Telling my family?

[CloverGrace]

So my whole family (at least my parents and grandparents) are Christian, leaving me the only atheist (that I know of). I'm not sure whether I should tell them. My parents are less religious than my grandparents, so they would probably handle this better. I really don't want to keep going to church, but we're part of that community, I have friends there, we volunteer and I love the fall festival they put on. On the other side, I just don't agree with them anymore. Sorry for the run-on post and thanks for helping me out!

[Alex K]

Hi CloverGrace, nice to have you here!
It really depends on a lot of factors.
Are you economically dependent on them at least for the forseeable future? How much do you suffer from the Christian schtick? How Christian are they, would they likely just mildly disapprove, or disown you? Would it throw your Grandmother into a deep spiritual crisis? Do you have atheist family members and how did it work out for them?

[CloverGrace]

Hi CloverGrace, nice to have you here!
It really depends on a lot of factors.
Are you economically dependent on them at least for the foreseeable future? How much do you suffer from the Christian schtick? How Christian are they, would they likely just mildly disapprove, or disown you? Would it throw your Grandmother into a deep spiritual crisis? Do you have atheist family members and how did it work out for them?

I suppose that unless I get a scholarship, I'll need them fro college money.  They probably wouldn't disown me, hopefully they would accept it. I'm honestly too worried to tell my grandparents. I don't know any other atheists. Thanks for your help though!

[Alex K]

There's no shame in keeping it on the down-low for the time being unless you are severely troubled by something and feel the need to fight back.

[account_inactive]

Probably not worth the trouble.

[Jesster]

I can't tell you how to handle this. That's a personal decision when you are younger because there's possible consequences for coming out at your age. You know your parents better than any of us do. If you don't think they'll handle it well, then there's nothing wrong with playing along until you are older. Otherwise, it's always good to have more out atheists around.

Good luck!

[Aoi Magi]

I'd really suggest waiting till you are able to move out and take care of yourself before telling them. Your parents might not disown you, but they or your grandparents will probably do their best to drag you back and that can be pretty annoying to live with if not downright dangerous. So it's best to wait till you can get out if you need to.

[ScienceAf]

So my whole family (at least my parents and grandparents) are Christian, leaving me the only atheist (that I know of). I'm not sure whether I should tell them. My parents are less religious than my grandparents, so they would probably handle this better. I really don't want to keep going to church, but we're part of that community, I have friends there, we volunteer and I love the fall festival they put on. On the other side, I just don't agree with them anymore. Sorry for the run-on post and thanks for helping me out!

Well after I came out as atheist I was threatened to be disowned but my family is like, really really bad.

But don't fear, I'm also the only atheist in my family.

So far only my mum (and her parents), step dad, and step brothers and friends know.

My family is really big.
On my dads side I only know 400 out of ???(?).

So I can't tell them all.
Even if I did they won't show up to my wedding because this dude...
He married a Chinese christian and his direct bloodline didn't show up. I showed up for the food at the time.

And now onto you...

If your parents can handle it you should tell them instead of keeping secrets which have a mental impact on you later in life.

But if your grandparents ever ask your parents or you why you don't show up to church. Just tell your parents to tell them or you to tell them that "(You) have been very busy lately" or something like that. I simply just "boycotted" my parents and didn't give a fuck about what they thought.

But you seem nice and not someone who'd rebel for your beliefs. But I don't know.
If you truly don't give a fuck but still want to be a part of the community. Then tell anyone who would give a fuck and let them know who you truly are.

And maybe you can spread the word.

[CloverGrace]

Thank you so much for your responses. They really helped me a lot.

[Minimalist]

See if you can find a job that keeps you busy on Sunday mornings.

That gets you out of wasting your time in a church and you can make a few bucks doing it.