What Made you Smile/What Ticked you off Today?

[Forlorn Drifter]

You know, I bet you can't find a religion where honoring your parents isn't important.

I'm just saying, because earlier responses somewhat shed a bad light on it, but its just a case of views. I know of some people who have had some serious fights after admitting they were atheist, or changing religion and such. That stuff can really be hard on some people. I honestly don't know how I would feel as a parent if my child were to do that.

[Retrodude]

When I converted to Wicca in high school, my (Episcopalian) mom was a little weirded out at first, but once she realized I was still the same person and hadn't gone off the deep end, she was cool with it. Just give it some time, they'll come around. And if they don't, then they really are poor parents.

[DinnerX]

I told my parents I was atheist... my mom said knowing I was atheist made her feel like she had to puke or something stupid like that and that she is a terrible mother.

Changing your philosophy of life is bound to cause tension in the family. Even changing between branches of Christianity can result in some rifts. But what else could one expect when family members actually believe someone's life is at stake? Most likely your parents are just concerned about your safety, and possibly feel they've failed you as parents because of your decision against their religion.

[Forlorn Drifter]

Changing your philosophy of life is bound to cause tension in the family. Even changing between branches of Christianity can result in some rifts. But what else could one expect when family members actually believe someone's life is at stake? Most likely your parents are just concerned about your safety, and possibly feel they've failed you as parents because of your decision against their religion.

This is another good point. They believe your eternal soul is at stake. You might not agree, but to them that's probably heart-wrenching. To them, it is worse than saying you're going to start doing meth. Its hard for them to take. Give it time though, they'll more than likely come around.

[o.pwuaioc]

To them, it is worse than saying you're going to start doing meth.

I have zero respect for anyone who actually believes changing religions is worse than doing meth.

[MrPopo]

When I converted to Wicca in high school, my (Episcopalian) mom was a little weirded out at first, but once she realized I was still the same person and hadn't gone off the deep end, she was cool with it. Just give it some time, they'll come around. And if they don't, then they really are poor parents.

The question I have is why is it necessary to tell your parents when you're still dependent on them? Best case scenario they don't care and your life continues on as it did before. So your best case is neutral, and everything else is a negative outcome for you. Once you're on your own feel free to tell them whatever you want that might make them flip out.

[Forlorn Drifter]

To them, it is worse than saying you're going to start doing meth.

I have zero respect for anyone who actually believes changing religions is worse than doing meth.

You have to understand the viewpoint though! Refusing to do so is ignorant. I guess its poor to make that correlation, but you have to understand the thought process. Most who practice Abrahamic religions believe that being a part of the religion is your salvation. Joining another religion is seen as losing your salvation. (Not necessarily to Muslims, they believe anyone who follows Abrahamic religions are saved.) Losing salvation means some form of eternal punishment. This is bad stuff in the opinions of many.

I'm just trying to say that, overall, its understandable his parents are upset.

[cookie monster]

It has been a week and have still not heard from my family or anyone else as to final funeral plans. I got a lecture from donnies aunt ellen about my feelings toward my mother friday it seems i am wrong to feel anger toward her for the many years of daily beatings and mental abuse she heaped on me as well as her attempting to kill me at least 3 times, she told me i should have been raised to honor my mother. This did not set well with me that is tanimount to saying my daddy and granny failed at my upbringing.
I will not respect someone who told me at the age of nine that she hated me and wanted a abortion but daddy wouldn't let her do it so she chose to start doing everything she could to miscarry me.

[AppleQueso]

On the flipside, some religious types have some very warped misconceptions about atheism. Many stereotype atheists as just angry misanthropes. Heck, my mom used to think that atheism = devil worship.

I feel like if an atheist is going to 'come out' to their religious parents though, they generally don't do it with much tact. On the other hand, I'm not sure if there's a gentle way of saying "Sorry mom, but I reject your entire core belief system."

I think I'm ultimately with Mr. Popo here. Every situation is different of course, but on average I'd question the need to actually come out to your parents about something like that, at least before you're out and on your own.

I don't know, it's just a sensitive subject to bring up.

It has been a week and have still not heard from my family or anyone else as to final funeral plans. I got a lecture from donnies aunt ellen about my feelings toward my mother friday it seems i am wrong to feel anger toward her for the many years of daily beatings and mental abuse she heaped on me as well as her attempting to kill me at least 3 times, she told me i should have been raised to honor my mother. This did not set well with me that is tanimount to saying my daddy and granny failed at my upbringing.
I will not respect someone who told me at the age of nine that she hated me and wanted a abortion but daddy wouldn't let her do it so she chose to start doing everything she could to miscarry me.

It's not wrong to be angry at all.

[jinx]

The question I have is why is it necessary to tell your parents when you're still dependent on them? Best case scenario they don't care and your life continues on as it did before. So your best case is neutral, and everything else is a negative outcome for you. Once you're on your own feel free to tell them whatever you want that might make them flip out.

This. Sometimes I think kids just do it to get a reaction out of their parents, but then get pissed when it's not the reaction they wanted. I never mentioned my religion to my grandparents or my dad after I moved in with him. Of course, I wasn't forced to go to church either way, so it's not like I was fighting anything. Even after I moved out, it wasn't much of a concern. Eventually they found out and got pissed, but after a while they got over it.

One weird thing about my dad, is that I always assumed he was atheist. It wasn't until recently that he started going to church and calling me up to push his religion on me. I think it's finally come to the point where he's calmed down a bit. He realized that it's pushing me and my family further away from him the more he tries to do it. I don't want my daughter told that her daddy is going to hell for not believing in God. She can make the decision herself when she's older, but for now I'd like to keep it out of my life completely.

My daughter is starting to "play pretend". Today we were on some sort of quest with Mario. Apparently I had to wear a ridiculous hat and have a Chestburster around my neck to go on this amazing journey (I have pictures). After a while I just became a horse. My knees hurt...

She's starting to have really bad nightmares. She starts screaming in her sleep, and it's really hard to calm her down.