I don't know if it's a thing--but, for me--

[vixengrl]

putting "Atheist" as my Facebook religion and linking to my blog were something I thought about for a little longer than I think I should have. I might be judged by some family--but whev. I know I front like this isn't a big issue for my fam--well, not my local fam. But my extended fam has fundies. I could catch heat. But I thought I'd go full-monty on my bio and see what happens. (After all, I'm such a brave little atheist anonymously.*g*)

(Sometimes people don't even blink. I've talked about being atheist in front of co-workers and they don't have an issue. But my family....they might be more likely to want to tell me about myself.)

Anyone else feel weirded out by admitting to atheism to your kin?

[realisticphish]

1. same thing here

well, i'm listed as atheist/agnostic, to cover all definitive bases ;)

But i was a little hesitant to put it on there, btu if my mother noticed it, she hasn't said anything. my family was never very religious, and especially not now, since my sister and I no longer live at home

[Warpy]

2. Religion was a sore subject with my folks

My Irish Catholic mother was an agnostic who believed in reincarnation and hedging her bets. My dad gave every indication of being a true believer. Belief was one of those things we chose not to talk about if we wanted to stay in contact.

My mother was radicalized in her 60s when she finally read the bible cover to cover. She was outraged that load of crap had limited so much of her life. My dad told me during his last illness that he no longer believed a word of it. I reminded him I hadn't believed a word of it since I was a little kid and told him he had a lot of company out there. He died unafraid of hell and that was a good thing. So did my mother.

I really had nothing to do with "deconverting" my parents. They did the job all on their own. All I could do is let them know who I was and where the boundaries were. To their credit, they respected it albeit sadly for a few years.

You just never know. Maybe your courage in admitting who you are on your Facebook page will lend a little courage to family members who are sitting on the fence, afraid not to believe. You might find out others are right there with you, quietly sitting on the fringe with all of us other atheists.

If the fundies object, tell them it has nothing to do with who they are, only with who you are. It probably won't help, but it might make you feel better and make them use somebody else as a rhetorical punching bag.

[TZ]

3. I'm lucky

My dad and my uncle are VERY vocal atheists. In fact my Dad is such an annoying one that I avoided calling myself one for years just to aggravate him :silly:.
My family is very liberal and tolerant whether one is a believer or not.:)

[Soylent Brice]

4. not me. i like to set up the proper expectations up front, as to avoid any confusion.

i don't like being invited to church, or church events, or anything gawd related.

my family is split. few closet atheists, a few open ones (such as myself and my wife) and the rest are catholics (my side) and baptists (her side).

be you. if they love you, and they want to be a real family for you, they won't care either way. expect questions, but they shouldn't be upset if they really care about you.

IMHO, if they throw a fit they're not worth it anyways. i do the best i can to not surround myself with people who want to control me or persuade me towards their religious or ideological affiliations.

in other words: go for it.