Any young atheists out there who live in religious households?

[CosmicHooves 2,705]

Recently a month ago I had declared myself an atheist.

Now, I am generally a very skeptical and openminded person, but I'd always hold onto my religion out of fear of what could happen if I denied my deity.

But one day I saw all the fallacies in my religion and the circular logic of most religious arguments that supported it and decided "You know what? Fuck it." and I left religion as a whole.

Ever since then I've been trying to inform myself on the scientific knowledge that I lack... through the internet.

The problem is that I go to a religious school (12th grade), have strict Conservative religious parents, and I'm forced to go to church every Sunday (when frankly I'd rather be doing my school work).

Not to mention NO ONE I know in person is an atheist or at least an agnostic.

Never met one in my life.

I know that's a bit shocking.

Also I know little to jack about evolution do to my religious private school education and it's been frustrating.

Thank fucking GOODNESS that I'm going to college next year and taking biology.

Maybe I can ask my professor about the subject.

 

Well that's enough of my rambling.

I wanted to see if there's anyone who is/was in the same situation that I'm currently in.

[Sir Xarthas VI 470]

Since I was 5 I've been an atheist. And I've always had religious relatives and friends. When I was 7 I lost every single one of my friends, because they were all christians, and they learned that I was an atheist. And whenever I attempted to speak to them, they treated me as if I were a satanist (I've learned that a lot of people believe that satanism and atheism are one in the same thing). I myself have learned to live through life on my own. Don't depend on emotions through friends or family, and stray away from socializing. And it works for me. Never been happier. But unless you're prepared for that lifestyle, I don't suggest being a loner.

[CosmicHooves 2,705]

Since I was 5 I've been an atheist. And I've always had religious relatives and friends. When I was 7 I lost every single one of my friends, because they were all christians, and they learned that I was an atheist. And whenever I attempted to speak to them, they treated me as if I were a satanist (I've learned that a lot of people believe that satanism and atheism are one in the same thing). I myself have learned to live through life on my own. Don't depend on emotions through friends or family, and stray away from socializing. And it works for me. Never been happier. But unless you're prepared for that lifestyle, I don't suggest being a loner.

Well my best friend and I have completely different political ideologies.

I'm a Libertarian and tend to lean more to the left in many instances.

And he's a Conservative Fascist.

So we decided "let's just not talk about politics and be friends".

I'm wondering if me admitting to him that I'm an atheist would get the same reaction.

That's why I'm still a closet atheist.

Plus, if my parents found out they'd probably try to "fix" me and pull me back into their religion.

And I'm very uninformed, which would be problematic in a situation like that.

I'd be more susceptible to brain washing.

[Sir Xarthas VI 470]

Well my best friend and I have completely different political ideologies.

I'm a Libertarian and tend to lean more to the left in many instances.

And he's a Conservative Fascist.

So we decided "let's just not talk about politics and be friends".

I'm wondering if me admitting to him that I'm an atheist would get the same reaction.

That's why I'm still a closet atheist.

Plus, if my parents found out they'd probably try to "fix" me and pull me back into their religion.

And I'm very uninformed, which would be problematic in a situation like that.

I'd be more susceptible to brain washing.

If only we'd invented transferable micro-chips so that I could transfer my knowledge to you. Because I have arguments for anything a religious person could throw at me, plus 3 backups in case the person is somewhat smart (but usually they're not).

He's a Conservative Fascist? Do you know if he's religious or not? He could be an Atheist too.

[EquestriaGuy 1,074]

Also I know little to jack about evolution do to my religious private school education and it's been frustrating.

 

 

Basically, from even my rough understanding of evolution, you have an organism that has a genetic mutation that gives it an advantage to survive and reproduce, its genes will be passed along, and eventually over the course of tens or hundreds of thousands of years, those mutations continue to mutate, giving those with the mutation an even better chance of survival and reproduction.

 

For instance, eyes. Eyes started out simply as a photo sensitive cell on some sort of primordial fish. That photo sensitive cell gave that organism a better chance at surviving. Over the course of countless generations, that mutation became an increasingly more photo sensitive cell, until eventually you have the eyes we see today.

