Telling my parents that I'm an atheist- need advice.

[Chad32]

For Christians, the rosary is an important prayer even though it's 15 minutes of saying the exact same thing over and over.

At least for those Christians who haven't read the bible...

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."

Yeah, it's weird that christians will ignore the things Jesus said about prayer. He meant it to be a private thing between you and your god. Go somewhere quiet and do it. Not loudly in front of crowds.

[Thumpalumpacus]

There's no shame in waiting until you're no longer dependent on your family. When you have this discussion, they shouldn't be in a position of being able to punish you severely for not agreeing with their beliefs. Sounds like, especially, you don't know how your father will react.

If you can't contain yourself, have a plan and make preparations in case you're thrown out. Parents who previously seemed genuinely loving have been known to react this way, and if there's even a 10% chance that will happen, you should be prepared for it.

This is excellent advice and should be heeded.

[jughead]

OP, I'd advise head down.

Religious people are nuts. If you were a muslim they would kill you for what you posted here.

[Eel_LahjicK]

I'm in the same boat man, and am brand new on here, so feel free to PM or E-Mail me if you need to talk. I can't come out either because of my father, who like yours, is impossible and never wrong and has nasty temper. My father would ignore his family all day if he could (because god is more important), which he sort of does anyway. He prays every possible catholic prayer he comes across and then adds them to his daily regiment. It's hard to give advice, because you know better than anyone else on here how he is going to react and how the living situation is going to be once you open up. I want to say be as honest as you can to everyone, but as you know it's easier said then done. I would suggest making the slightest questions in a normal conversation with your dad about certain things you don't agree with like slavery in the bible, etc. Throw out the slightest hints, questions, and doubts you have and get his reaction on it, and use your judgment from there. Hope this helps, I empathize with all people in our situation. It sucks!

[SteelCurtain]

My advice in these situations is always the same: wait until you are independent. I am a firm believer that religious people---with all the best intentions---will use whatever tools they have available to try and "save" you. If you take the most powerful tool away from them, (even if they wouldn't have used it) it can only be good for you.

But you have to be realistic. If pretending weighs too much on you (at times it did for me), then you have to weigh that into the equation. One of the best things about being a freethinker/atheist is that you can be realistic. You can weigh every option without fear of offending some sky daddy, with self preservation in mind.

[Zidneya]

I wish I could help you with this man but I don't know what to say. You see my coming out wasn't exactly a good moment in my life. I still remember that when I came out as an atheist to my family they first got angry at me, then it comes the curses and warnings of damnation and finally the denial and act like I ain't an atheist. And every time I mention that or bring that up(because let's face it I am an atheist is very logical that I am gonna say certain atheists comments or disapprove most religious s**t from time to time) they just start telling me that I'm either gonna be punished or that being an atheist makes me a bad person.

[King Dez]

Thanks for all the heads up everyone. It seems like I'm going to keep this a secret until I become independent. I don't think it's worth telling them since I am almost sure that my father will never talk to me again after I tell him that I'm an atheist. Given his temper, you cannot argue with him much. And I can't be arsed to start a religious war against my whole family.

Thanks for all your responses and I hope anyone in a similar situation properly evaluates his options before acting.