Most people and most families are religious to one degree or another. As a result, most atheists will at some point have to contend with close family members who are religious and don't share that atheism. Sometimes, family members can be very devoutly religious and object to atheism and atheists, especially within the family.
As a consequence, all sorts of difficult situations can arise which can make relations between atheist and theist family memberrs very difficult. If you find yourself in such situations, you have to proceed carefully because a wrong move can damage your relationship with your family for years, if not decades. There is probably no one "best" way to act, in particular because each situation is as different as each family; nevertheless, below are some common problems and some possible responses.
I'm having doubts about religion, but my family is very devout. What do I do?
Questioning a religion you have grown up with and to which your family continues to adhere
can be a very difficult thing to face. Contemplating the possibility that you might abandon
your family's religion can be even more daunting.
How do I reveal my atheism to my family?
So, you've decided that you cannot rationally or reasonably continue with the religion which you have always been involved in and which your family continues to belong to. Now what?
My family is very upset with me because I am an atheist — what do I do?
You've told your family that you are an atheist, but like many families, they aren't reacting well and things are going badly for you. Figuring out what to do next is very difficult.
My family thinks that I'll be a bad influence on family members — what do I do?
One problem faced by many atheists whose families object to atheism is the idea that you
may be a bad influence on others in the family, particularly younger siblings, nieces,
nephews, etc.
My family says that I am "just going through a phase." How can I get them to take me seriously?
This assumes that the atheist isn't "serious" about atheism — that the atheist hasn't really given a lot of thought to what atheism (and, by implication, theism and religion) means or entails.
My family wants me to keep going to church, even though I don't believe anymore. What do I do?
Although this is a situation which affects young people living at home more than adults, atheists of all ages still have to contend with religious families who want you to maintain the outward appearance of religiosity and pretend as if you were still religious.
My family wants me to hide my atheism from others. Should I?
Atheists of all ages still have to contend with religious families who want you to maintain the outward appearance of religiosity, asking you to hide what you really think and act as though you were still a theist.
My family keeps trying to re-convert me. What should I do?
Although this seems to happen more often with young people living at home than adults, atheists of all ages can still face religious families who want you to "return to the fold" - to renounce your atheism and become once again a religious theist like themselves.
