...you are part of thier "comfort zone"; be patient
as you reaffirm your needs ,that these individuals
cannot meet. Because they are living a fantasy
that is culturally encouraged; there is going to be a range of reactions - choose with care which
which relationships u value and choose to
continue. Be encouraged by others(aquaintantces,public figures,ECT) who
are available to demonstrate that they are in
touch with reality(they can safely live without
religion) !!!
Thanks for a good post!be confident that
u are doing the right thing- for u and them!!

If you could find a job and a place to stay a ways away from those religous nuts you are working for now I think it would be easier to get your kids loose from all the religous indoctrination they’ve had but I’m sure it will take time and they may never recover from it. I’m the only atheist in my family and they know it. They generally don’t press me on my lack of religous beliefs and I don’t press my views on them. If they do press me on my lack of beliefs I show them the following pictures.

Look for another job then take your kids and get the hell away from those idiots. The only other alternative you have is to keep your atheism to yourself and put up with the religous bullshit.

Church of the holy braimwashing..run,get your kids and get away fast

Take it slowly. Detangle yourself first before worrying about the kids. Find a new job, move if possible. Build a strong support system of non-religious friends. When you are ready to deal with the kids, remember to be respectful and not push your new beliefs on them. Explain your new beliefs and then be supportive as they deal with the confusing emotions. Focus on building strong relationships with them and maintaining open conversation and leave it at that. If they are ready to open themselves to a new perspective, they will come to you.

I think you have very little hope of deprogramming your children in that environment. Get out and go somewhere far away.

Move to a better place. See if you can find a good attorney to sue the church for unpaid benefits, report the pastor for tax evasion.

I to live in the BB missouri. It is very difficult to be athiest. You must seek out like minded people near you to keep sane. You must slowly move to a new job and friends. I'm working on this, but I do get lonely for a voice of reason.

Maybe just ask "innocent" questions that appeal to the strong sense of right & wrong that kids this age have, like why the Cannaanites had to be slaughtered, or why Job went through all that horror? Or, why we are condemned from birth by a "loving" gawd. Have Good discussions, you do not need to convert them, just make them Think.....the rest will take care of itself, just as it did for you.

Wow...ure in a hard spot being that it is so much a part of your job and lively-hood. Doesn't surprise me they don't pay you crap though, but hey, they'll be happy to pray for you, just as long as they don't have to actually DO anything, right? I would be very careful with this, they will most likely fire you in a heart beat. Family is an issue, but you won't be hungry and homeless if they have a problem with it, so for now tread cautious till you can find another job...and start looking immediately!!! I think that should be your #1 priority at this point.

Here is a link that lists a few different support groups that may be in your area and able to help. [sobernation.com] You could also reach out to [atheists.org] and [atheist-experience.com]. They may know of some resources available. I remember at one time finding a site for pastors that left the faith, but can't seem to find the link anymore.

In a nutshell; you have to separate from the church. Do no work for them, draw no income from them, don't rely on them to "educate" your children, nothing. Break from them as much as possible until you can break from them entirely.

Tough one, bro - or sis - leave the area? - and then start telling your children how you feel - just share - don't try to change their views - they will change if they want to

1. Congratulations
2. Welcome to a bigger world
3. There are already good advices and I won't be repetitive
4. Religion has one thing right and do not underestimate it, it is called community, and they are cruel because they strip you out of it when you live the church, this is the reason of most of the "destroyed lives out of Jesus". So build up around you (this site is good for it, but also facebook and other meeting points) of healthy people that do not mind your religious (or lack of religious) position.
5. Read a lot, in one or 2 years you will probably learn more about your old religioin than your whole life.

Ok, a lot of long posts, so will try to keep this short. Get financially independent of the church if at all possibleFind anostic or secular friends on this site who are close and start a support group for yourself (discretely of course), gradually bring your children away from the church activities, go to your local library and get books. Also one techniquebis to read the damn Bible, believe it or not (pun intended) outloud, and then ask questions of your kids about what they think it means. The text is full of contradictions and kids can pick up bull shit pretty fast. But I really do not envy you...you are in a direction and uncomfortable situation. Good luck

Put out applications - get another job - until then you can't say a word because you can't work for a church and then tell them that they're bat sh@t nuts. Once you get another job, you don't need to say anything - if you don't want to attend church services - don't. When it comes to your kids - don't tell them that what they believe is false - tell them that you came to believe that what you once had faith in doesn't work for you anymore and then let them make their own decisions. Live your life for you and if you're happy with where you are in your life - that's all that matters.

