Atheist Child & Christian Parents

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Glockenhiemer

Guest
#1
I am an atheist living in a Christian home, and I want to hear advice on the best way to tell this to my parents. I would appreciate the input of parents most of all. If you had to hear this from your child, how would you want them to tell you? Please do not preach to me. I will probably hear a lot preaching in the near future.
 
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iTOREtheSKY

Guest
#2
I don't really know your situation,but I would think the best way to tell them is just to be open & honest with them about what yer' feeling as you would with anything else. Do you have a pretty open relationship with them now? Is this a recent decision for you ? I guess there are many factors,but if I had a child who was an atheist,I would hope they would come to me about it...of course it would make me sad that they felt that way,but I would be glad that at least they felt they could tell me. I think with any parent,they may not like the lifestyle or choices their kids make,but they still love them as their children. Good luck to you...no preaching,but hopefully you will reconsider & maybe give God a try/or another try if that's the case. Peace!
 
Apr 27, 2013
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#3
It really depends. Some parents end up losing all their trust in their children when they come out as atheists, and it causes a lot of tension. Other times, the parents are able to move on and they'll continue to trust their children (albeit, with some worry about their soul). It really depends on your parents and how you think they'll react. Sometimes, it's easier to wait until you're out of the house to tell them.
 
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Ugly

Guest
#4
Wouldn't it make more sense to ask atheists, rather than Christians? There is going to be no good way to tell this that i can think of, anyways.
 
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danschance

Guest
#5
You are asking for people's opinion who are all strangers to you, whom have never met you, never met your parents, don't know about your circumstances and they all disagree with your decision to put your trust in the joke of atheism.

Yea, I will be happy to give you my opinion. Fall down on your knees and ask God to be forgiven and invite Jesus into your heart, as soon as possible. Trust me, no other decision is a good one.
 
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Tethered

Guest
#6
How religious or devout are they?
The first concern is for your safety and future; excommunication, use of college funds in support of christian camps/university, or if there is a risk of abuse/violence then please don't come out.

There is a whole world of "when to come out the closet" answers available, on google as well as youtube.
 
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intercessorginger

Guest
#7
Honesty is the best policy. Your parents probably already know and are praying about it.
 

TheAristocat

Senior Member
Oct 4, 2011
2,150
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#8
I am an atheist living in a Christian home, and I want to hear advice on the best way to tell this to my parents. I would appreciate the input of parents most of all. If you had to hear this from your child, how would you want them to tell you? Please do not preach to me. I will probably hear a lot preaching in the near future.
I think Ugly said it best. Anyway, welcome to the forums. Hope you find what you came looking for. :)
 
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Glockenhiemer

Guest
#9
Thank you guys for your responses and your time! Specifically iTOREtheSKY, Umbra, Tethered. In response to some questions: my parents and I have a good relationship and I have not been a believer for about a year. I want to hear from Christians because my perspective on nonbelief has obviously changed. I'm not worried about them doing anything drastic, but they are very serious about the faith.
To danschance: thank you for doing the exact thing I asked you not to do :)
 
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Nuns_n_roses

Guest
#10
I would just sit them down and say something like "Mom, dad, I know that you have both been the best parents I could've hoped for and that is why I have to tell you something very important. Please don't think any less of me for it because I'm still the same child you raised..." then take that serious tone opportunity to let them know about your beliefs and how you don't want anything between the family dynamics to change.

Hope I helped. :)
 
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Glockenhiemer

Guest
#11
Thanks Nuns n Roses! Also I would like to clarify that when I say "atheist" I solely mean an unbeliever. All that extra baggage and stereotypicall stuff is not what I'm implying with "atheist".
 
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Nuns_n_roses

Guest
#12
Thanks Nuns n Roses! Also I would like to clarify that when I say "atheist" I solely mean an unbeliever. All that extra baggage and stereotypicall stuff is not what I'm implying with "atheist".
Is there something stereotypical about being an Atheist? I know they come in all shapes and sizes! :)

Regardless you have every right to believe or not and not be preached at, but do expect your parents to go through the stages of grieving. I do hope that talking to them goes smoothly for you! :)
 

TheAristocat

Senior Member
Oct 4, 2011
2,150
26
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#13
Thanks Nuns n Roses! Also I would like to clarify that when I say "atheist" I solely mean an unbeliever. All that extra baggage and stereotypicall stuff is not what I'm implying with "atheist".
So you'd consider yourself more of an agnostic instead of an atheist who believes as a fact there is no God?
 
