Holy shiz, my bro is an atheist?!

[Disinter]

Yeah i haven't been here in a while but I'm back....

Anyhow, my little brother is an atheist. That's right, that quiet, intelligent and well-behaved twelve year old that my hardcore christian family dotes over is a heathen. He attends church like a good little boy, does what is asked of him, makes A's, and yet he is the very enemy that our family (and most people here in Georgia, US) despise with an utmost passion.

It was all new to me that not-so-shocking week ago. As I had suspected he was an extremely weak christian or deist (and at most, agnostic), the genuine atheism that he described as his beliefs - lack of belief, excuse me - stirred within me some brotherly pride. Logic and common sense (along with a bit of science) was all he needed to debunk the writhing bullshit that plagues our area. I let him know that his big brother is one to, and our already strong relationship may have leveled up a bit. Some of his skepticism was picked up from me I suppose, but most of the work was done by him. Personally, I applaud him

Ever since me telling him I am an atheist as well, he has been venting off a wealth of frustration. Often, he'll remind me of how atheists are considered immoral and untrustworthy. This kid is fucking gold, so you can only imagine how angry he becomes after hearing non-christians insulted by his family and miscellaneous jerkoffs. I try to calm him down, but I detect rage in him still. Misanthropy is not the concern, I'd just like him to stop worrying. Any suggestions on how to connect with him? Such a request may sound odd as he is my brother and not yours, but my ability to comfort others and connect emotionally is something to be lacking....

[chasm]

My emotional connection is lacking, too. I can't understand it unless I'm feeling it.

I would suggest that you let him rant, but make him keep it reasonable. No cursing or any of that good stuff. In my experience, it's better to get things off your chest than to try and bottle them up.

[annatar]

but I detect rage in him still.

Good Good...
Well pass along my genuine congratulations to him on his victory against superstitions, and my welcome to the dark side of force...

[Disinter]

My emotional connection is lacking, too. I can't understand it unless I'm feeling it.

I would suggest that you let him rant, but make him keep it reasonable. No cursing or any of that good stuff. In my experience, it's better to get things off your chest than to try and bottle them up.

I know what you mean, that's what I've been doing here lately. It has helped some, and I typically follow up his rants with an insight on why theists say what they say.

but I detect rage in him still.

Good Good...
Well pass along my genuine congratulations to him on his victory against superstitions, and my welcome to the dark side of force...

Haha, will do.

[Paul the Human]

Good for him! Try to steer him in the direction of rational thought and not let himself get too angry or he may be in danger of 'dogmatic atheism', which is less than constructive. It's great that he became an atheist on his own! That's better than having been deconverted by his big brother.

[Disinter]

Good for him! Try to steer him in the direction of rational thought and not let himself get too angry or he may be in danger of 'dogmatic atheism', which is less than constructive. It's great that he became an atheist on his own! That's better than having been deconverted by his big brother.

Yeah I know, I'm proud of him. I let him make the choice, and he chooses the logical one.

[The Omnissiunt One]

My younger (14 year old) brother's an atheist too. Initially, I suspect his atheism was partly inspired by a fierce hatred of going to church, but it's also a very rational position, and he's debated some theists at school (with little result, unsurprisingly).

[Minimalist]

That's right, that quiet, intelligent and well-behaved twelve year old

He's got all the characteristics....


As opposed to.....

[yuriythebest]

wow epic! feed him literature like "religion explained" which explains the antropological origins of religion or for something more fun the god dillusion

[chatpilot]

Out fucking standing! I wish I had at least one relative in my family that was openly atheist, but unfortunately to my knowledge I am the only atheist in my entire known family. I don't sweat it but let's just say that intellectual stimulation in my family is as scarce as water in the desert. Congratulations to your brother for waking up early and not falling into the traps of superstition, that is hard to shake once it gets a hold of you.