Religious families

[The Grand Nudger]

Maybe it hurts his ears UD? Or his head, or his sense of pride in his family. Or maybe it makes him feel like an outsider among his closest relatives. Maybe, just like he mentioned in the op, it;s difficult to have a conversation with his father (which he clearly wishes he could do).

[Minimalist]

To be honest, and I'm sure this sounds heartless, but I've been much better off without them and I don't really miss them.

No matter what they say their reaction to any announcement you make will be about them and not you. They will think they failed. The very idea of a preacher having an atheist son will be a huge embarrassment to your father.

There is not a damn thing you can do about any of this so continue to live on another continent and don't feel guilty. They would be far more concerned about their perception of their social standing in the community of fucktards they live in than they would about you.

[KichigaiNeko]

What age are you picto??

Does it really matter what your family believe?? Or are you self sufficient enough to live without them??

I am but the humble age of 21. My parents live on another continent and for the most part I never speak to them. My parents are suspicious, but not completely aware of my beliefs, and thus far I've been too afraid to lure them out of there ignorant bliss as I'm sure that doing so will permanently ruin the already broken relationship we have. To be honest, and I'm sure this sounds heartless, but I've been much better off without them and I don't really miss them. I guess I just feel guilty. Whilst they may have shoved religion down my gullet as a child, they were never anything but kind and I feel like I owe them a chance, but I simply can't speak to them without becoming suddenly overwhelmed with frustration at their ignorance and there inability to see things any other way.

Which Continent??

To be honest it would probably be better to leave them in their ignorance [sarcasm]than burden them with the shame of "Having an Atheist for a son" What WILL the neighbours say?? [/sarcasm]

Take a seat and relax here mate

[kılıç_mehmet]

My parents live on another continent and for the most part I never speak to them.

And the reason for your isolation is due to your religious beliefts?
Do your parents support you with funds?

they were never anything but kind and I feel like I owe them a chance, but I simply can't speak to them without becoming suddenly overwhelmed with frustration at their ignorance and there inability to see things any other way.

You owe them more than a chance. You owe them your life.
So what exactly is the problem? Is it too much to bear when you just sit and watch TV when they are talking religion? Or is it so annoying to hear them "God bless you, son" on the telephone, as not to sever connections?
I don't know the whole story, but from what I extracted from your posts, I think that you're not a good person. And you're not even a teenager anymore, sheesh..

---

Forgive me for my honesty, but I've never met people who complained so much about their parents IRL or OL as in various atheist forums, or in the Friends cult of Vampirefreaks(who complained about how their parents don't understand when they want to get a nipple piercing or penis tattoo). Is it too hard to accept people the way they are, and just act in a way to please them to create at least some sort of balance and harmony? If your parents want you to go to church, oblige them for a few times. What exactly do you have to lose?
IF your parents want to talk about religion, just tell them you have to go to the bathroom, and stay there for few minutes, go brew up a coffee and etc.
They're your parents, not your roomies, you can't simply leave the house, or exchange them for others.
The family is the core structure of society. I think that it's time that people start to value it, instead of throwing it around.

[Aardverk]

You have my sympathy but if people are constantly preaching at you and they are not prepared to engage in calm debate, separation is the only way to get any peace of mind. Just because they are your family, that does not give them a right to control you or silence you. You have an exactly equal right to your beliefs.

My sister sadly lost a baby and changed overnight from atheist to devout Christian. I tolerated her constant preaching for many years but challenged her when she started supporting the Nigerian Christian 'witch' hunts. From then on she started lying to her teenage children about me, falsely blackening my name to deter them from ever speaking to me. She will no longer talk to me and all attempts at getting her to communicate rationally either directly or through a mediator have failed.

After three years I gave up worrying about it, I had run out of ideas. The result of that is that I am far happier - and I hope you are too. 'Respect your father and your mother' is good biblical advice but they have to respect you too. If they don't, why would you want to go there?

[frankiej]

I hear that multiple homicide is good in these situations.

[picto90]

Why do you mind them talking about their faith while you are around? Just wondering.

I wouldn't mind, but as I said, they don't really know where my beliefs lie, and such I find that I have to just bite tongue and keep quiet. I wouldn't get so frustrated if I were able to argue my point.

[The Grand Nudger]

Is it too hard to accept people the way they are, and just act in a way to please them to create at least some sort of balance and harmony?

Exactly............ Maybe you should ask his parents this question?

[picto90]

My parents live on another continent and for the most part I never speak to them.

And the reason for your isolation is due to your religious beliefts?
Do your parents support you with funds?

they were never anything but kind and I feel like I owe them a chance, but I simply can't speak to them without becoming suddenly overwhelmed with frustration at their ignorance and there inability to see things any other way.

You owe them more than a chance. You owe them your life.
So what exactly is the problem? Is it too much to bear when you just sit and watch TV when they are talking religion? Or is it so annoying to hear them "God bless you, son" on the telephone, as not to sever connections?
I don't know the whole story, but from what I extracted from your posts, I think that you're not a good person. And you're not even a teenager anymore, sheesh..

---

Forgive me for my honesty, but I've never met people who complained so much about their parents IRL or OL as in various atheist forums, or in the Friends cult of Vampirefreaks(who complained about how their parents don't understand when they want to get a nipple piercing or penis tattoo). Is it too hard to accept people the way they are, and just act in a way to please them to create at least some sort of balance and harmony? If your parents want you to go to church, oblige them for a few times. What exactly do you have to lose?
IF your parents want to talk about religion, just tell them you have to go to the bathroom, and stay there for few minutes, go brew up a coffee and etc.
They're your parents, not your roomies, you can't simply leave the house, or exchange them for others.
The family is the core structure of society. I think that it's time that people start to value it, instead of throwing it around.

You're absolutely right, I'm not a good person, and I really feel terrible about it. And I'm not complaining about my parents. They were wonderful parents, and when I lived at home I would go to Church with them every week, Bible Study every Wednesday, I played the piano and was forced into the Church Band, which involved a Prayer group on Saturdays, and Band practice on Fridays evenings just after Youth Group. I know they were doing what they thought was right, but I'm sure you can understand how an atheist might become a little frustrated living like that?

I don't live at home any more, and I'm not forced to do these things, but some of the pent up frustration I had to live with for all those years tends to bubble to the surface when I'm talking to my parents. It wouldn't be a problem if I were able to argue my point once in a while, but if my Father, the Pastor of a church, knew that I was an Atheist, he would have no choice but to disown me completely, and then I would feel far more terrible than I do now. I love my parents.

[The Grand Nudger]

Shhh, shh, don't interrupt Mehm when he's knee-deep in one of his idiotic rants. Leaves me less opportunity to antagonize him. Whether or not you had any difficulties with your parents Mehm would have called you a bad person anyway, you're the wrong shade of lipstick, and that's the very definition of evil to him.