If they want you to come to church... it's probably better if you go. I mean, church is usually less than two hours out of 7 X 24 = 168. So, it's probably less than 1% of your time... which is not a big sacrifice if it promotes peace in the family.
3. Let them know that they've done their duty and that you understand the Bible. And.. it's good for an atheist to understand the Bible. One of the things I was taught growing up is that you seem much more reasonable if you understand what you don't believe.
And, number 4: I don't know of any way you can tell them this, but many teens go through a questioning stage. It's normal and it's good. I think most of the teens I know who are true Christians were atheists or agnostics at some point. I also know kids with atheist parents who have seriously investigated religion in their teens. It is a GOOD thing for teenagers to ask questions, it is a step of the transition into adulthood. So.... it isn't the end of the world that you disagree with them. It's a normal piece of growing up. I'm not saying you have to disagree with them to be an adult, but it bothers me when I meet 20 year olds who have always agreed with their parents. Like... you really haven't questioned it? Are you thinking?
Hopefully, your parents will realize that questioning parents' beliefs is a normal step of entering adulthood and they'll give you (at least some) room to think things through and develop your own opinions.