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ElizabethPeter

Guest
#14
I may not be an adult, but God works through everyone. I know that's the last thing you want to hear, and I also know that you don't want me to preach to you. Which, I won't. Unless you want me too. But just letting you know, children that are raised in Christian homes become Atheists because they find it hard to believe in Christ. It all sounds so fictional, right? I understand your point. I too was a little skeptical, but God opened up my eyes. And for the first time, it felt like I could see. It took me a while. But when God says something, He does it. Lying isn't His thing. And I'm preaching.. I do apologize. But to be honest, the truth I believe in, isn't the same as the one your parents believe. That would explain why you're an Atheist. Anyway, just tell your parents. And if they judge you, let them be. Because if they're real Christians, they wouldn't judge. God gave us all the free will, and told us not to judge anyone. It says so clearly in scripture. Everyone's different. They have different beliefs. Just like you. I just hope you'll come to the realization that the truth isn't all that it seems to be. There's more to the truth than meets the eye. You'll probably not understand that now. But sooner, or later, you will. But maybe then, it'll be too late. I'm not here to judge. I'm not perfect. But that's probably why Christ died for me. Again, sorry about the preaching. And by the way, just so you know, Christianity isn't about morals and doing good onto others. It's about Christ, and salvation. That's what people don't get. They need to get their facts straight. So, just tell your parents. And if they judge you, just ignore them. And tell them this; "Nobody's perfect. If you're so perfect, then why do you need a God?" Hopefully they get it. Have a good day. And I really do apologize about preaching.
 
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DannyC

Guest
#15
So you'd consider yourself more of an agnostic instead of an atheist who believes as a fact there is no God?
The term stands. A person who doesn't believe in God qualifies as an atheist. That's it, there is no baggage, on terms alone you can't link them to anything else really.
 
Apr 27, 2013
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#16
So you'd consider yourself more of an agnostic instead of an atheist who believes as a fact there is no God?
You're thinking of gnostic atheists. To simply lack a belief in God is still atheism.

Gnostic Atheist - Believes there are no gods. They claim to know there isn't a God.
Agnostic Atheist - Does not believe there are any gods. They don't know if there isn't a God, but they find it unlikely.
Agnostic Theist - Believes there are one or more gods. They don't know if there are any Gods, but they find it likely.
Gnostic Theist - Believes there is one or more gods. They claim to know there is a God.
 

Fenner

Senior Member
Jan 26, 2013
7,507
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#17
If I was your parent I'd want to know. I wouldn't stop loving or praying for my child. I would want to keep the love and communication open with my child. Sounds like you have parents that you can talk to, I would definitely tell them.
 

TheAristocat

Senior Member
Oct 4, 2011
2,150
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#18
You're thinking of gnostic atheists. To simply lack a belief in God is still atheism.

Gnostic Atheist - Believes there are no gods. They claim to know there isn't a God.
Agnostic Atheist - Does not believe there are any gods. They don't know if there isn't a God, but they find it unlikely.
Agnostic Theist - Believes there are one or more gods. They don't know if there are any Gods, but they find it likely.
Gnostic Theist - Believes there is one or more gods. They claim to know there is a God.
Pretty nifty chart. Where would a Christian fall in there? ;) Personally, I don't know for a fact that there is a God, but I think it's very likely and I think the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the most logical choice.
 
Apr 27, 2013
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#19
Pretty nifty chart. Where would a Christian fall in there? ;) Personally, I don't know for a fact that there is a God, but I think it's very likely and I think the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the most logical choice.
A Christian can be either an agnostic or a gnostic (that's awkward to say out loud).

When a person remains completely neutral, they may not believe there is no god, but they also don't believe there is a god either. Technically, they lack a belief in God. It took me a while to understand how someone can "lack" a belief in God without believing there is no God, but that's essentially what you have with people who say, "I'm neither theist or atheist, I'm agnostic."

I guess it can be said that there are two types of agnostic atheists. Those who believe there is no God, and those who simply lack a belief in God.

Sorry for getting technical. I understand what you meant when you said agnostic, I'm really just debating semantics. I'm just putting the model I like to use out on the table. : P
 
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Glockenhiemer

Guest
#20
Considering that chart, I am an agnostic atheist. I know I'm not a Christian, I know I'm not any other religion, and I won't make up my own god because that's just an imaginary friend.