Welcome. I empathize with your situation. I too am or was a people pleaser and sometimes have a hard time in life. But I have learned with age that even with your family, you have a right to disregard the delusions that others have around us, and think for yourself. Plus, people might begrudgingly respect others who don't go with the status quo. In the long run, it shouldn't matter.
Personally, I got tired long ago of attending church with friends and well-meaners just to please those who wanted me to be "saved." I got tired of conversations about topics of which the outcome was unclear or bleak and having to zone out while people talked about prayer and god. I'd rather deal with them politely but firmly and honestly instead of having to pretend. I developed more respect for myself.
The atheist activist Hemant Mehta said: "It's not narcissistic to say you're an atheist when everyone around you has no problem wearing their cross necklaces, talking about how they're praying for good luck or baptizing their children, and there's a church on every block."
Frankly, I'm sick of treating the delusional with kid gloves. If, however, you have something to lose, and you think that "coming out" will damage a familial relationship, a Machiavellian approach may suit the situation. I see no problem with doing as the Romans do when in Rome, so to speak, if it means protecting something or getting what you want.
Personally, I got tired long ago of attending church with friends and well-meaners just to please those who wanted me to be "saved." I got tired of conversations about topics of which the outcome was unclear or bleak and having to zone out while people talked about prayer and god. I'd rather deal with them politely but firmly and honestly instead of having to pretend. I developed more respect for myself.
The atheist activist Hemant Mehta said: "It's not narcissistic to say you're an atheist when everyone around you has no problem wearing their cross necklaces, talking about how they're praying for good luck or baptizing their children, and there's a church on every block."
Frankly, I'm sick of treating the delusional with kid gloves. If, however, you have something to lose, and you think that "coming out" will damage a familial relationship, a Machiavellian approach may suit the situation. I see no problem with doing as the Romans do when in Rome, so to speak, if it means protecting something or getting what you want.