 

Another important example is human evolution. A laughably absurd statement you commonly see from evolution deniers is "if evolution is true, why are there still monkeys?" Anyone who understands evolution immediately bursts out laughing because we don't descend from monkeys, we descend from a common ancestor. What would become the human race started out as a mutation, which compounded itself, until eventually you have primates like us with larger brains, and the ability to think critically, create, and contemplate the universe. Everything we are comes from a 2% deviation in DNA from apes.That 2% separates apes from Quantum Physics.

 

 

EDIT: I HIGHLY recommend you check out the "Cosmos" series hosted by Neil DeGrasse Tyson. It's truly a beautiful documentary on the universe and how it works.

Edited October 28, 2015 by EquestriaGuy

[CosmicHooves 2,705]

If only we'd invented transferable micro-chips so that I could transfer my knowledge to you. Because I have arguments for anything a religious person could throw at me, plus 3 backups in case the person is somewhat smart (but usually they're not).

He's a Conservative Fascist? Do you know if he's religious or not? He could be an Atheist too.

Yep.

He's a die-hard Baptist.

Me and him became friends because we had allot in common.

We were both hardcore gamers, had the same sporting interests, and were both Christians.

I'm afraid this change will eventually sever our relationship.

[SquipyCheetah 449]

I may not live in a religious household but my grandma always tries to 'convert' me. I hate it and I have no idea how many times I have lost my cool and told her off. Ever since I was a kid, religion confused me and I originally thought it was simply a joke like Santa and didn't think people were serious. I was a stupid kid but I never hide my atheism. If you don't like it, well. I don't care what you think. 

[Gearbox10mm 794]

You are in luck my friend, for you have the internet. Anything and everything you could ever want to know is at your fingertips.

 

Thankfully, I was brought up in a religiously neutral home with a somewhat Christian leaning belief foundation. There were bibles around but they were never read and were mostly kept out of habit / tradition mostly.

 

I will say this, if someone wishes to end their friendship with you over differing religious beliefs, they were never really your friend in the first place.    

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,863]

I finally realized that I was an atheist when I was 16 or so, and I was incredibly skeptical years before that. So I have had to deal with some drama about that, but luckily, despite most of my family being chrsitian, they are not hardcore with it. I guess I got lucky with that. I have had my fair share of debates with them though about it when they would question me, that is never fun, those never go anywhere. :\ That is where the Internet is a magical place with magical charms (Spongebob reference!), I was able to explore more and more about the universe and evolution and many different sciences and communicate with other atheists on these subjects and more and more I became happier as a result. I think this will help you out a lot. ^__^ The internet that is.

[Admiral Regulus 2,769]

I'm nonreligious, but fortunately, I grew up with nonreligious parents. I can't even imagine what it would be like to have parents telling you to read your bible and pray every night. That would be so weird.

[Redacted321 105]

I don't live in a religious household and my family isn't too invested in it but it's pretty much expected for you to believe in god (Yahweh). When i bring up points about the circular logic and contradictions in the bible i get "don't question it" treatment. Allowed to be atheist but my opinion mustn't be heard apparently.

[Trixie Heartstrings 434]

I'm an agnostic atheist who has parents that are Presbyterian ministers. They are pretty liberal though, so I don't think they'd be too crazy on it, maybe some crying, then they would probably try to "convert" me by making me read a book, then give up after realizing I'm not going back. I'm more worried about how my grandpa would react, because he's one of those people who thinks putting the bible in schools would stop school shootings, and he probably believes that America is a "christain nation".

[I used to be a stranger 7,994]

This post has been redacted by the author.

Edited May 10, 2021 by Blue

[NeonCobalt 256]

I'm an athiest, and the rest of my family is Roman Catholic. When I told my parents I was an athiest, they were pretty ok with it, after a while anyway. At first, they had strong reactions, not angry, but disappointed and sad. My brother was completely okay with it. Literally, he just said "Oh, okay. So how was your day?". Ironically, he's the most religious person in my family. All of my friends know, but my extended family is completely unaware. Mainly, I'm just afraid of my Uncle's reaction. He is VERY against any religious belief that isn't catholic. I distinctly remember having a conversation with him where he told me his theory that Muslims worship the devil (I'm DEAD serious). I'll probably never hear the end of it from him.

