How do I deal with a religious family as an atheist?

Know that you're personal religious path can be different than theirs and that they should respect that. If you live together, however, you may have to give up a few things if they feel it is disrespectful (for example, swearing against god or listening to certain music around the house) because for many religious people it may hurt the energy of the house, and they are doing you a favor by letting you live with them. If it becomes unbearable, you can always start a plan to move out. It can be a good day by day motivation. If you have access to it, consider therapy as a family if issues are stronger.

I am also an athiest. We have no right to push our beliefs, or lack of beliefs on anyone else. Just as most athiests dislike religious people pressing the issue, we should allow them to believe what they do. The most that will come of having a talk about it with them is an argument and you cannot point out rational theory that disproves a God because everything is one of God's miracles to them. Besides, I know a lot of people who are happy with their religion, just because we think it's ignorant, we have no right to disrupt their happiness.

Having a family that is religious when you are not can be very difficult, taxing, and hard to deal with. It often creates feelings of stress, isolation, or even low self esteem. Please know that you are not any less than they are for having differing beliefs. If your family is trying to start an arguement, or is picking a fight with you because of your beliefs, it is ok to distance yourself from the situation or express your discomfort. You are allowed to be clear with where you stand and support your decisions and still keep yourself away from harmful discussion with family. Similarily, do not try to instigate fights, and don't bash their beliefs. Both parties should try to be respectful. If you feel comfortable having conversations about it with your family, again, be respectful. Don't put yourself or them down for what they believe. I have, personally, had problems with this. It can be hard, and I felt very isolated when, in my own home, I felt as if I was looked down upon for not believing the same things my grandparents or parents did. But it is ok to have a different opinion, and it is ok to stand by that. Just know that, despite this, you should be respectful of both yourself and your family. Just be calm, and try to stay confident. I know how hard it can be, but know that it is ok to make your voice heard.

I personally have this issue, so I can speak from experience. Just be respectful, and most of the time they will be respectful in turn. If they try to push their religious beliefs on you, politely explain that you don't believe in that and that you're not interested in believing in it. Don't try to push atheism on your family, as that never helps. And if they don't know, just sit them down and tell them. Unless you're positive they'd disown you or something because of it, it shouldn't make a huge difference in your life, and you'll probably be glad you did it. Once again, just be respectful of their beliefs.

Ah, religious conflict! I do not this issue, but I have seen issues similar to this one. I do not know the religion on your family, but what they could do for you, the atheist, is to not force you into religion. They need to accept the fact that you do not believe the same way they do. Now, what you can do as an atheist living with a religious family is try to talk to them about your beliefs and express to them that church is not important to you and that you prefer that they understand that. I mean, we were put on this Earth to do as we please. This place is meant to be enjoyed and you should be able to believe what is suitable for you.

I can understand how you feel. It can be confusing and stressful to have to be around people with completely different beliefs to you. I would say that it is important to be respectful and understand that those views may be important to them. However, in the same way, you also deserve to be respected, no matter what your religious beliefs are. It is not fair for them to push or force their beliefs upon you. Stay strong and true to your beliefs. You have a right to believe in your own views, just like them. They do not have to agree with your beliefs, but it is important that they respect them.

I believe it is important to mindful that all of us have our beliefs, values, and views. That said, everyone is entitled to these things. While we may not always agree with someone else’s views, beliefs, or ways of living, I have found it most conducive to make every attempt to co-exist with people anyway. While we may not agree, we should make efforts to respect their differing choices. While we won’t necessarily adopt these differing opinions as our own, we can still attempt to empathize and keep an open mind. One person’s way of living is no less important than another’s. Keep an open mind, be emphatic, and try to stay neutral.

I don't have a very religious family but I am an atheist. When I am forced to participate in religious ceremonies I just go with it. If you are a minor I would recommend doing the same to avoid conflict. However, I'm your family's religious values are holding you back in any way, You could try talking to them. If you don't feel comfortable with that, then you could find someone else to talk to. If you aren't too affected by your family's religion, maybe try to think about it differently. You could consider the values the religion encourages and see if you agree with them. If the general ideas are reasonable, just focus more on the lessons than the "religious" part

It can be so incredibly difficult to be an only atheist in the family. And often times those children are unable to express that openly, because they face judgment and cannot be accepted by other family members. I personally have a religious family that doesn’t force its beliefs onto anybody, but does find it offensive when somebody labels themselves as an atheist. I suppose it has a lot to do with all the stigma around the word atheist, and all the negative connotations. So I simply don’t label myself as anything with my family, and don’t participate any religious discussions, but rather try to find a community of people who are similar to me elsewhere.

Let them know that you disagree with what they believe but you respect their right to believe it. It's like dealing with any other difference of opinion in a free society. When it comes to holidays and other such rituals, that's subjective and depends on your own comfort level. It's not inconsistent with atheism to show up at these events just to be with your family, but depending on your history with their religion, you may not want to and that's ok too. For instance I could never celebrate Passover with my Jewish family because I left that faith on the worst of terms. (So we save our celebrations for Thanksgiving.) But Christmas with my girlfriend's family is fine by me - there are no bad memories to overcome, and though her parents are Christian they don't expect us to join them at church. Bottom line, you don't have to be consistent. Just do what works for you and let them do what works for them.