Out of the Closet Atheism

The True Scotsman · 29th January 2010, 02:03 PM

I just came out to my father about my atheism. He seemed disappointed, but didn't really want to discuss it at all. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Anyways, I'm glad it's finally off my chest (I've been contemplating doing this for about 2 weeks). It's definitely better being out of the closet than in.

I just felt like posting this for the sake of it, but if anyone else wants to talk about their experience coming out about their atheism to family, feel free.

IMST · 29th January 2010, 02:08 PM

Glad it went better than you expected. Decloseting's never fun (I've had to do it for two things) but it's just about always better to have it out there.

Piscivore · 29th January 2010, 03:15 PM

It's a shame it is so hard for some people. I'm competely open about it, if anyone is ever curious enough to ask.

The Norseman · 29th January 2010, 04:19 PM

Good on ya, Scotsman! Can you describe why you were dreading it? Care to share a little more background?

My de-closeting:
My dad's a second generation Lutheran pastor (just recently retired) and he seems cool with it when I finally admitted it to him a few months back. Of course, he's always been rather non-judgemental and laid back. Still, I was rather nervous.

barrymore · 29th January 2010, 05:16 PM

I tend to not talk about it, just because I do not like talking about these types of things in general unless it is with a close (logically-thinking) friend, or in this type of environment. I especially do not talk about with my father because we would just never discuss something like this.

I have talked about it with my mom briefly though. She is not the most religious person ever, but she has faithfully gone to Sunday mass for most of her life. To a slight surprise, she accepted my comments quite well and even expressed doubt herself. At the end of the day, the bonds with close friends & family should supersede any belief about religion, so it would be a shame if there was a crazy reaction either way.

quarky · 29th January 2010, 05:39 PM

Fortunately, my dad was a devout atheist and a chemist to boot.

Nevertheless, there was consternation when I told him about my plans for plastic surgery, and my desire for nostril extensions that would facilitate my innate urge to return to the aquatic life.

You just can't please everyone.

devnull · 29th January 2010, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by In My Spare Time

Glad it went better than you expected. Decloseting's never fun (I've had to do it for two things) but it's just about always better to have it out there.

wow, you're an atheist AND a Canadian?

The True Scotsman · 29th January 2010, 08:09 PM

The Norseman, the reason I dreaded it was 1) just the ambiguity of the situation grants a bit of nerves and 2) my father is somewhat rational, but at time, gets unreasonably angry at stupid things and is hard to calm down once he gets going. Basically, I dreaded it because I didn't know how my father would react.

Hux · 30th January 2010, 04:44 AM

If it isnt too obvious, Scottie, where are you from?

The True Scotsman · 30th January 2010, 09:56 AM

"I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world."

Just kidding, I'm actually from America.

(That's right, everyone, I am, in reality, not a true Scotsman.) :O

mikeyx · 30th January 2010, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by In My Spare Time

Glad it went better than you expected. Decloseting's never fun (I've had to do it for two things) but it's just about always better to have it out there.

different tack but Ive heard the same thing from a wiccan coming out to her catholic parents, I did the sam as a sufi to mine, protestant. Maybe not the same thing, but the anxiety was, it worked out.

jakesteele · 30th January 2010, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by The True Scotsman

I just came out to my father about my atheism. He seemed disappointed, but didn't really want to discuss it at all. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Anyways, I'm glad it's finally off my chest (I've been contemplating doing this for about 2 weeks). It's definitely better being out of the closet than in.

I just felt like posting this for the sake of it, but if anyone else wants to talk about their experience coming out about their atheism to family, feel free.

As hard as that was for you, just remember, you still have to pass the second phase of the test when you are under mortar attack in a foxhole and don't pray.

IMST · 30th January 2010, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by devnull

wow, you're an atheist AND a Canadian?

Nah, I'm still in the closet about that last bit:

Achán hiNidráne · 30th January 2010, 01:01 PM

At least you weren't told that you were a communist who should move to Cuba or China and that my "activities" should be monitored by the police.

Ron_Tomkins · 30th January 2010, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by The True Scotsman

I just came out to my father about my atheism. He seemed disappointed, but didn't really want to discuss it at all. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Anyways, I'm glad it's finally off my chest (I've been contemplating doing this for about 2 weeks). It's definitely better being out of the closet than in.

I just felt like posting this for the sake of it, but if anyone else wants to talk about their experience coming out about their atheism to family, feel free.

Hey, there there now old chum. It could have been worse. A lot worse

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I AGREE

IMST · 30th January 2010, 01:30 PM

Michael there is totally my hero. I'd love to know where he is now.

29th January 2010, 02:03 PM	#1
The True Scotsman Muse Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: In Great Birnam Wood, high on Dunsinane Hill Posts: 864	Out of the Closet Atheism I just came out to my father about my atheism. He seemed disappointed, but didn't really want to discuss it at all. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Anyways, I'm glad it's finally off my chest (I've been contemplating doing this for about 2 weeks). It's definitely better being out of the closet than in. I just felt like posting this for the sake of it, but if anyone else wants to talk about their experience coming out about their atheism to family, feel free.

