(January 14, 2015 at 4:49 pm)wolfclan96 Wrote: I see what you're saying but it doesnt deal with the root of the problem (for me at least). Its not that I'm hating going through the motions or expressions of a particular faith system...I couldnt care less. Eating bread and other ceremonial and ritualistic activities doesnt really matter in my eyes. One could do that all he wants but that doesnt necessarily mean he takes the beliefs behind it to heart.
What does matter is where his heart truelly is.
What I'm trying to say is that Its not going through the motions that bother me. I could do communion or group prayers and still shrug it off right afterwards...no big deal. What does bother me is the fact that I cant really be open and honest WITH MY OWN FAMILY about what I really believe withoute fear of em making my remaining days of Highschool misurable.
That is what bothers me most...
We claim that this nation was founded with principles such as religious freedom. Sure this is true (for the most part) in the sence of legality but socially this is untrue, at least in my opinion.
If your concerns about being open with your parents are valid, then you should simply accept that reality - just like you accept that the Christian beliefs you were taught aren't true. You can talk with other atheists and ex-Christians on the internet to share your feelings. There is a forum specifically for ex-Cristians that might be informative ( http://www.ex-christian.net/ ). I sympathize with the frustration of hiding your non-belief as if it is shameful when in fact you should be proud of yourself for recognizing reality.
