How do I tell my Pentecostal family I am an Atheist?

Question

Forgive me for the length of my question. I know there are many questions like mine but, given my situation, I feel as though I need a more specific answer from someone who maybe is more experienced in their atheism and telling people. 

I was raised in a very strict Pentecostal family as the granddaughter of pastors and music leaders on both sides of my family. As a child I fully believed in god, as I was brainwashed to do so, and kept my faith throughout my childhood. Despite the fact that I was abused by my father figure, I remained a Christian, simply because I was sort of brainwashed into believing from birth. When my mother divorced my father and the abuse stopped, I started to look back and try to figure out why god would have allowed that to happen to me and many others. 

Now, as a 16 year old, I have been studying all religions trying to figure out what the truth was. About a year ago I came to the realization that there is no god; or at least, not one that an organized religion believes in. A couple months later, I realized that my belief had a term: atheism. Ever since, I have been a very devout atheist, but am still studying religions and science to validate my ideas. 

Last month I decided to tell my mother that I was an atheist, who later told my grandmother. The sight wasn't pretty. They both ganged up on me and told me how I was "going to hell" and that it is "just a phase" and that I'm just "being rebellious." Ever since, the two have forced their religion down my throat and force me to attend church services regularly, where I must still pretend to be the "perfect pastor's granddaughter" even though they know it is not my belief. 

I want to tell my whole family that I am an atheist, so that they will not force religion down my throat. How should I tell them? Should I even tell them?

Answer

don't tell to your family. a religious belief or rational belief can be felt better privately

Answer

You shouldn't tell em out loud! Tell em separately. Sometimes people wanna talk bout things privately just to not hurt them others feelings you know what I'm saying hmm?       

Sometimes you gotta say stuff privately to not hurt others feelings hmm.

Answer

Maybe avoid using the term 'atheist' because it might seem too confrontational. Fundamentalist type believers usually will rant something like 'Satan has you right where he wants you..' stuff like that. 
Suggest using term agnostic to say you feel you need sufficient evidence of supernatural/God existence before you can feel truly convinced.
(Like my experience before I finally decided non-belief/atheism was in my better interests).
Long story short.. gods/supernatural a concept began far back in time as the Neanderthals and evolved over the ages to a time when someone felt inspiration to reduce all to belief in one all powerful, all purpose creator God; a cute story of creation... et al.

Answer

Are you sure you are an atheist?  The fact that you are still searching suggests otherwise.

Organised religion does not follow the Bible, which is God&rsquo;s Word.  You look at religion as it is and you will see that it is hypocritical, and does not adhere to God&rsquo;s standards.  God has never changed, but religion has.  It has adopted pagan beliefs and watered down God&rsquo;s Word of truth.

A good book to read is &ldquo;Mankind&rsquo;s Search for God&rdquo;, you can find this and read it on the JW.org website.

Answer

I am sorry to hear about what happened to you. That should have never had happened. I know it is very difficult but even more from people who profess service and belief in God. It is a legitimate question to ask, why would God allow that to happen and in fact all the other sufferings that happen all over the world. Many people such as yourself have asked that question. The bible also gives the answer to that question and many more. I would like to share that answer with you.

How do I tell my Pentecostal family I am an Atheist?

Answers (5)