29th January 2010, 02:08 PM	#2
IMST If Charlie Parker Was a Gunslinger, There'd Be a Whole Lot of Dead Copycats Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 6,130	Glad it went better than you expected. Decloseting's never fun (I've had to do it for two things) but it's just about always better to have it out there.
	__________________ Creativity is more than just being different. Anybody can plan weird; that's easy. What's hard is to be as simple as Bach. Making the simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. - Charles Mingus

29th January 2010, 03:15 PM	#3
Piscivore Smelling fishy Join Date: May 2004 Location: Home is wherever I'm with you Posts: 26,484	It's a shame it is so hard for some people. I'm competely open about it, if anyone is ever curious enough to ask.
	__________________ Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Take his fish away and tell him he's lucky just to be alive, and he'll figure out how to catch another one for you to take tomorrow. "...untrustworthy obnoxious twerp." - CFLarsen

29th January 2010, 04:19 PM	#4
The Norseman I Void Warranties Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Treasure Valley Posts: 3,242	Good on ya, Scotsman! Can you describe why you were dreading it? Care to share a little more background? My de-closeting: My dad's a second generation Lutheran pastor (just recently retired) and he seems cool with it when I finally admitted it to him a few months back. Of course, he's always been rather non-judgemental and laid back. Still, I was rather nervous.
	__________________ "I have always thought that a wild animal never looks so well as when some obstacle of pronounced durability is between us." "Sticking the flounce is the hardest move in forum gymnastics." -tsig

29th January 2010, 05:39 PM	#6
quarky Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20,454	Fortunately, my dad was a devout atheist and a chemist to boot. Nevertheless, there was consternation when I told him about my plans for plastic surgery, and my desire for nostril extensions that would facilitate my innate urge to return to the aquatic life. You just can't please everyone.
quarky Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20,454

29th January 2010, 05:16 PM	#5
barrymore Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NYC Posts: 267	I tend to not talk about it, just because I do not like talking about these types of things in general unless it is with a close (logically-thinking) friend, or in this type of environment. I especially do not talk about with my father because we would just never discuss something like this. I have talked about it with my mom briefly though. She is not the most religious person ever, but she has faithfully gone to Sunday mass for most of her life. To a slight surprise, she accepted my comments quite well and even expressed doubt herself. At the end of the day, the bonds with close friends & family should supersede any belief about religion, so it would be a shame if there was a crazy reaction either way.

29th January 2010, 06:54 PM	#7
devnull Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 4,533	Originally Posted by In My Spare Time Glad it went better than you expected. Decloseting's never fun (I've had to do it for two things) but it's just about always better to have it out there. wow, you're an atheist AND a Canadian?
	__________________ no, i don't think i need to read naturalistic literature more accurately, to be convinced its true. - Gibhor

29th January 2010, 08:09 PM	#8
The True Scotsman Muse Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: In Great Birnam Wood, high on Dunsinane Hill Posts: 864	The Norseman, the reason I dreaded it was 1) just the ambiguity of the situation grants a bit of nerves and 2) my father is somewhat rational, but at time, gets unreasonably angry at stupid things and is hard to calm down once he gets going. Basically, I dreaded it because I didn't know how my father would react.

30th January 2010, 04:44 AM	#9
Hux Graduate Poster Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,080	If it isnt too obvious, Scottie, where are you from?
Hux Graduate Poster Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,080	__________________ *...people of faith who are that intelligent they've only managed to fool themselves* - MARDUK

30th January 2010, 09:56 AM	#10
The True Scotsman Muse Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: In Great Birnam Wood, high on Dunsinane Hill Posts: 864	"I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world." Just kidding, I'm actually from America. (That's right, everyone, I am, in reality, not a true Scotsman.) :O
	Last edited by The True Scotsman; 30th January 2010 at 09:58 AM.

30th January 2010, 11:24 AM	#11
mikeyx Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 3,570	Originally Posted by In My Spare Time Glad it went better than you expected. Decloseting's never fun (I've had to do it for two things) but it's just about always better to have it out there. different tack but Ive heard the same thing from a wiccan coming out to her catholic parents, I did the sam as a sufi to mine, protestant. Maybe not the same thing, but the anxiety was, it worked out.
mikeyx Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 3,570

30th January 2010, 12:09 PM	#12
jakesteele Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,224	Originally Posted by The True Scotsman I just came out to my father about my atheism. He seemed disappointed, but didn't really want to discuss it at all. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Anyways, I'm glad it's finally off my chest (I've been contemplating doing this for about 2 weeks). It's definitely better being out of the closet than in. I just felt like posting this for the sake of it, but if anyone else wants to talk about their experience coming out about their atheism to family, feel free. As hard as that was for you, just remember, you still have to pass the second phase of the test when you are under mortar attack in a foxhole and don't pray.
	__________________ Occam’s Beard – The simplest solution isn’t always the best

30th January 2010, 12:47 PM	#13
IMST If Charlie Parker Was a Gunslinger, There'd Be a Whole Lot of Dead Copycats Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 6,130	Originally Posted by devnull wow, you're an atheist AND a Canadian? Nah, I'm still in the closet about that last bit:
	__________________ Creativity is more than just being different. Anybody can plan weird; that's easy. What's hard is to be as simple as Bach. Making the simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. - Charles Mingus

30th January 2010, 01:01 PM	#14
Achán hiNidráne Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Muskego, WI. Posts: 3,979	At least you weren't told that you were a communist who should move to Cuba or China and that my "activities" should be monitored by the police.
	__________________ "As the Corpse Lord knows, men today are ill-trained--ignoble: naught but wet anuses dribbling childish terrors and superstitions! Thus is knowledge--history, science, the world of the ancients--lost, never to be regained!" --M.A.R. Barker, "The Man of Gold" Last edited by Achán hiNidráne; 30th January 2010 at 01:03 PM.

30th January 2010, 01:30 PM	#16
IMST If Charlie Parker Was a Gunslinger, There'd Be a Whole Lot of Dead Copycats Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 6,130	Michael there is totally my hero. I'd love to know where he is now.
	__________________ Creativity is more than just being different. Anybody can plan weird; that's easy. What's hard is to be as simple as Bach. Making the simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. - Charles Mingus