Err....Little Help, Please?

[Taylor]

Well, as some of you who have seen me around the threads may have picked up that I am newly Athiest.
However, I have hit a bit of a rut in the road.
You see, my parents, even though not incredibly Chrisitan, want me to believe in an imaginary God, and are threatining to send me to another school, or place in fact, if I tell them I have become Athiest.
I have tried dropping many hints too them, talking about the reliability of Science, and other Athiest topics. Yet they presistently tell me to believe in God.
How did you guys come out to your parents, and if so what is the best method to use?
Thanks for the help, guys, and tell me if this thread should be in a different area, or if there is a similar thread that I could use.
Once again, thanks!

[Darwinian]

You: "So, you want me to believe in God do you? Even if you have to force that belief on me rather than allowing me to find my own way in life and supporting and understanding my journey? And it doesn't bother you that in the process you will rob me of a happy childhood and screw up my mind which may ultimately culminate in me leaving home and hating and resenting you both, blaming you for everything?

Well, if you're happy with that then go ahead, but don't blame me if it all ends in disaster. At least you'll be able to look back on this and say, this was the worst parenting decision of our lives!"

[Anymouse]

Take up a discussion of UFO's, or ghosts.

I presume they do not believe in either of them without empirical evidence.

[Darwinian]

Take up a discussion of UFO's, or ghosts.

I presume they do not believe in either of them without empirical evidence.

Won't work because they have all the evidence they need. It's called The Bible

[Violet]

Have become as though this is new? How very fascinating.

My recommendation when dealing with parents based solely on my experiences? Lie, and don't for a moment feel guilty or secure enough to speak the truth: it always bites you in the ass.

[Gawdzilla]

Well, as some of you who have seen me around the threads may have picked up that I am newly Athiest.
However, I have hit a bit of a rut in the road.
You see, my parents, even though not incredibly Chrisitan, want me to believe in an imaginary God, and are threatining to send me to another school, or place in fact, if I tell them I have become Athiest.
I have tried dropping many hints too them, talking about the reliability of Science, and other Athiest topics. Yet they presistently tell me to believe in God.
How did you guys come out to your parents, and if so what is the best method to use?
Thanks for the help, guys, and tell me if this thread should be in a different area, or if there is a similar thread that I could use.
Once again, thanks!

Some variation on this maybe? http://atheistforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=26936

[Darth]

If you think for a minute it will cause strife (fighting that will result in you being sent to an indoctrination facility) then I would advise leaving it till you're independant. I think the discomfort you feel at not being able to maturely discuss beliefs and lack of beliefs with your parents (which is their fault not yours) is comparatively little when compared to the discomfort you will feel at being emotionally rejected and being forced to change schools (not to mention the complete waste of time the indoctrination will be, time which could be much better studying or relaxing). It's the lesser of two evils in my opinion.

If they aren't that christian apart from making sure you are, there isn't much point is there? I myself waited till independance was already achieved, and havent told some extended parts of the family (Cause it might break their hearts). To some the concept of hell is very real and the idea that people, let alone loved ones are going there, is unbearable, might be kinder to keep it to yourself in some cases (as with my extended family).

[corndog36]

My mother is a devout christian, and I know it would cause her immeasurable grief to think that one of her children is not going to heaven. So I pretend, for her sake. It's a little white lie that makes her happy, and does me no harm. When dealing with people who are unwilling to be rational, it is sometimes better to go along, to get along, particularly if you have to live under their roof.

[orogenicman]

Have become as though this is new? How very fascinating.

My recommendation when dealing with parents based solely on my experiences? Lie, and don't for a moment feel guilty or secure enough to speak the truth: it always bites you in the ass.

I would agree with this way to go. When you are of age, they can whine all they want, but you are then an adult who can make up his/her own mind. Then, if you feel that they need to know, tell them, and if they don't like it, well, they are just going to have to live with it.

[Cinjin]

Well, as some of you who have seen me around the threads may have picked up that I am newly Athiest.
However, I have hit a bit of a rut in the road.
You see, my parents, even though not incredibly Chrisitan, want me to believe in an imaginary God, and are threatining to send me to another school, or place in fact, if I tell them I have become Athiest.
I have tried dropping many hints too them, talking about the reliability of Science, and other Athiest topics. Yet they presistently tell me to believe in God.

Tell them ... and start enjoying your new-found attention.

Being openly atheistic in a christian high school and church is tantamount to being a rock star.
Classmates and youth group members spend all their spare time attempting to convert you back to the flock, and yet secretly the opposite sex thinks you're a bad-ass. Openly debating your youth group pastor is fantastic and as long as you never curse and remain rational at all times, you'll come out on top.

Meanwhile if you respond with kind, pleasant well-thought responses and continue to point out the hundreds of Biblical contradictions to all of them you may just find what I did. That you will begin to pull a few of those people over to your side.
I'm no longer a true atheist, but I understand it and although it can be difficult at first - there are perks to this lack of religion.