Comments on: I Think I’m An Atheist

By: Mriana

Mriana — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:28:15 +0000

I’m 42 and the thought of telling my mother makes me feel sick, because I know exactly how she will react. Basically it would be on the level of the Inquisition, for I’ve had a small taste of it even when I just hint at it. She is a brutal Evangelical Fundie, esp when it comes to belief in her god. That and right now I need her help. If she knew, she would not only stop helping my sons and me, but basically disown us, while she and her friends continue to pound their religious views into us.

By: Polly

Polly — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:30:29 +0000

I’m careful to censor myself around my mother, but I let comments slip when visiting my father (parents are divorced).

Yesterday, at a kind of outdoor mall/shopping area he noted that there were plenty of people out shopping rather than in church. My response, surprisingly out loud: “Yeah, at least they’re getting something for their money, here.”

By: llewelly

llewelly — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:22:58 +0000

If she hasn’t been going to church for 6 months, I think her parents aren’t going to be shocked if they find out.

You’re assuming her parents are logical. I hadn’t been going to church for a year when I told my mother. She was horrified, and caused no end of trouble for me until I moved out some years later.

Most people are not logical.

By: Hugo

Hugo — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:22:46 +0000

Can I just say that the comments on those video’s made me all warm and fuzzy and I’m not sick anymore! )
Atheism is becoming a great community and current technology is letting us reach out to everyone, this is indeed a great time to be alive!
Also the atheists are supportive but still insist she finds out the details herself (people are not sleeping forever when they die ) while theists are either negative (granted only one) or fall back on “praying for you” and here’s an authority that says you gotta believe MY dogma!

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:15:08 +0000

If she hasn’t been going to church for 6 months, I think her parents aren’t going to be shocked if they find out.

This honestly made me laugh out loud. You know, though… that’s a serious point. Recall the guy that Hemant mentioned a few days ago who just came out to his wife. She wasn’t particularly surprised, and he said it was a great idea. I wonder if that would be the case with Jean?

It’s really hard for me to say, because I’ve grown up in a very secular household, and my dad gets a sort of… sadistic pleasure out of the fact that I’m an outspoken atheist, his own beliefs notwithstanding.

By: Beijingrrl

Beijingrrl — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:51:00 +0000

If she hasn’t been going to church for 6 months, I think her parents aren’t going to be shocked if they find out.

By: Sandra

Sandra — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:00:06 +0000

Rat Bastard, The link at the top of this article “Jean is 18″ takes you to her youtube channel. I left a few words of encouragement for her, some of the comments on the second video are from Christians but there are several atheists who are lending her support.

By: Becky

Becky — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:49:45 +0000

I agree… if she’s uncomfortable telling them right now, she shouldn’t. I’ve held agnostic views since age 17, and when I was 23, and identified as atheist is when I told my parents. I admire her for being so open about her religious doubts.

By: Qrazyqat

Qrazyqat — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:31:47 +0000

Yeah, I have to let folks know, and shouldn’t really have to tell them, that if you want to keep a secret or think you might want to keep a secret, maybe you shouldn’t do a public video and put it online.

By: FrodoSaves

FrodoSaves — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:11:52 +0000

Now, the tougher question: Should she tell the parental units?

She won’t need to if they watch YouTube.