How do I tell my parents?

[StephenB]

Hello, friends!
I was wondering how should I tell my parents and the other people I love that I am atheist? I grew up in a Christian-based house, so it might be difficult to break the news.

Thanks in advance.

-Stephen Bryant

[J a c k]

How old are you, do you depend on them financially, what part of the world are you in?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Do you need to tell them? My parents never knew and I'm 66 now.

[Crunchy]

Hello, friends!
I was wondering how should I tell my parents and the other people I love that I am atheist? I grew up in a Christian-based house, so it might be difficult to break the news.

Thanks in advance.

-Stephen Bryant

That totally depends on your specific circumstance. There's no one correct way to go about this.

Tell us some more about yourself in a general way and there will probably be someone who had a similar experience who can give advice.

[The Valkyrie]

Hello, friends!
I was wondering how should I tell my parents and the other people I love that I am atheist? I grew up in a Christian-based house, so it might be difficult to break the news.

Thanks in advance.

-Stephen Bryant

That totally depends on your specific circumstance. There's no one correct way to go about this.

Tell us some more about yourself in a general way and there will probably be someone who had a similar experience who can give advice.

This.  Far too many variables to give generic advice.

If in doubt, though, go with, "Mum, Dad, I have to tell you that I'm a serial killer and I'm sexually attracted to small furry animals.  Nah, just kidding, I'm an atheist.  See, it could be worse!"

[Whateverist]

Please tell us more. Nice that you want to be known as yourself by your parents. Hope your confidence in them is well founded. Make a careful assessment before you pull the trigger.

[vorlon13]

LOL, I came out as gay to my family in the 70s, never addressed atheism, I've paid my dues for that sort of thing.

[Whateverist]

LOL, I came out as gay to my family in the 70s, never addressed atheism, I've paid my dues for that sort of thing.

Did you inherit you parent's farm?  If so, I'd say they got over it.

[Minimalist]

I grew up in a Christian-based house, so it might be difficult to break the news.

If you are under 18 or otherwise financially dependent on them you probably shouldn't say anything.

One advantage you have is that adults attribute everything a teenager says as "going through a phase." 

If you are old enough for a part-time job find one that makes you work on sundays so you don't have to waste your time listening to some lame-assed preacher babbling on about bullshit.  Plus, you can make a few bucks but the main thing is to have other things to do instead of their churchie bullshit.

[vorlon13]

That's a complicated question.

Farm is currently supporting 6, it's been as high as 10 not that long ago. I'm in charge, nominally, but can be (and have been) overridden on occasion. I probably feel more bound by grandpa's 'terms and conditions' than most of the rest. I'd also entertain entreaties from descendants of one non-related prior owner, should they ever appear, and there's a former hired man's 2 surviving adult children I'd feel obligated to at least provide lodging if they should fall on hard times and turn up on the doorstep.

If any portion of the place should ever need to be sold off, I'd definitely offer all surviving descendants of our grandfather an opportunity to match any offer that might be made on it.