[Akari of Duskshire 581]

I'm agnostic and so is my father, but my mother is Christian.  She doesn't try to convert us or anything, but she does have us join in on prayers.

 

That being said, I don't think my grandmother ever found out I'm agnostic, but she was upset at my father for listening to more secular music and choosing to play guitar over piano like she wanted (and she tried forcing me, but I'm more of a vocalist).

[Wyzecat 350]

I'm agnostic, not athiest, but this still applies.

 

Yes,  do live in a religious household.  My mother was slow to accept it, but my father and brother both ridicule me for it.

[Envy 6,220]

Well, I don't know that I count as 'young' anymore... *sigh* But I first became an atheist around 16/17, so I do have some understanding. The thing is that once I became an atheist, it was past the point at which my parents forced me to go to church. In fact, they'd stopped going themselves.

 

This is something I'm very happy for... It has completely prevented any reason for confrontation, and has allowed me to remain silent about my disbelief. They still believe themselves, and I just have to look away when they mention stuff like my grandparents or dog being in heaven. That's pretty much the only time my mom brings up being Christian or having any belief in God anymore. It's easy to deal with.

 

Although, I will say I never enjoyed church, not even when I thought I was a believer. The deal was that I never felt the existence of any deity for myself. I remember sitting in church thinking "Wow, they must all have some great reason to believe that I've been denied so far." I trusted my family and community that they had some reason to believe that I didn't... But as I grew up, that reason never came to me. So church was a complete and total drag. I remember always using that time to draw when I was really young. lol

[Sunwalker 981]

Ever since then I've been trying to inform myself on the scientific knowledge that I lack... through the internet.

The problem is that I go to a religious school (12th grade), have strict Conservative religious parents, and I'm forced to go to church every Sunday (when frankly I'd rather be doing my school work).

 

This may sound a bit harsh, but I don't mean this in a rude manner. The idea that I subscribe here is that while you live under someone else's rule you have to follow their rules. They raised you, loved you, provided you with food, clotting and other basic needs; so I think that it isn't asking much that you do something in return for them. An hour of church once a week isn't even much time and also it isn't much to ask to.

 

---

 

Ever since then I've been trying to inform myself on the scientific knowledge that I lack... through the internet.

The problem is that I go to a religious school (12th grade), have strict Conservative religious parents, and I'm forced to go to church every Sunday (when frankly I'd rather be doing my school work).

(...)

Also I know little to jack about evolution do to my religious private school education and it's been frustrating.

Thank fucking GOODNESS that I'm going to college next year and taking biology.

Maybe I can ask my professor about the subject.

  

That is where the Internet is a magical place with magical charms (Spongebob reference!), I was able to explore more and more about the universe and evolution and many different sciences and communicate with other atheists on these subjects and more and more I became happier as a result.

 

Evolution and science in general doesn't really contradict faith. The supposed opposition between faith and evolution comes from fundamentalist atheists, and also some fundamentalist religious who bought into their narrative. Needless to say, both of them are just a very loud minority within their respective groups.

 

The first universities were founded by the Church, which basically started modern science. Many great scientists through history were also people of faith. For the faithful, Science can be seen as an way of understanding the mind of God and how he made the Universe to work. There are no need to oppose Science, and also no reason for Science to oppose faith.

 

I myself am a devout person, and I also work in the scientific area. I am a Chemist. Both Science and Religious go perfectly well for me . Fun fact about me: I started to get more serious about my faith around the same time that I started college.

 

---

 

I think this will help you out a lot. ^__^ The internet that is.

When it comes to Atheism on the Internet, it is pretty much a big hugbox. They pretty much only repeat the same tired cliches without actually thinking about the subject, and are closed to anyone who might thing differently than them. The discussion on God is a very deep and complex subject, which is reduced to some juvenile ramblings... Yet they wonder why many people don't take seriously Internet atheists

 

---

 

I'm an agnostic atheist who has parents that are Presbyterian ministers. They are pretty liberal though, so I don't think they'd be too crazy on it, maybe some crying, then they would probably try to "convert" me by making me read a book, then give up after realizing I'm not going back. I'm more worried about how my grandpa would react, because he's one of those people who thinks putting the bible in schools would stop school shootings, and he probably believes that America is a "christain nation".

