Post subject: Coming Out...

How many of you have discussed your atheism with your close family and friends? Was it difficult to make that step or had they always known?
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Atheist Huddle
Forum Administrator

Post subject: Coming Out

I have only said I am atheist if someone else says it first. Okay, I’m a coward, but that’s how it is for me right now. I don’t think I have to advertise it. I don’t ask people what religion they practice, and very few people ask me. If asked, I just say I don‘t go to church. I can’t announce that I’m an atheist after listening to a Christian go on and on about Jesus. It’s like letting someone describe all the wonderful details of an elaborate cake they baked, and then you tell them you think those kind of cakes taste terrible. I’m not ready for the shock, especially from my family. I hope to be more courageous some day.

Post subject:

I've never said anything to my family about being an atheist. I'm sure they probably suspect though.

When I was in high school, I told my friends I was an atheist. I had some "friends" who tried to "save me", and other "friends" who wanted nothing to do with me. It was my first experience with people not being able to accept differences, and it wasn't a pleasant experience at all.

As a result of this experience, I don't offer up this kind of information anymore. If someone were to ask me, I would be honest though.

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While making the journey towards atheism, I never openly stated much about my questioning and searching.

After becoming utterly atheist, I've never had a problem with telling people. My parents still give me crap over it, which really, I find amusing. Virtually any time we speak, they start in with "so, how's that 'atheist' thing going for you? You know there IS something else out there greater than us" ... LOL, never fails.

I still have friends who are Christian/Buddhist/Taoist/Jewish ... I think my bluntness about the situation let them know, without question, I can't be logically moved from this cerebral point. It has taken time, but between us, we have reached equilibrium, and the friendships are actually better for it.

My only point would be, if you are going to openly discuss it, then a) be prepared for some backlash and b) when backlash occurs, have the stones to stand your ground.

Being atheist is fine with most people, unless you look cowardly about it, then you usually get attacked for it.
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Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Post subject: open atheism

As I learned more about my own reasons for being an atheist, and after meeting other atheists, I became more comfortable with being open about my non-beliefs.
As for my family, they are accepting and do not try to 'save' me or my children. My brother and I do trade atheist/christian jokes, however. Sometimes co-workers can be a problem but if you can ignore the whispering behind your back they will, usually, fade into the background.
Welcome, good luck and do not be ashamed of your new found freedom.
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"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." Albert Einstein

Post subject: New guy here

I came out probably 15 years ago, like others I never used to offer the info. But when you hear a religious person going on and on about finding god and how prayer helps and bla bla bla, you kind of think to yourself, hmmm maybe I should just tell them I’m not a believer. Wow that's a shock to most. Quick story, My sister in law was going on about finding a church and how important god is in our lives, i let her go for about 20 minutes then I told her I was an Atheist. OMG you should have seen her face at that moment. I was totally judged in that split second. I'll never forget that. Anyway we started to talk and she understands my point, but still can't believe I'm an Atheist.

So there's my story, I'm new here and I look forward to talking with everyone. See ya!

Post subject:

i came out like last fall and almost every1 im around is supportive and most of my freinds are atheists as well but mom has been very intolerant lately and has threatend to take away my computer privlages for expressing my beleifs online i cant convince her to let me be myself for some reason its very infuriating

Post subject:

mg_33, welcome to the Huddle!

Out of curiosity, how old are you? I know that during the latter years of my childhood I struggled with doubts about Catholicism but never really had the opportunity to talk with anyone about it - mostly because there was no internet and all my friends and family were believers. It was not until well into adulthood that I was able to shake the 'taboo' feelings of questioning my religion and was able to open my mind and discover the truth for myself.

It is a shame that your mother seems to be threatening you about your views. My advice to you is to stand your ground but don't be in-your-face about it. Try to have a calm and rational conversation with her about it and express that your views are your own and hope that she will respect them. But never compromise what you truly feel is right.

I have three kids, all boys aged 18, 13 and 11 and my wife and I are raising them to be open minded individuals who should question everything, and we encourage them to ask any and all questions about religion and life in general. If one of my kids came to me tomorrow and said "Dad, I am going to be a (fill in religion here) from now on", I would be disappointed but would respect their decision - AND I would not try to convince them that they were wrong and I was right. I feel very strongly about an individuals right to choose their own destiny - free from ridicule.

Although I harbor no ill feelings toward my parents for the way they chose to raise me, I wish that I had been given the same choice that I have afforded my children.

Good luck, and thanks for participating in this discussion!
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Atheist Huddle
Forum Administrator

Post subject:

i just turned 13 in july i am standing my ground but its getting diffficult as she wont let me say my side of the argument i am trying to have a rational conversation but she refuses everytime i try to talk to her

Post subject:

Hang in there mg!

Although I am an adult with three kids of my own, I still have trouble bringing myself to talk with my parents about my disbelief. It is a delicate subject -thanks to the stigma that gets associated with those who do not believe in bronze age myths.

Regardless of how your Mom chooses to deal with the situation, your thoughts and ideas are your own... and she can't take those away!

Good luck, and keep us posted.
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Atheist Huddle
Forum Administrator

Post subject:

once again mom has started up with the biggotry now shes telling me to not watch atheist vids on youtube and im betting its going to get worse in a couple days im f***ed if she ever finds out i have an account on here

Post subject:

This was the last time we heard from mg_33?

Sad. I guess her/his mother shut it off.

At age 13, s/he won't be free of this for another 5 years....

There ought to be a law.