Respecting Christian family and friends

[robvalue]

Welcome to the real world my friend

Sorry to hear your mother would most likely take it badly. For some people it's so hard wired that they just can't think any other way. One counter measure if they give you grief is to ask them why they reject islam so easily? And Zeus? And thor? And Venus? Etc. Almost all religious types are atheist to every single God except for one, for the exact same reasons were also atheist to that last one. So we're not as different as they like to think.

The good thing about atheism is there is no dogma, so it's up to the individual if they feel lying is the best thing to do on balance. You shouldn't feel pressured into religious ceremony, that is not right, but if you choose to partake to keep the peace, there is no God of atheism waiting to burn your bum for it.

The only other thing I can think is to get their opinion on atheism in a sneaky way, by asking what they think about "these atheists" or something. Dunno if that's too stupid to work or not. You could start to mildly defend them and see what reaction you get, "I can see there point, it is hard to actually find evidence that God definitely exists".

Best of luck with however you decide to handle it