i've been an atheist since i was about 18, about 7 years now, and always avoided the thought of ever coming out to my parents and family, although i am very outspoken about my atheism with my friends and one cousin. over the last few months i've really been thinking about "coming out" to my parents and family--perhaps because my wife, son, and i are currently staying with them and they are always pushing religion any opportunity they have since i haven't been to church since i was 18. i am sure they have a feeling, but i've done my best to hide it because i love my family and i know they will be devastated, think they did something wrong, etc etc. i'm also sure they will bring up my piercings and tattoos and say that they have something to do with it, but i think it's actually the opposite--i chose to do these things because i never believed that there was anything wrong with it despite them saying i was going to hell for it.
does anyone have any tips for me? it will most likely not happen soon, and i know there isn't a "one size fits all" approach to this. i'm just wanting to kick ideas around in my head and plan it strategically to minimize the pain for me and for them. i recently listened to the thinking atheist podcast where seth discussed this topic, and i like the way he did it by writing an email to his family stating his reasoning, and he did it because it made it to where he could get his point across without being interrupted. i've also thought about doing a video and uploading it to Facebook or youtube and sending it to them for the same reason. i am open to discuss it with them, but i know that it won't be a mutually respectful conversation. my wife says i should do it in person, but i really don't know if there could be a happy ending if i did.
i don't know that i want to come out to my grandparents though, they are old and i don't want them to worry about me as i know they would.
does anyone have any tips for me? it will most likely not happen soon, and i know there isn't a "one size fits all" approach to this. i'm just wanting to kick ideas around in my head and plan it strategically to minimize the pain for me and for them. i recently listened to the thinking atheist podcast where seth discussed this topic, and i like the way he did it by writing an email to his family stating his reasoning, and he did it because it made it to where he could get his point across without being interrupted. i've also thought about doing a video and uploading it to Facebook or youtube and sending it to them for the same reason. i am open to discuss it with them, but i know that it won't be a mutually respectful conversation. my wife says i should do it in person, but i really don't know if there could be a happy ending if i did.
i don't know that i want to come out to my grandparents though, they are old and i don't want them to worry about me as i know they would.
