telling them...

[Lonely_Shadow]

recently I've been wanting to tell my parents that im atheist, but about 10 minutes ago they were discussing how to "efficiently fix" the Muslim religion. My mom, who i don't have the best relationship with, believes that if the Roman Catholic churches went around, door to door of residences of Muslim people and explained how the Roman Catholic "god" is loving and caring while the Muslim "god" is ruthless and evil it would "fix" the problem of hatred. i totally disagree with her, i believe that people who need a "god" in their life should be able to practice their own religion, that doesn't give them the right to go off and kill those who oppose them, like some radical Muslims do, but if other people of other religion go around saying other people's religion is wrong, what better are they from those who use violent methods to spread their religion, besides the fact that there killing people, they all have the same intention, to spread the word that one religion is better than the other.
But that's just what i think, back to what i really want to know is, should i tell my parents I'm atheist, i believe if i do i will drift further from having a better relationship with my mom or my dad. And i truly don't want that.

any suggestions?

[Skeptical Bear]

I'm in the same situation as you. Just sit her down with you. Tell her you understand that she has her religion that she believes in and that so do you. Just tell her you're an Atheist. You're not insulting her in anyway but just stating where you stand in what you believe and she can't change that. I don't know anything else you could tell her but I hope this helped a bit at least.

[Fourth Dimension]

my family knows my religious views and they are all uber bible so they were not happy infact they wanted to try and force me to go to church didnt work but they tried

[Ambrosia]

Honestly, they don't need to know that you are atheist. It's your business and your business only. Unless you feel absolutely obligated to have them know for some reason besides them pressuring you to follow their beliefs, you don't have to. Religious views are personal, like sexuality and so on. It's on a need to know basis.

If you feel they MUST know then you just have to explain to her. Tell her not to freak out about what you're going to say and to try to take it open mindedly. Try to explain WHY you believe what you believe. If she gets into fight mode, drop the subject and walk away.

[Contra]

I'm an atheist too and my parents are catholic, but non-practicing, so they don't really care. Anyway, we didn't talk about my religion views until like 6 months or more after I realized I was an atheist. So, I think you don't really have to share your religious views with your parents, don't take it as an obligation.
If the topic does come up, I think you should just be open with them. They can try and change your views, but if you explain them you don't believe and say that they should accept you the way you are, they will understand. I mean, they are your parents, they should love you, no matter what.

[KodieBear]

same situation here, except im trying to tell them im Agnostic. my parents are, like, UBER christians; my dad is even a preacher at 3 different churches. every time i go to tell them i get scared. my parents are unacceptable of just about everything not christian. for example: if theyre not christian, they arent a true friend. and gays and bisexuals are projections of the devil. (actual words from my parents) they wont even let me hang out with my gay friends. but yea, idk how to tell them either. i think i'll post it on facebook and if they find out, they find out. lol

[Advanced A]

I agree with Lovelikewinter.

They dont need to know, its a personal decision what you believe. There may be some reason its brought up, if it is then you shouldnt lie just to keep them happy, but let her down gently..

With my mum, she knew i had been searching for answers, trying to decide on my own, and after asking around, and finally coming to what i for now consider a conclusion.. which turns out to have been in the back of my mind all along, she asked and i told her.

I think what most people fear with athesim is that after life, there is nothingness(my view on athesim). This would probablly scare the shit outa ur mum, considering she believes in the roman catholic religion, she would be thinking of a heaven and a hell after life and by you declaring that your athiest, you would be on the wrong side of the fence..

[Advanced A]

Edit : double post damnit..

[Lonely_Shadow]

thanks guys, i just want to tell them because they always say god made this this because he wanted to , god made that that way because he wanted to and when they say that about me i want to say well i really don't believe in god just to get it out there and want to give my opinion, if you get what i mean, but i have nothing against people who need faith in their life, but i guess i really don't need to tell them so i guess i wont until i feel its the appropriate time to.

[Ambrosia]

Well them saying "God made this because---" is just an OPINION in the eyes of those who don't believe it. It still gives you no true reason to have to tell them unless you truely want to. Conversations would just end up like this:

"God made the trees to make the world beautiful. Like a reward of beauty to all us---"
"No. The trees were put here as a source of oxy....*later*...And THAT is why your bs God stuff is, well, BS!"

Telling them isn't going to stop them from saying it. Maybe make it worse.

[cheergurl]

wow that has to be really hard. good luck!

[Marky]

My moom and family are christian. they always have the topic of how god gave them a house to live in/ a job to work at and all that bs. I am agnostic and dont belive it you give yourself what you need not soem magical figure. well point being. I dont tell them. I just listen to what they belive in because I am not hurting them or myself if i dont tell them