Comment

Comment by Don on March 30, 2011 at 9:51am

Thanks, Tim.  Bad as it was to have been to have been outed accidentally at home, the ensuing family conflict might have been a lot worse, I'm sure.  And it has been exceptionally generous of you, I think, to continue to go to church despite how uncomfortable that kind of ordeal must make you.  

Glad to know you'll be going off to college soon.  Do you know yet where you you will be going and what you will be studying? 

Comment by Ken Hughes on March 30, 2011 at 9:24am

Tim,

 

That's a story of true perseverance and determination of which you should be proud in that you maintained your sanity; many, far too many don't in similar circumstances.  Thanks for sharing it with us.

Comment by Timothy Docster on March 29, 2011 at 11:26pm

Sure thing, Don.

A couple of years ago I joined this site for similar reasons that I think most people do. I live in a heavily religious area, my family is religious, etc and it is nice to talk with people who share some similar views.

My family did not know about my atheism, which caused me some anxiety. It wasn't nice having to live a lie all the time, especially when religion is so important to the people I love and care about.

My parents found out about my atheism on this site which they found through looking at the internet history. And looking back, I honestly don't think they were intentionally looking for anything other than a site they had visited earlier in the day. But I had forgotten that one time to delete the browsing history (which I think one member commented on the ludicrousness of having to delete this site like it was trash, which I agree with). Ironically they found out on Ash Wednesday (the start of the Easter season in the Catholic Church). 

They were initially very upset, but were not angry. They pushed religion even harder, praying more often at home, making me discuss my views with a deacon (who, by the way, thought I had a right to whatever views I like, but unfortunately agreed with my parents' right to take me to church).

It's been a while now and while they bring it up on occasion and still take me to church (I can't afford to leave home until I go to college in a couple months), I have to say although I would NEVER want anyone else to go through this experience, I am glad that my beliefs are out in the open, even if they cause some emotional distress to certain family members.

And obviously I will make damn sure that I never make my child feel as though they are somehow disordered for their view on the world. I hope that my generation (or at least, the next couple generations) will have cleared this particular path of religious conflict in the family so no one will have to go through this. Because unfortunately I'm not the only one and sometimes the consequences are much worse.

 

Comment by Don on March 29, 2011 at 7:03am

Now there hangs a tale, Tim.  Glad you have managed to shuck such wrong-headed oppression, but this kind of freedom usually comes at a cost.  Some of us would like to hear more of this story, I'm sure, if you're inclined to elaborate.

Comment by Shine on March 28, 2011 at 10:59pm

Haha. :) Congrats!

Comment by Timothy Docster on March 28, 2011 at 10:42pm

Yes I did, thank god...oh wait.

Comment by Shine on March 28, 2011 at 10:40pm

Welcome back! Did you turn 18 and gain your legal right to frequent atheist websites? :)

Comment by Timothy Docster on March 28, 2011 at 10:37pm

Hi, I don't know if anyone remembers me but I started this group a couple years ago before being booted off by my religious parents. Just wanted to say I'm back:)

Comment by Ken Hughes on March 18, 2011 at 9:50pm

G'Day Don,  Thank you and it is part of my living will.  I told my true-believer bride for soon to be 45-years that if my wishes for a non-theistic wake or whatever are not honored and I'm being sent away with a standard bible belt ceremony, and there's a minister speaking over my atheist carcass they will think it's the second coming, as if there was ever a first, because I'll get up and walk the hell out of there.

Comment by Don on March 18, 2011 at 8:45pm

Thanks, Ken--a poignant sentiment, no question.  There is an appealing simplicity and grandeur, too, in a burial at sea.

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