Comment by Walter Maki on April 18, 2011 at 1:12am

If using your brain to discern fact from fantasy/fiction then I guess there is something wrong with most of us on this site...lol

When you burst that dogmatic bubble that religion tries to protect then the theistic do get tend to get hostile. 

You are among like minded people here so think away.

Speaking from a parents perspective it is hard to deal with when your child is so different from you.

You have to do what is right for you.

Comment by Walter Maki on April 18, 2011 at 1:18am

No matter what life choices my children make I will support them even if their views are different from mine.

Comment by lloydleroimiller on April 18, 2011 at 1:27am

Hey, there is something wrong with me too!  Awesome!

Comment by IEatDinosaurMeat on April 18, 2011 at 2:46am

Well, I'm not a parent but this is what I think I actually hope to hear a bit more from Walter on the subject, and how he and his religious wife deal with religion with their children, and further how to deal with religion when your parents are teaching your child their religion... Cause I certainly foresee that problem in my DISTANT future and really want a good idea as to how to handle it.
Here's my perspective:
A parent always has a dream about what type of child their child will be as an adult. Some parents want their child to play baseball or football, some want them to play piano or guitar, others want their child to be intellectual and critical. It makes sense that the religious would hold as their dream that their child be religious as they are, perhaps making a difference in the world as a result of the religion. This certainly gives them no right to be manipulative, abusive, or threatening but it does make sense that when all else would fail that is the route to take in as much as a parent will force their favorite sport/instrument on a child. It must be very painful to see your dreams shatter, but it seems that also it's their expectations that created this dream that made it possible for that dream to shatter. In the end it needs to be recognized, I think, that you are responsible for your dreams, belief, lifestyle...etc... And your parents are responsible for theirs.

Does this make sense?

Comment by Hope on April 18, 2011 at 8:13am

nothing wrong with you of course... It's just a matter of time then your mom will become used to it.

This is what happened to me as well, my husband told me, there is somthing wrong with you.

Now he become used to it, and he accepted me as I am.

Comment by Ed on April 18, 2011 at 8:35am

To thine own self be true.....

One must live their own live and not be concerned with conformity and meeting the expectations of others.

Coming out of the closet has been a very liberating experience for me. And one I am proud of.

A parent's love should not be conditional.

Eventually they will come to accept your position on religion. It may take awhile so give them some time.

Comment by Walter Maki on April 18, 2011 at 10:18am

@T Smith- Mine is kind of like the flip slide of this situation. At first my wife had a hard time with dealing with my atheistic way of thinking and my daughter was upset with the possibility saying to her mom I was rocking the boat. My two sons really didn't have much to say. To add a little insight to my household- My family is very intelligent and has a pretty good comprehension on "most" subjects. So after years going to church (a rather erratic attendance) and being involved with activities, my wife and me helped out with childrens studies and even constructed a vacation bible school for the youth (teens) almost single handed. 

To go from that to my new disbelief was a shock...Further detail in journal.

At first I was rather assertive and challenging (which was a bad idea) inside my own household. So I toned it down and continued to quietly study and learn more about how I feel. I made it a point about how much I still love them and would do for them. As the time from my first blog entry the mood has mellowed. My wife is more accepting now of my atheism and has asked me for my take on questions and statements. Patience and a strong love for my family has kept it together. I try to lead by example showing them we have control over are own lives without the need of the guilt and dogma religion brings. If they come over to my way of thinking then that is good but if they don't at least we will still love and respect each others choices. I just want them to think about it.

 

Comment by gage brazie on April 18, 2011 at 12:13pm

i didnt so much come out of the atheist closet as much as slip it in to conversation.both of my parents seemingly just ignore their own religion when around me,the only thing that sucks is every time i sneeze  they say"god bless you"and i say "fuck that" but my pop just giggles now.im proud of their understanding.

Comment by Walter Maki on April 18, 2011 at 2:08pm

Well gage you sound fortunate that youdon't  get the bible thrown at you. Parent to keep learning too because things are way different from the time of their own youth. We have to teach ourselve to actually listen and not just dictate.

I like to think I am a "cool" parent that can be open to what ever my kids bring to me. Yes I do keep the lines of communication open with all my children (two of them are teens) the best I can.

Comment by Reg The Fronkey Farmer on April 18, 2011 at 6:22pm

Atlanta Atheists http://www.thinkatheist.com/group/georgiaatheistsagnostics

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