Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Richard Healy on April 19, 2011 at 6:47pm

Well what do you think will happen to you if you tell your parents?

 

Cos the rule of thumb I would say is if it leads to violence or to any kinds of threats or mistreatment or a general increase in trouble don't do it.  4 years and you'll be 18 and can be much more independant.

However I want to encourage you so on the other hand if you can go to them and say "I don't want to get confirmed." and answer the inevitable "why" with 'I've thought about it a lot and I don't believe in god' and give your reasons for why, and say I'm only 14, I know but I don't want this and I hope you can support my decision because I don't want to do something dishonestly.

Don't worry about the friends of friends.  I don't want you to loose them but at the same time what is more important their feelings or yours?

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Permalink Reply by Michael Black on April 19, 2011 at 7:04pm

Very good advice in the post above. 

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Permalink Reply by Gunnar on May 3, 2011 at 8:04pm

Well, I told my parents I didn't want to do confirmation anymore, and they said I had to. I think they think it's a "I don't want to have to go every wednesday night" kind of thing rather than I don't actually want to be confirmed. I have confirmation again tomorrow, and I'll try saying it again. But my parents still insist that' it's important...

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Permalink Reply by Meddlesome on May 4, 2011 at 3:19pm

Let us know how it goes....

 

M.

 

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Permalink Reply by Gunnar on May 4, 2011 at 6:43pm

I think my dad forgot I had confirmation today (my mom is on a business trip) and he's not as insistent on me going, so I think he'd let me stay.

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Permalink Reply by Meddlesome on May 9, 2011 at 9:17am

Sounds like you dodged a bullet there :)

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Permalink Reply by Gunnar on May 9, 2011 at 6:10pm

Well, I guess I kind of came out today. My mom brought up confirmation, and I said I didn't want to do it anymore. She asked why, and then before I could answer she asked "Do you not really believe this stuff or what?" The whole conversation was awkward, even though I'd been preparing in my mind for it for a long time. She said to do more research, and I said I had already and had read the Bible front to back, and it's hard to believe any of it. Then she pulled the "Well doesn't that make you feel lonely?" and I said not really and it makes me feel the opposite. I was pretty nervous and couldn't really think of anything to say of why I don't believe in god, so I think she doesn't think I'm serious. But the conversation wasn't angry or anything, and my mom didn't seem all that upset. I kind of accidently came out, I guess. Is there anything I should do now, or what?

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Permalink Reply by Meddlesome on May 10, 2011 at 5:43am

 

What to do ? well do the research, keep exploring, and let your parents see that you are actively thinking about their beliefs. They will think that the research is brining you 'closer to god', you will get more evidence to move away....

 

Also if they ask, you could use the logic that as you are uncertain it would be hypocritical to make a public declaration one way or another (assuming you havent said outright that you are an athiest.).

 

The 'confused' teenager is easier for them to explain to their peers than an athiest, so let them take that option for a while. Dont forget that your unbelief is not just about you, it is also about your parents status as good parents who produce good little christian children.

 

M.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Healy on May 10, 2011 at 3:19pm

Well Gunnar, glad it went not bad and okay. 

I think you've done the hard part. So now just concentrate on growing up and developing your critical thinking skills.  This will serve you very well as an adult. And you've already taken a massive step that a great many adults never do.  This is to your considerable esteem and credit.


So yeah as Meddlesome said, continue to broaden your perspectives wherever possible. Learn some history learn some science. Learn about religion itself it's useful to know about it and understand it even if you don't believe it as none of us do.

It would be good to for instance read some of the other texts of other faiths.  Nothing is more confirming of the mythical nature of the divine than to read the foundational texts of other religions and their magical claims that you've probably never been taught. 

If these strike you as being rather fantastic and mythical then it's an even better grounding for you in the false consolations of the faith closest to you.


Basically, knuckle down for the next few years and do well at school - and after that the world can be your oyster and you'll be free to enjoy it, free of delusion.  Now won't that be nice?

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Permalink Reply by Wanda T on April 19, 2011 at 7:03pm

It's a tough call. Have you thought about a soft approach, like instead of jumping right out there with your non-belief you could start by asking your parents some questions about faith, like "do you think there is evidence that god is real?"  Or "You know, science doesn't really agree with what the church (or bible) says on..........  What do you think about science vs. bible?"  Maybe by doing that it will open up an opportunity to discuss some of your doubts. You might find they have some doubts too. You also might find that they are very resistant to talking about it at all, which could indicate that "coming out" to them might not be the way to go.  Just a suggestion.  Remember, they love you, so it shouldn't be too hard to talk to them. Best wishes.

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Permalink Reply by SGA Atheist on April 19, 2011 at 8:16pm

I am almost 27 and I still have not come out as an atheist to most people. Unless I think I can use reason to at least influence someone's mind about theism for their personal benefit, I usually just let people assume I am a Christian or whatever. Of course, if people ask me my beliefs, then they have opened up the conversation to a lot then. I wish it was not this way, but in the Deep South it's a matter of adaptation and survival. Telling my parents that I am an atheist will not influence their beliefs, it will not help them and in fact it will do them unnecessary emotional harm. So on that end, you have to be responsible.

 

But I also believe in being honest. I think you should tell your parents you do not want to go through this ritual (but like the poster before, only if it will not cause you any harm, and if that's the case then you should consider contacting your local child welfare agency if the harm can be serious!). Whether or not you give them the details about your atheism is up to you, perhaps you could just sum it up by saying that you want to give it more time to think about or that you do not feel that you meet the level of commitment required to proceed with the ritual. Or you can just spill your guts and tell them what the poster above said. At any rate, I'd give yourself as much time as possible to think about how to proceed.

 

I'm open with my friends about my atheism. And if a theist friend of mine decides to debate the issue with me, I mercilessly argue the case. I guess that sort of makes me a closeted evangelical atheist. But I see no reason to tell my parents the whole story. They know I don't go to church and perhaps they can read between the lines. And when a well-meaning soul invites me to church, I thank them for the invitation and just explain that I have other obligations around that time. If they press the issue then I allow myself to be a militant disbeliever with them. Oh and if they are some random evangelical I don't know personally, I hit them with reason as  hard as they can be hit with it before they give up and leave.

 

So think of the possible consequences of your actions. Be honest, but be responsible.

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Permalink Reply by George on April 25, 2011 at 6:04am

Strategically I think it would be best to start asking questions, such as "why do you think religion is important", "what do you think of different religions?" or "what do you think of agnosticism or atheism?".

Even though your parents aren't extremely religious, it would be a good idea to use a somewhat stealthy approach rather than just dropping a bomb that might be needlessly upsetting. This will give you feedback as to whether it's a problem for them or not, and whether it's a better idea to postpone telling them.

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