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Growing up in the baptist cult. There was a time when I believed in the fairy tales. I even considered joining one of cults like mormon,catholic,methodist,jw. I finally saw the light. Now that I became an atheist has some happiest part of my life. However, I shouldn't have to hide my beliefs from the world. I come from a very religious family. I have an uncle and cousin who are pastors and female family member that believes the bs without any doubt. I would like to not hide my beliefs from anyone. Looking for some input about distancing myself from my family do to our beliefs. Should I distance myself my family and friends? Should I stay a closet atheist? I know if I told them it would not go well. Plus, if I told them I was gay that would not go well either. I'm glad I did away with religion. I shouldn't have to feel ashamed of my beliefs or sexaulity. I hope to hear alot from our community about it.

freedom41 9 May 9
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9 comments

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I'd have a really hard time in your position as I challenge anyones beleifs of political standpoint. Why? well I want to learn from them. If someone can give me a rational argument why I'm wrong I'm more than open to changing my opinion, if they try and cloud the issue with religious nonsense and doctrine I'm more than likely to scoff at heir lack of judgement.

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My opinion is that all your friends and close associates should be adjudicated by approximately the same standards, blood family included.
Family puts you into proximity with people that serendipity probably wouldn't, but beyond that they should be at the same standard level as anyone else if you are going to be hanging out or any other close associations. Three strikes and they're out. See ya later, don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
We are all alone in this existence we call life, making the best and most of it that we can, and if we are willing to share any of our time here with anyone else, it should be because they are adding to and enriching our experience, not detracting. And so it is.

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I have never abandoned family over their or my beliefs. My sister and I are the only Atheists in my close family. When I was married, it was never a problem with the in-laws. I don’t go around making a big deal of my non belief, and I don’t make a big deal about their chosen belief. Kind of like the last couple of decades of my Dad’s life. He was a staunch Republican, me a progressive Liberal. When we were together, we just didn’t talk politics. Or, if he went on a rant against Obama, I just let it go off and then we went back to other subject. If you can accept your chosen path without waving it like a flag in everyone’s face, they should be able to deal with it if they love you. If they can’t, just limit the time spent with the family members who are most hateful, and keep the door to communication open to those who are trying to understand. And don’t make it a crusade for your lifestyle, while not denying who you are. Just be the better person.

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I think that it is important to be who you have defined yourself as being. If you don't then how do you live your life fully and openly. Sometimes family cannot be defined by blood ties, but rather by the closest of friends. I am very lucky to have the friends that I have. I am different than my family of origin.
I have a lot of gay friends and the ones that have been able to come out and find their community are the happiest. My heart breaks for those that can't.
Be good to yourself and also be true to yourself

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I think you need to take care of you first, and if that means distancing, and/or eventually cutting ties with family, so be it.

As someone who distanced himself from his mother completely & no longer talks to her, it ducked to do but I AM happier now that the toxicity is out of my life. Just because someone is family, it doesn't mean you owe it to then to keep them in your life.i pushed away then let my mom back in, and each time nothing changed so I had to do it for good.

My advice would be to tell them you're who you are, and prepare for the worst, which could be you cutting them out of your life completely if it comes to it. If they are respectful and seem to take it in stride, let it be for a bit & see how they treat you going forward... if they get ugly, berate your beliefs,make snide remarks, or somehow treat you worse gradually over time, just walk away, though as it may be. You are in control of your life, no one else. If they can't handle your journey through it, its their loss more than yours.

Thank you for the advice. I have already distance myself from family somewhat. I'm 95% sure they won't except my new beliefs or sexaulity. I haven't talked to my mom but once since I became and an atheist. She would be the most toxic about new ways than anyone else.

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Being Born is something you have control of be it your sex, culture, nationality,religious denomination or financial status. The rest is a fight for the remaining years is to be content and happy in understanding it all. Those who accept it without question really don't understand themselves or challenge their potential to talk with others and develop themselves beyond what they so reluctantly accept.

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I also grew up as a Baptist, but probably didn’t accept that faith to the extent that you seem to have. I was very angry toward churches for a long time, but at this stage I am trying to just live and let live—can’t turn away from friends and family over theological issues. Ultimately no one really knows anything.

IMO it is possible to throw out the bath water and keep the baby. The baby consists of deep reverence for the mysteries of reality. There are a few churches that foster such.

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I say just be yourself, and don't try to hide anything, but also don't bring anything up unless confronted, then just casually mention your stance-either about religion or being gay, and if people start to condemn you or argue about it, just look bored and repeat, "I don't believe in that," and immediately change the subject.

If they persist, just look indifferent, murmur "Um, hum.." in a distracted manner, and immediately wander out of the room. Do this each time you're attacked and you will soon train people to leave you alone.

If someone actually seems to be curious, just show them this video:

The REAL Truth About Religion And Its Origins

I"m thinking about making the big announcements on Facebook and see were it goes from there. I haven't worked up the courage to do so.

@freedom41 I did that, and there was no pushback, since the Facebook friends I still have left (after I defriended all those who kept posting hate memes) tend to ignore politics and religion.

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I just want to stop and note your use of the word "cult."

I have recently been (mentally) comparing our ways of speaking of different belief systems:

Greek Myths.
Norse Myths.
Roman Myths (related to Greek, mind).
Indian Myth🕙s.

We, linguistically, refer to all beliefs as myth BUT christianity... which empowers christianity over the others. I propose th at we refer to christianity as a myth, just like the others... not as an attack but to level the playing field of ALL belief system... in a similar way, we could refer to Atheism as the myth that the universe is supported by no god or myt hos.

It dawns on me that Judaism, Confuscian, Islam, etc, need to be in this bucket too... ie: I think I was wrong in singling out christianity as the only one referred to this way.

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