Hollow, if it's too hard to just out it all at once, then don't. Grow into who you are naturally, learn to live your life and embrace yourself as you are. Doing these things will give you the strength to walk your walk and talk your talk...in time. And once you are confident in yourself, you won't need affirmation from anyone, not even your own parents. Hugs to you Hollow. Glad you are here.

Just so you know, my dad was singular but in the reverse. He was a flaming Atheist and my mom a cultural Jew. If I ever came home and told them I'd found religion (I never did btw, it's not in me), my dad would be characteristically disgusted and spew forth his favorite term 'BULLSHIT!'.

When parents close the door to their own child's growth, it's hurtful but you can be respectful and grow anyway, even apart from them if you have to.

Thank you all for your answers, glad to have found this community

Like several other commenters, I'd highly recommend you wait a bit. Probably at least wait until you've left their home for college or your first job.

Meanwhile, do what you can to still learn about her form of Christian religion at the same time as expanding your knowledge of other religions and, of course, the wonderful variety of systems of non-belief. If she requires it, you can still be a perfectly good non-theist and go to church. Best advice I heard on that line was to treat going to church like a zoo or a museum; you don't have to love the experience, but you can still learn more about people's wild ideas in their natural habitat.

But at the same time, do as much as possible to expand your social group to include more people who don't believe. For now, skip the ones who are angsty or actively rebelious about religion (I had several acquaintences like that in HS and they weren't worth hanging around as people irrespective of their irreligious stance), and find the ones who are thoughtful, moral, have a sense of earthly purpose, and actively pursue life goals.

Also, be empathetic for your mom's emotional state, and keep in mind how difficult a situation religious parents face when their children leave. Religion tells people that to leave it is to betray g-d and the group. So, a parent can feel that their child has betrayed them. Religion tells parents that it is their job to keep their child in the religion. So, a parent often feals like a failure when their child leaves. Religion also slanders the irreligious as immoral, even dangerous. So, a parent will often fear for their child's safety outside of the walls of the religious institutions. All of these (and more) terrible emotional baggages could be lingering in your mother's mind, and it can take time for her to deal with them.

Show your mother love, success in your efforts, and good behavor in you general life-style, and religious fears that she may have can be undercut by your true behavior.

Do you really need to tell them? Maybe they haven't accepted that you're at an age where you're thinking for yourself and finding your own path in life. Eventually they will have to accept that - unless you need to force the issue, time will probably do the job for you.

I just told my family I became an atheist. Some don't talk to me now. Some family do talk to me now.

There is no way to talk rationally with those who do not acknowledge logic and reasoning.

I checked your profile and did see that you are still in H.S.
I will have to admit, that I pretty much knew I was an Atheist before I even knew the word for it at a very young age.
I also knew I had to "fake it", for any lack of a better word, as my mother was of a very extreme nature on the subject.
You know your parents better than anyone. But you may need to get to the point self sufficiency first before you speak t them.
You are still in school and I admire your will, but there have been kids kicked onto the streets for things like this.
A strong will is priceless and something cherished, but it also so worthless it won't buy you a sandwich or a place out of the rain.

This can wait until you have found a place of your own.

Until then. Seek out places and people like this.

I believe it went like this for me, after it was brought up one day:

"Oh, (lol) I'm an atheist."

I was out of school and supporting myself, though, before I had that discussion with my parents.

[lifeaftergod.org]

Why bring it up at all? If they choose to think you are confused, they obviously don't wish to try and argue you "out of it". You have not been asked to convert them either. Mutual respect & keeping your mouth shut will go a long way here...atheists are Not mormon missionaries!

Don't worry, it is bound to happen one way or another

I ws told a long time ago in a therapy session that you only need one more no than the other psersons yes'es. I suppose to it all depends how much your mother would be really upset if you left the faith - Would you still be her son etc. Ou could write her a letter to say Mum I love you and always will and I don't share your beliefs and I am happy with my life and happy that yoyure happy with yours. The written word lasts longer and is also a gift written down on paper.It means you made the effort to reach out to her.

Some times they just never except it. My parents know how I feel but always tell me that it just a phase or God will bring me back in time. I figure if it keeps them happy, I just don't care.

My parents passed away in 2008 and I didn't fully decide to dump all Christianity until last year, when I read the Sumerian texts.

I can only suggest you state your stance calmly and firmly, and keep repeating it every time your mother tries to tell you how you "really" feel. Keep it up until she gives up.

Another tactic that works well, and can be used concurrently, is to look at her and pay attention to her only when she is respecting you. If she starts to upbraid or tell you you're mistaken, quietly state your position, then look at your watch and say something like, "Look at the time! Love you! Gotta go!" And then LEAVE.

Only smile, look at her, and show postive response if she is being kind and accepting toward you. Otherwise, you're distracted and busy.

This will work within two weeks, tops. I once trained my parents to stop accusing my kids every time we came over, by doing this. It only took a few times before my mom started shushing my dad whenever he started in.

Yeah - avoid having the conversation it's as simple as that.

I met with the mormon missionaries on my local campus. My mom freaked out about that so much that everything else I did was a relief.

When I was 13 years old, I went through a "hot topic" phase... I was visiting Dayton Ohio at the time where all of my family resides .. my father's side of the family is Very religious and I thought it would be funny at the time to fuck with them and talk to them about satanism (although I didnt actually believe in satanism) it was just fun (at the time) to fuck with them.... well apparently it Really pissed them off and they actually disowned me. Lmfao. They told me I wasn't welcome to their house anymore and told me to never come back unless I welcomed jesus into my heart or some stupid ass shit... so... that was a fun experience at 13 years old.... it definitely impacted me at how ridiculous religion was... my mother was so mad at me though lol but I'm glad that happened because my dad's side of the family wanted me to go to jesus camp LMFAO NO THANK YOU

Street Epistomology
Don't tell them why you are not Christian, instead ask them what compells them to be one.
If you do this well enough a few times they will figure it out

My folks made me go to church as a kid. I didn't buy it from an early age. I just told my mom I thought it was idiotic. She was upset but we agreed that I would go until I made my confirmation but after that, adios. I have not been back to church except for weddings and funerals since. My mom still shakes her head when I mention something about my atheism ?

I wrote a letter to them tha told them that I was both gay and an atheist. Of course that was in the early 1980's before email.

Mum I am confused at this point of time when I understand religion I will consider it back for the time being I am free of religion

All atheists so not an issue

I denounced my belief in god at 16. Its obvious you have a good healthy relationship with your mom. I didn't. Try to sit down and talk to your mom. Good luck.

Family stuff can sometimes be like politics, using diplomacy is the best way to avoid unnecessary conflicts, especially that the subjects of faith cannot be discussed with reason, that would be ironically paradoxal ?