Though I do agree that someone must not be forced to convert, there are somethings that I have to disagree with.

 

I am not american, but I can understand that "Christian Nation" means two things: (1) The moral principles in which America was founded are eminently Christian; and (2) most of its citizens are Christians.

 

About the school shootings thing and the Bible, I guess that what he meant was that morals eventually goes downhill when God is taken out of the equation. So far, every single society that lasted for over a century were founded or at least influenced my religious principles, especially when it comes to the morals. Even nonreligious people can benefit from that, as those morals also protect them. However, all the attempts of creating a purely secular society all lead to sanguinary dictatorships.

 

Creating a society without religious foundations has never worked through all the story of mankind, so forgive me when I am skeptical of anyone who claims that it is possible.

 

---

 

If only we'd invented transferable micro-chips so that I could transfer my knowledge to you. Because I have arguments for anything a religious person could throw at me, plus 3 backups in case the person is somewhat smart (but usually they're not).

He's a Conservative Fascist? Do you know if he's religious or not? He could be an Atheist too.

I hope that this "having a response for everything" does not mean copy and paste from the Internet after a Google search . This thing don't really make anyone smart. Sorry, thinking that you have answers for everything just means some serious overconfidence for me.

 

Memorizing responses raises some serious red flags. Having knowledge is not the amount of things that you can memorize, but actually how you use this knowledge. When you do know about the subject, you can formulate an argument about it yourself without having to repeat someone's else words. The mindset that if they say A then I reply B is not an intelligent philosophical debate, but rather an exercise of repetition.

 

On a different note, [sarcasm]I do love how the words "fascist" and "conservative" are usually threw together...[/sarcasm]

 

---

 

But one day I saw all the fallacies in my religion and the circular logic of most religious arguments that supported it and decided "You know what? Fuck it." and I left religion as a whole.

I don't live in a religious household and my family isn't too invested in it but it's pretty much expected for you to believe in god (Yahweh). When i bring up points about the circular logic and contradictions in the bible i get "don't question it" treatment. Allowed to be atheist but my opinion mustn't be heard apparently.

When someone does have knowledge about the subject, there are no need to be afraid of questions. Actually, questioning is important to gain more knowledge. I say that here you just met religious people who happened to not have knowledge about their own faith, however not all of them are like that.

 

Those Bible questions are things that make perfectly sense once you get to understand the reasons behind them, and also the culture in which they were written. The Bible is a very difficult read, and approaching it without good knowledge is asking to commit a lot of mistakes. When you read something in a superficial and hasty manner you can find as much contradictions as you want, not only for the Bible but any text whatsoever.

 

---

 

They still believe themselves, and I just have to look away when they mention stuff like my grandparents or dog being in heaven. That's pretty much the only time my mom brings up being Christian or having any belief in God anymore. It's easy to deal with.

They mean well, and I don't really understand why you have to frown upon it.

 

It befuddles me how some people find offensive the mention of religious stuff, when they are capable of discussing any other subject in a calm manner. Like the faith of others it isn't just a matter of divergence of ideas, but rather a personal offence. Perhaps you could enlighten me on that?

[Envy 6,220]

 They mean well, and I don't really understand why you have to frown upon it.

 

It befuddles me how some people find offensive the mention of religious stuff, when they are capable of discussing any other subject in a calm manner. Like the faith of others it isn't just a matter of divergence of ideas, but rather a personal offence. Perhaps you could enlighten me on that?

 

I think maybe I made a poor choice of words. When I said "look away", I did not mean that I was offended or anything, I just meant that I don't believe so I can't really contribute to that conversation. It is actually more awkward than you give credit for, though - Just try being the lone one in the family that has to cope with the permanent loss of someone you love, while everyone else believes they're only grieving temporarily.

 

To be honest, I'm not sure where you got any of this from my post to begin with, though.

Edited October 29, 2015 by Envy

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,863]

 

This may sound a bit harsh, but I don't mean this in a rude manner. The idea that I subscribe here is that while you live under someone else's rule you have to follow their rules. They raised you, loved you, provided you with food, clotting and other basic needs; so I think that it isn't asking much that you do something in return for them. An hour of church once a week isn't even much time and also it isn't much to ask to.

