Me vs. my Dad

[Zaverexus]

I had the same thing, but luckily my mom isn't very religious (as in we don't go to church but she believes in God) and she's pretty cool so it seemed like a minor disappointment but no big deal

 

[Intergalactic 5555]

Religion its like a penis in reality PLEASE dont Get it out in public and dont wave it about and shout about it but Most importantly Dont try and shove it down mine or anyone elses throat that pretty much sums up my view on religion tell him that it should work

 

[Alex06]

So I ask you, Escapist forum people: how should i proceed?

First of all: good for you. You're a brave guy to stand up to your parents and believe in what YOU believe. You'd be surprised (or maybe you wouldn't) how many people just suck it up their whole lives and never think for themselves. (not dissing religion per se here, just saying a lot of people never think what THEY believe) Be proud of your atheism. (e before i btw =p)

Now as for your parents, it sounds like your Dad is a pretty hardcore Christian and that he has some issues regarding the divorce re: you. It could be that he just wants to bring you up right and is frustrated about not having you to himself. Maybe he's worried about your Mum not bringing you up right or something. Just tell him that you love him and you always consider his opinions very importantly, but where it comes to religion you have your own mind.

I think if you do that he'll probably relax a bit. he's probably using the religion thing as a means to maintain a grip on you. Parents, especially divorced ones, find it really hard to let go of their kids.

Anyway, pop psychology over, welcome to the club!

PS: Have you read The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins? If you want some ammunition to back up your arguments with your Dad, this book is what you need.

The whole parents argument makes sense. And essentially, it's just like this novel I read a few weeks ago. I've had a friend or two in this kind of situation.

 

[Extra-Ordinary]

Look, every religion (and in this case, lack thereof) is gonna have holes. All of them have answers for everything; every (non)religion can explain how everything works. It's just that sometimes, those reasons aren't very good. So just try to reach an agreement where you don't try to convert him, and he doesn't try to, either. Because neither of you are going to win. If he persists, ignore him but DO NOT argue with him. Like I said, neither of you are going to win.

 

[manaman]

4) Welcome to Atheism, the water's lovely!

Not anymore. To many people are peeing in the waters, and it's awful crowded by all the people just lounging around cause they think it's the new cool hangout spot. Almost makes me ashamed to say I am atheist these days. I would rather say I just don't have faith there is a god.

I don't get it...
I don't know anyone who's an atheist because they think it's "cool"
And as for the first part, you're tying in anti-theists with atheists.

Anti-theist is the new cool hip rebellious thing. So many people shouting the same tired idiotic half baked arguments, and following up with "more people have died in the name of religion then war ever killed," not thinking for a second that those people still died in a war, and religion was just the excuse of the day, people would still be killing people in wars without religion, they would just find other excuses for it.

When I say atheist these days people have militant anti-theist in mind. That is what I wish to distance myself from. I just don't care enough in this case to try and correct people.

Because it's irrelevant and futile. People prejudge you on titles all the time. The best you'll ever be able to do is to clear it up later with your argumentation.

Distancing myself from the worst of the lot is a pretty good start on being able to clarify my position is it not?

 

[Glerken]

4) Welcome to Atheism, the water's lovely!

Not anymore. To many people are peeing in the waters, and it's awful crowded by all the people just lounging around cause they think it's the new cool hangout spot. Almost makes me ashamed to say I am atheist these days. I would rather say I just don't have faith there is a god.

I don't get it...
I don't know anyone who's an atheist because they think it's "cool"
And as for the first part, you're tying in anti-theists with atheists.

Anti-theist is the new cool hip rebellious thing. So many people shouting the same tired idiotic half baked arguments, and following up with "more people have died in the name of religion then war ever killed," not thinking for a second that those people still died in a war, and religion was just the excuse of the day, people would still be killing people in wars without religion, they would just find other excuses for it.

I think you're making the population of people who are doing these things just to be "cool" and "rebellious" much larger than it is. I know plenty of atheists, none of them are so because they're trying to be rebellious. I know people who are anti-theists, they aren't doing it to be rebellious, they're doing it because they're just not tolerant people.

To be honest,

Spoiler: this

is coming to my mind.