This book may help regarding religious messages about sexuality.

I would look for and get some books on this issue - I have read ideas that were stated much better and much clearer than what I could have done. Use a casual non - threatening manner to little by little introduce your ideas, like about Santa Clause, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, etc etc. These are charming stories that enhance our lives and add fun to them. Start suggesting that religion is also necessary but not really like the wealthy pastors want us to believe. There is a hilarious song by Hank Williams Jr that has a line,''. they say to give your money to the Lord but they give you their address '''. Slow and easy is my advice.

I guess I am the last person who should be answering as I never had a god ever - but at a humanistic level I realise your plight - I am really sorry that this is happening to you and this isnt advice and I don't know much about your culture, (I'm english), or your options, but would suggest that you move your family to a more accomodating State which could solve a few problems as children usually want to fit in wherever they are put. Moving would also mean meeting other children who have different ideas and ideals so might be one way to go.

With people outside your family, maybe there is nothing you can do, especially as you work for a church. with your family... you can be subversive. ask little questions designed to make them think, without coming out and saying "this is untrue." for example, you could ask "who created god?" or "find me six different translations of the bible and tell me something that is very different in each translation." someone should ask you "why are they so different? which one is right?" this will lead to a discussion of who wrote the bible. it may take a long time to chip away at the brainwashing but trying to do it fast will just bring up the defensive walls and it'll be harder to get through.

g

Not a fun place to be in and given your backstory, I'm not sure there is a good answer.

The most revealing story of de-conversion I have encountered is this link. . .

As for a therapist, Dr. Tarico has produced a series of videos that shows how and why so many are religious. Not sure it could help you but an interesting background.

I wish you luck.

This is a difficult situation. I found myself in a similar situation about 30 years ago. When I stopped believing in Moronism (oops, Mormonism), the church excommunicated me and took my wife's side, encouraging her to leave me. She took the children and disappeared. It was heartbreaking, and I often wondered if I would have been better off pretending to be a good Moron (oops, Mormon) for the sake of keeping my family intact. It was so painful, that I almost killed myself. However, I moved on, and was happy that I at least had my integrity intact.

So, I would suggest you use a great deal of tact and an increase in love toward your family before breaking the news that you are no longer a believer. You may want to test your spouse (and children) first, asking them hypothetical questions about which is more important -- family togetherness, even when beliefs differ, or destroying a family for the sake of religious unity.

Good luck, friend.

Take care of your family first before you try to share. It is important to keep your family safe and with a roof over your head. Work on getting a better job. The rest will work its way out.

Lots of advice here, I can only go with what happened to me. Honesty is the best policy with your kids. Dad was an atheist mum was not. He told me of his non-belief but added "This is what I think. Its not necessarily what you should think. You have to make up your own mind on such things and not let anyone else tell how you should think". I guess you know how that turned out.

I would like to suggest that you go slowly...review regularly, in your own mind, what you need and want for you and your family. This will most likely not be easy, as you have 5 different personalities in your own family...the word persuade and not control, comes to mind! And even that must be given with the freedom to come up with their truth...for themselves! Let your daily living define you...not your idealogy of any kind. Idealogy evolves out of study and living and I see that it is never finite...it keeps on evolving! Best of luck on this new journey!

Does, not believing in GOD make you a bad MOM or PERSON?
DOES, not believing in GOD keep you from making sure your children are fed, clothed, safe and protected from harm?
Does, not believing in GOD cause you to treat your fiends and family differently?
There is no proof that there is a GOD, and you cannot prove there is not a GOD because it is impossible to prove a negative.
Why is there only one GOD but so many different RELIGIONS teaching their way to worship a nonexistent DEITY.
Research the reasons why you have doubts, so you can explain your doubts and your position on RELIGION.
Your children have access to smart phones and computers. Tell them to look up any thing they have been told, avoiding the BIBLE. Because the BIBLE has been proven to be UNBELIEVABLE because of the way the BIBLE was translated.
RESEARCH with an open mind because there are too many odd people on the internet with unproven beliefs and advice.
TRUST your instincts.
TRUST your children.
Just make sure you have a believable answer for their questions.