 

---

 

  

 

Evolution and science in general doesn't really contradict faith. The supposed opposition between faith and evolution comes from fundamentalist atheists, and also some fundamentalist religious who bought into their narrative. Needless to say, both of them are just a very loud minority within their respective groups.

 

The first universities were founded by the Church, which basically started modern science. Many great scientists through history were also people of faith. For the faithful, Science can be seen as an way of understanding the mind of God and how he made the Universe to work. There are no need to oppose Science, and also no reason for Science to oppose faith.

 

I myself am a devout person, and I also work in the scientific area. I am a Chemist. Both Science and Religious go perfectly well for me . Fun fact about me: I started to get more serious about my faith around the same time that I started college.

 

---

 

When it comes to Atheism on the Internet, it is pretty much a big hugbox. They pretty much only repeat the same tired cliches without actually thinking about the subject, and are closed to anyone who might thing differently than them. The discussion on God is a very deep and complex subject, which is reduced to some juvenile ramblings... Yet they wonder why many people don't take seriously Internet atheists

 

I really do not understand why you are trying to make this into a debate when it clearly isn't one. 

[Sporemane 546]

I have always bin a Athiest and I have many friends who are Christans an we get along just fine.

[SilverStarApple 849]

Sadly, yes. That wasn't even one of the top ten reasons why I left, but yes.

[Sir Xarthas VI 470]

 

 

I hope that this "having a response for everything" does not mean copy and paste from the Internet after a Google search . This thing don't really make anyone smart. Sorry, thinking that you have answers for everything just means some serious overconfidence for me. Memorizing responses raises some serious red flags. Having knowledge is not the amount of things that you can memorize, but actually how you use this knowledge. When you do know about the subject, you can formulate an argument about it yourself without having to repeat someone's else words. The mindset that if they say A then I reply B is not an intelligent philosophical debate, but rather an exercise of repetition.

I get what you're saying here. Though I'm not one of those people. Through my own experiences I've formulated different responses to different questions and statements. The Almighty Googel wasn't used to find my arguments and statements, and wont be in the future. And I don't mean in a literal sense "response for everything", though I do mean most things. There have been a few times that someone has questioned me or stated to me something I didn't have a reply for (usually a smartass reply because people irritate me), and I thought of the best reply for them. And aftwerward I thought of a few more different replies so I can use them all, instead of repeating the same one so I don't seem like an idiot.

[Trixie Heartstrings 434]

 

 

So far, every single society that lasted for over a century were founded or at least influenced my religious principles, especially when it comes to the morals. Even nonreligious people can benefit from that, as those morals also protect them. However, all the attempts of creating a purely secular society all lead to sanguinary dictatorships. Creating a society without religious foundations has never worked through all the story of mankind, so forgive me when I am skeptical of anyone who claims that it is possible.

I'm not advocating for a society without religion. I just don't think religion should be involved in the government, which there's already a law about in the US. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". Which is how I think it should be. Even though "society without religious foundations has never worked", religious government (theocracy) doesn't work either. The countries in the Middle East have religious governments, and people are getting beheaded for having different religious beliefs. It also hasn't worked historically either. The Salem witch trials are an example.

 

TL;DR Version: I'm not against people preacticing religion, I'm just against religious governments.

[CosmicHooves 2,705]

I'm nonreligious, but fortunately, I grew up with nonreligious parents. I can't even imagine what it would be like to have parents telling you to read your bible and pray every night. That would be so weird.

My Dad doesn't "technically" make me read my Bible.

But he sure the hell makes me feel really fucking guilty about not reading it.

He'll lecture me up to a half an hour on how it's easy to fall from the grace of God if you don't read the Scripture.

My only excuse that he excepts is that I'm doing homework.

If I'm playing video games and it's getting to be late, I'm in deep shit.

Some timd last year I was going to go to bed cause it was like 11:30 and I had school the next day.

He came up into my room to talk to me about why I was catching behind on my reading.

The lecture lasted for over an hour and my own mother had to yell at my father to get him out of my room.

That night I didn't get even a decent night's rest.