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When I told my parents I was an atheist

The first time I told them I was an atheist, I thought they took it pretty well. Once they saw me on atheists sites, they started to get mad. My can't understand how I'm an atheist. And my dad hates the idea I am one. (Before I became an atheist, I was thinking about becoming a muslim. Isn't that crazy?). My dad teases me a little everytime I bring it, so I don't say anything. Its useless trying to tell them so I hide it. What do you think of this?

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Permalink Reply by Johannes S. on June 15, 2010 at 3:21pm

It is simply weird, but I get where they're coming from. They can not accept your atheism consciously, so they try to ignore it, hoping it will go away. They might not even know what atheism is, what we are or not are. They might have prejudices about atheism.

Sit them down, and explain why you don't believe what they believe.

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Permalink Reply by Michael on June 15, 2010 at 3:24pm

Heck, I don't even bring it up. They know me pretty well, if they have questions, I'll be happy to reply.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel on June 15, 2010 at 4:25pm

You mention the Muslim thing, your parents track your online activity and their disapproval of your choice.

My first thought: Are you an atheist or are you just trying to rebel from your parents?

Don't get me wrong, it is perfectly natural to reach a point in your life where you have to reject your parents to some extent and become your own person but...

The difference in philosophy between Muslim and Atheist is about as large as you can get and yet you were swaying between the two?

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Permalink Reply by The Derch on June 15, 2010 at 4:32pm

I'm not being rebellious. I decided that god was unnesscecary and became an athiest instead.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel on June 15, 2010 at 4:53pm

Necessity in my mind can be separate from an evaluation of truth. I could say that given the rules of the universe life can come into existence without god and still think that a god exists without contradicting myself.

But the point I'm trying to make is that a belief in god or lack thereof has a huge impact on how you view the world. It impacts your social, philosophical, and political outlooks just to start. Most people who are really concerned about this decision seem to weigh the issues and to do so takes time.

Julia Sweeny's monologue "Letting go of God" does a good job of explaining how her views of the world/universe are completely different after making this change.

Give it a listen, it is entertaining, humorous and insightful.

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Permalink Reply by The Derch on June 15, 2010 at 4:54pm

Thanks, I'll look at it.

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Permalink Reply by Prog Rock Girl on June 15, 2010 at 5:18pm

It's kind of like coming out gay: some people will accept it at face value, but start getting weirded out if the person mentions any same-sex attractions or dating, and certainly sex.

What made you think about being Muslim?