How do you deal with superior religious family?

[Dotard]

You may not bring up god, but they will. "Let's all join hands now, bow our heads and give thanks to god."

And if you pander to them by joining hands and bowing your head, you have just been intellectually raped.

I am the lone atheist in my family. A couple family members have confided in me, whilst alone, that they agree with me and find God beliefs incredulous. However they 'play-along' for family/tradition sake. Then I see them 'leading the prayer' and wonder how, even for "tradition" sake they can do this.

When it is "prayer time" at the feasting table and they do the joining hands thing or the bowing of heads, I don't say a word. I just push my chair back a bit, let those on each side of me join hands, I sit up straight, eyes open and let them carry out their rituals.

It only becomes entertaining when there is a new comer to the feast. A new girl/boy friend or buddy joining us. Sometime they spout something with no thought behind it. Once somebody spouted "Just because you don't believe in God doesn't mean you can't join us in prayer." That was good for a "Huh? LOL!".

Usually when a new comer begins or starts in with me the rest of the family gives them the old "Shhhhh! Don't start with him. Save it for later."

Then, of course, when it is later and the children are properly shielded from my evil atheistic contentions, it becomes a 8-18 vs. 1 religious discussion with one or more of them, never fails, wanting to resort to violence (verbally or physically).

Been this way for years. It's become a family tradition.