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So, during the covid lockdown we gave my 93yo mum a smartphone and hooked her up to fb and messenger so she could facetime her grandkids etc. Bad move. Today I got the third degree about all the atheist memes etc on my fb page. Fortunately my sis, also an atheist, but not "outed" to mum yet, interceded and left my mum with the idea that if she prays for me it won't matter. Normally I wouldn't give a damn but, I love my mum and she's 93. Nothing will change her religious beliefs, or her love for her kids 🙂

#religious #beliefs #Atheist #memes #kids
Cyklone 7 Oct 4
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15 comments

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1

Level 9

Next time you see her, she will put you over her knee and give you a good hiding.

1

Level 9

I had a friend of 50 years that died last month. Almost every time we visited she said I know you're an atheist but I know you're a good person and I pray for you every night when I go to bed. We both knew we couldn't change each other and there were so many other good things about our friendship.

2

Level 9

Nice move by your sister.

I have an aunt, whom i absolutely adore, and even though she knows I'm an atheist, she still asks me to pray for this, that, and the other thing.
I generally just go along with her. There is nothing to be gained from disagreeing with her.

It doesn't change who I am, and she's worth it to me.

1

Level 8

My mother is an 89 year old devout Christian. I have never and will never express my disbelief to her.
I'm comfortable with her praying for me.
That was a wise move your sister made.

Unity Level 8 Oct 5, 2020
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Thank you. She (my sis) is my secret weapon. 🙂
1

Level 10

Wow good for you

1

Level 7

That's why I have 2 FB pages... one for some of my family and some friends and one for my atheist and political friends. So much easier.

Leelu Level 7 Oct 4, 2020
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I did consider that, but ultmately decided I didn't want ti bother. 🙂
1

Level 9

OOOOOPS! Embarrassing, yes? (I can't wait for Christmas!)

Thanks 😉 I'm hoping she'll just back off and accept it, as she knows our relationship is more important than our beliefs.

@Cyklone I wish you well. Any chance she'll just forget?

@LucyLoohoo I had lunch with her and other siblings today and the subject didn't come up, so although there is no chance of her forgetting, I suspect she'll let it lie, mostly. 😄

@Cyklone Then, she's a wise woman. You don't reach her age without learning SOMETHING....
1

Level 8

I had family that I would humor so they could be comfortable in their delusions.
My Grandmother for example who died convinced that fire came from a substance called phlogiston.

The phlogiston theory is a superseded scientific theory that postulated the existence of a fire-like element called phlogiston (/flɒˈdʒɪstən, floʊ-, -ɒn/) is contained within combustible bodies and released during combustion.

Phlogiston was disproved in the 1830s.
I guess news traveled slowly in the old south.

All those ancient relatives are dead now.
As for the rest I have no reason to be less than blunt about anything.

Is this something to do with spontaneous combustion. ? I remember a few cases where burnt out bodies were found with no obvious source of the fire.

@Moravian No, they didn't have the theory of oxygen. So instead of rapid heat releasing oxidation causing fire they thought it was phlogiston. Like for all fire.
The spontaneous human combustion didn't become a big thing in the public consciousness until the 60's & 70's from sources like the Enquirer.

@K9Kohle789 Yea, they proved it with pig corpses on myth busters. It's called wicking and there's no mystery there anymore.

@K9Kohle789 The wick effect is the name given to the partial destruction of a human body by fire, when the clothing of the victim soaks up melted human fat and acts like the wick of a candle. The wick effect is a phenomenon that is found to occur under certain conditions, and has been thoroughly observed.

@Willow_Wisp bloody hell, I remember them telling us about that old theory in the '50s. Time does move slowly in the south. 😅
2

Level 7

I get it. I have kept my atheism hidden from my parents.

1

Level 9

I thought about tryign to change my parents beliefs whiel they were alive. I concluded that if I succeeded they would probably be very depressed, and if I didn't succeed, then it woudl drive a wedge between us.

I accepted long ago that there is zero chance of me changing her beliefs and like you, figured the pointless conflict wasn't worth it
2

Level 8

I know that you will not give her the idea that there will be any more grief on earth about this, but that she can continue to sort it out in heaven. Perhaps put in a word about your persistent good deeds.
It is not abuse to use someone's fantasy.

I agree. I think she's convinced she can sort things out then. 😉
1

Level 8

I’m glad that your sister managed to calm things somewhat. Hopefully your mum will be ok and your relationship will endure this. Best wishes.

She's a tough lady, she'll be okay, we just had to "manage" her disappointment. 😉
2

Level 9

I doubt you will change her at 93. In fact, I often believe that one of my religious friends is still a believer in loyalty to his beloved grandparents who meant so much to him. They are in heaven but where would they be if he stopped believing?

4

Level 8

She loves you and cares about you. That doesn't mean she's perfect. Cherish the fact that you still have her. You are fortunate.

3

Level 7

Shit like that happens. My mom is 94 and I disappoint her about my lack of religion ( we've never used the "A" word) and the fact that my kids never go to church.

twill Level 7 Oct 4, 2020
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