Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cynthia on June 1, 2011 at 11:02pm

true!

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Permalink Reply by scLovely on May 31, 2011 at 6:48am

My mom is a believer, my brother and I are not. When she found out we no longer believed, it tore her to pieces. She wouldn't talk for a while and kept crying about it. It was almost like she was mourning our deaths or something. A few years later and we (my bro and I) have been able to talk to her about it. She still thinks that we are just going through a phase and she is in complete denial. Anyway, I always try to reason with her. I would just let it go but she always wants to bring it up. Recently it has been more often (at least once a week). It hasn't been easy having these discussions with her. She wants to turn them into battles. Luckily for me when my mom and I get into it, 30 mins later we can talk about something else and she is no longer upset. It's weird. I'd much rather not have those conversations with her anymore because she gets so upset, but she starts it... and won't let up until I fuss back with her. Sadly, it has put some strain on our relationship. Nothing that we can't handle, but I'd still much rather it be the same as it was before I came out atheist to her.

I'd just let it be known that I don't believe and leave it at that. The arguments are something that this life is too short for. I try telling my mom that as well =/ 

 

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Permalink Reply by Cynthia on June 1, 2011 at 10:48pm

Wow, I'm sorry that your mom is taking it so hard. Luckily, my mom has been pretty easy going with my opinions on religion. I couldn't imagine arguing over it.

I hope your mom just learns to let it go and move on :)

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Permalink Reply by Heather Spoonheim on May 31, 2011 at 7:55am

My mom is a Christian fundamentalist whackjob.  My problem with fundamentalists is that you never actually have a relationship with them - they have a relationship with their imaginary friend, as defined by their pastors, and you only fit into their life in terms of your own relationship with their imaginary friend.  It precludes them from truly being parents because the believe all of us a children of god - except the pastors who seem to assume the role of elder sibling, at best.  You can't get their opinion on anything because their opinion does not exist - it is dictated by their pastor.

 

For most fundies, this system alleviates them of moral responsibility.  If they have failed at anything in life they do not accept any direct accountability - it was either god's plan or they weren't faithful enough.  If they weren't faithful enough then they need to develop their faith skills rather than their life skills.  Even so, there always remains the possibility that the failure is what god wants for them and so it must actually be a good thing.

 

With my own mother, once she knew I didn't believe in her god, conversations all revolved around her trying to get me to believe.  She would pull out a bible and just open it to a random page, then start reading allowed as she marched around the room.  She would run and get some water and bless it to make holy water and then flick it at me, trying to speak in tongues.  Finally I realized she just lived in a delusional world that would never make a direct connection with me.  I haven't had a conversation with her since the late 90's.

 

If your mother can actually speak to you as a human being, and return her opinions and ideas to you and discuss them as a human being, well then cherish that.  If she her mind is no longer her own then she is too far gone and I don't know any way of reaching her.  Whether or not you spend time with her is really about you.  If you find some comfort being near her then enjoy it.  If you don't then don't be afraid to just walk away.

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Permalink Reply by Mo Trauen on May 31, 2011 at 1:10pm

Very good post, Heather.  I especially like the part about how they don't really connect with other people.  It is so true--and so revealing.  To them, other people are like two dimensional playing cards to be sorted into groups:  Believer, non-believer, believer in the "right" church, believer in the "wrong" church, etc.

 

If you can have a relationship with your parents, then great.  If not, then don't.  If they are too difficult, then you should read "Toxic Parents", which can help you sort it out.  In short, people don't have to be "qualified" to be parents, they just have to find someone dumb or horny enough to have sex with them.  In some cases, a child must metaphorically "divorce" his or her parents simply to protect himself from the toxic effects of their problems.

 

If you talk to believing parents about religion, then don't expect to win.  Just keep dropping those little thought barbs into their minds and hope they will actually start to think.

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Permalink Reply by Cynthia on June 1, 2011 at 10:52pm

Wow. I am so sorry your mom is so crazy! Luckily my mom and I have always had a good relationship, and have always been able to leave religion out of it. The more I am reading these responses, the more confident I am at just leaving my mom at peace with her decision to be a christian. She keeps to herself, and lets me do the same. I wish was the same for you :(

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Permalink Reply by IEatDinosaurMeat on June 2, 2011 at 12:44am

Well said Heather. My father is an 'elder sibling', and though I would describe it more like a baby sitter on the phone with mom and dad, still it has the same trappings. Basically an intellectual elite herd leader who's word is gods word.

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Permalink Reply by Heather Spoonheim on June 2, 2011 at 6:12am

@IEDM - The Scary part is that they actually seem to believe that someone else is on the other end of the phone. :D

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Permalink Reply by AntiChristianLeague on May 31, 2011 at 11:20am

Whether or not your mom is willing to examine what you have to say, I don't know. It definitely appears as though she has had to deal with alot of negative events in her life, which may make it less likely that she would consider giving up the belief, no matter how illogical, that has probably helped her get through all the bad things.

 

The only advice I can give is to keep being as emotionally supportive to your mom as you can be, without sacrificing your own principles.

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Permalink Reply by Cynthia on June 1, 2011 at 10:55pm

Yea, I have been trying to be supportive as I can! I dont' think she is willing to listen to what I have to say, and thats ok! Religion makes her feel good, and she's not harming anyone,so I'm just going to leave it be.

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Permalink Reply by Lee Davis on May 31, 2011 at 11:36am

Maybe give her the same freedom to believe that most of us on here wish our families would give to us . . .

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Permalink Reply by Cynthia on June 1, 2011 at 10:55pm

You're absolutely right.

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