NO

If I didn't already know that my family would still love and support me as they do, I would not tell them. Assuming I would not have to attend services, I'd keep it to myself.

Definitely not . What reason would I have to tell them anyway?

"COMING OUT"? do they bother you about your beliefs or are you just feeling rebellious? I feel strongly that my beliefs, or lack of them, are Nobody's business & that is what I would state if asked.

I've come out to family members as an Agnostic. They have accepted my decision (sarcasm), THOUGH one nephew has told me that I am going to hell because I've TURNED AWAY from God. I'm compelled to be honest. I don't expect my family to completely accept me, they are arrogant and will not change. I'm hoping to reach some "middle ground" with them. Oh, there is one more thing that complicates this situation, I have been in and out of psychotherapy for decades and my response to my family's behavior has not always been the best. I believe that life is a continuing project, so I continue to work on the relationships with family members.

Yes, every time. Never change yourself to please others, it's damaging to your psychology as is worrying about whether you should or shouldn't. The fact that you're asking means you want to but are scared and are bottling it up. Thats not healthy. Get it off your chest and if your life changes it will never be for the worst

Probably not, but fortunately I did not have to deal with that as there are more A-theists in my family than theists.

Yep. It is the Risk I will take to avoid Losing myself because being me is Worth the Risk.

You won't lose anyone who really cares about you, but they may try to "save" your "soul." I could live without that.

The thought of losing the dramas that come with some family members actually seems very appealing. However, soem family members are rational. So, Probably not if I lost the rational ones. I am totally out as an atheist. My attitude is if any family members disowned me, than good riddance. I doubt they woudl be there for me if I ever needed them anyway.

At this point, I would do just about anything to get rid of them

Yes, and I did just that over 60 years ago.

Unfortunately, many Mormons, Scientologists and Jehovah’s Witnesses struggle with the same question. I think being honest with yourself is most important. I personally don’t mind standing alone in any circumstance where I’m challenged to defend my convictions. I totally understand why many would rather hide who they are, but I have one question to ask them. If your family and friends love you, why not give them the chance to love the real you? The more people who come out, the more acceptable it will become to do so. Those who can, should, so that those who can’t, may someday be able to.

Absolutely, they wouldn't really be family if that were the case.

I don't know. Fortunately, I've never been in this position, because by the time I mentioned my atheism, I pretty much knew that my entire family was either atheist or didn't care.

For some people, labels mean everything. Saying you are an Atheist will sound different to them than if you say you no longer accept the Bible as science or history, you no longer wish to associated with the people who want a pedophile for president and a vice president who calls his wife "mother."

Absolutely, anyone who would turn their backs on me isn't worth having in my life. I've tolerated their beliefs, they owe me the same consideration.

Then they wouldn't be true family and friends in my eyes. If they are gonna cut ties with me over rather benign ideological differences, then fuck em. I have plenty of family and friends that span the spectrum of belief, but I still am able to get along with them because that one aspect of their life does not entirely define them. These people don't care about you if they are willing to cut ties with you over a non-belief in some deity, they care about their own image and reputation with others. I've seen many parents and folks pull this crap where they are afraid of the judgment of their peers if said peers found out their kids or friends were atheist. You're not part of the herd, therefore there is something wrong with you.

Interesting I don’t hv that problem bcuz I lived in bigger cities. I noticed most in this group live in small town America.

Yes if you lose friends then they where never really friends. If you lose family then the don’t truly love you.

I would imagine is similar to those who come out as gay to their family some are accepting others are not.

Sure, I would. If my family couldn't take me for who I am...they weren't really family to begin with. Family in theory is supposed to be tight knit groups, that build you up, and accept your faults etc, because they're your family haha. But if I lost everyone I'd rather be true to myself, than lie to keep bad company.

I nealy have anyway but it has nothing to do with my beliefs

been there done that

Hmmm I only came out to my immediate and closest family members. I had very mixed results. None disowned me, though some that I did not tell probaby would. At worst they thought less of me as a person, at best they didn't care. It is clear that I'm a much better person than the ones that thought less of me. I stopped trying to prove myself to them because I know that they are the ones with issues, not me. But if I had a bad feeling about telling anyone then I could probably see myself keeping quiet (I don't think I could do that forever) or start by asking them what they think about atheists and try to correct them if something they say is inaccurate, then if that worked, I'd tell them.