Happy Atheist Forum

I'm an atheist with interests in Eastern philosophies.  I consider myself a seeker and a logical thinker.  My father is a Christian who recently, through a conversation with my brother, came to realize that my brother and I are non-theists.

Today I had my first conversation with my father about my lack of belief.  He told me that he's concerned that he'll spend eternity away from my brother and I.  I responded by telling him that I don't share the same concern because I don't believe in the supernatural.  We discussed the bible and what I interpret as contradictions, etc, etc.  The discourse was pretty bumpy and felt like I was speaking Russian and he was speaking an African clicking language of sorts   .  It frustrates me that I cannot convey the need for intellectual honesty.  

BD

My hope is simply that you and he can discuss this in a loving manner and not get to how some discussions get on here between Christian and Atheist.  I imagine he loves you very much and as silly as God and heaven are to you, to him they are reality.  His heart aches to think you are not a part of that.  I can imagine his pain.  Good luck.  

Your dad, being a Christian, doesn't have any biblical support for loved ones being together in some sort of afterlife.
Perhaps you could sort of smooth it over by telling him that by the time you die (hopefully long after him) you may have found his truth.

I can relate, Bill. My dad is a Lutheran pastor and we've had several conversations which revolve around my lack of religious belief (I'm out of the closet as an atheist), and it certainly can be bumpy. I think we're both very lucky, though, that our fathers didn't take a super hard line on the issue and let their emotions get the best of them. I've heard horror stories even here on HAF about people's experiences with their families regarding their lack of religious belief and it's heartbreaking.

Give it time. Over the last few years, conversations between my father and I about religion have gotten better and I think he's at least starting to understand why it is I don't believe what I don't believe.

I went through the same thing.

I heard it all.

At first it was hard, but its gotten easier overtime.

All, thank you for your responses.  It's nice to have this forum...

Quote from: "BillDugan"I'm an atheist with interests in Eastern philosophies.  I consider myself a seeker and a logical thinker.  My father is a Christian who recently, through a conversation with my brother, came to realize that my brother and I are non-theists.

Today I had my first conversation with my father about my lack of belief.  He told me that he's concerned that he'll spend eternity away from my brother and I.  I responded by telling him that I don't share the same concern because I don't believe in the supernatural.  We discussed the bible and what I interpret as contradictions, etc, etc.  The discourse was pretty bumpy and felt like I was speaking Russian and he was speaking an African clicking language of sorts   .  It frustrates me that I cannot convey the need for intellectual honesty.  

BD

I had a discussion with a believing member of my family recently as well. I proposed the claim that I could quite justifiably be upset by them worshipping a deity that would send me to hell for all eternity, for nothing immoral, but for not reciprocating the "love".

I understand your frustration. I try to remember that I am attempting to persuade rather than force my beliefs and lack of on my family. I would much rather they understood why I feel how I do than anything else. And that will come with time, and perhaps it will with you and your family to.

And welcome to Happy Atheist.

I suppose I have been very lucky in this regard. My mother is a theist, but she is very open-minded and more than happy to discuss and debate. My father is the one who has basically remained silent and allowed me to make up my own mind. All I can say is that regardless of beliefs, it's important to have people around who care for you and who you care for. My mom and I will never allow something as silly as an argument to detract from that. Keep this in mind and perhaps remind him of it too.

As long you're debating, you're keeping the communication channels open (which is good) and it keeps you thinking (which is good) and hopefully it will make him think a little too (which would be good).

Also, bare in mind there are some things that are "unprovable" and there are some things that are "impossible to disprove" - like the flying spaghetti monster. So when you find yourself getting stuck, move on. There's no point getting angry and shouting at each other over something like this.

Best of luck!   and let the games begin.