Comments on: “Dad, I’m an atheist.”

By: Atheist V

Atheist V — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 06:36:47 +0000

Wow I am 19 now. I have been an atheist since I was 16 agnostic since I was 12. But I have always hidden my ideas. They were always too 'dangerous'. If I ever tell my family… they are supposed to disown me. But you know what. As soon as I am financially independent I don't care. My life has been hell for me and I am tired of holding my tongue.

My only advice for you is 'think for yourself.' Certain strands of liberalism have deep faults and are really based on faith as well. Faith is to be avoided at all costs. What you need is mutual respect and trust.

Your situation seems much easier than mine though. Your mom seems to put you above 'god.' As I was about too kill myself I guess five years ago now. In fact the hate grows until you wonder if murder is the answer and maybe prison for life would be better than a mental prison. Luckily I have the internet. An outlet. So I will continue to live for a future – I will not burn the bridges prematurely. I will not throw away everything for them. I have given up the expectation of love and this has allowed me to live on.

Yes I will be an upstanding citizen and a futurist.

By: James Tracy

James Tracy — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:07:31 +0000

It IS great! As far as your parents go, you might have to take it slowly and give them some time. It might be better to wait until you are in college or otherwise living on your own in which case your parents will have far less control over your life. As long as you are a dependent they might feel like they want to control you simply because they think they can.

By: bobbbb

bobbbb — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:42:37 +0000

very inspiring! i'm in the exact same position at the moment, i come from a family of devout catholics and i'm too scared to tell my parents :( they go to church each sunday and i always sleep in or pretend to be sick so i dont have to go, because i feel so fake being there.
at school, i started to really get into science over the past few years and it opened my mind to a whole lot of things. i stopped believing in god about a year ago.
i LOVE being able to think for myself! i love being able to think logically! it's great!

By: FuckRogerMoore

FuckRogerMoore — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:12:45 +0000

get out of here troll

By: maestra

maestra — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:12:24 +0000

Wow! What a great story! Would you please join us and post your story on exchristian.net? I

By: Courtney

Courtney — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:14:45 +0000

Good job girlie <3

By: Megan

Megan — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:51:45 +0000

This took a lot of courage! Speaking as an atheist who also comes from a conservative bible-thumping Christian family, I know what youre going through. Hang in there! Im still getting the whole "you've been brainwashed by the evil secular government" crap, but its not as bad as it used to be. I hope things get better for you too. I know this is kind of an old post, so this advise is most likely no longer valuable, but continue on with expressing your beliefs without pushing them on others: that will gain you and your atheism more respect than anything else. Also, be careful not to fall into being a liberal just because its what you think atheists are supposed to do. I myself am an independent. On many issues I tend to lean liberally, but on some I lean more conservatively. You just discovered your own free will; dont let anyone take it from you! Good luck!!!!

By: James Smith

James Smith — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:16:02 +0000

Reading all the comments from younger people it is both sad and uplifting to see that what is nothing less than brainwashing of children is still happening. It's uplifting to see that people can overcome it on their own. Yes, the human mind can prevail even in the face of what would be considered brutal and evil treatment were it done to prisoners of war.

Perhaps a day will come when this kind of thing will be considered child abuse. To me, it certainly is. Instilling fear and guilt in the guise of religion is certainly not a loving act, no matter what the perpetrators may say.

By: James Tracy

James Tracy — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:05:40 +0000

Thank you for sharing this. Do you mind if I re-post it?

By: Kathryn Aguilar

Kathryn Aguilar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:01:15 +0000

This was really a great thing for me to read. I, being 17 and coming from a strict Catholic household, could really compare with this story. I recently came upon the fact that when my mother sent me to Saturday schools at her church, and forced me to go to church, I never believed any of the things they told me. I told my mother how I never believed any of it, and how much sense was lost in believing in it. My situation is a bit different, but I could really connect with it, because my Grandmother is a lot like the writers father. I haven't told her yet, but she'll find out sooner or later.
But thank you so much for writing this, it shows how influenced teenagers and children are by their parents, and how they should be able to choose for themselves which religious path they want to take, if any at all.