Introduction to Why Come Out As An Atheist?
by Me

     I really enjoyed this essay because this is a problem I have yet to overcome.  I have most certainly limited my integrating abilities by hiding (not being completely honest about) my atheistic beliefs (or more correctly, non-beliefs) from my immediate family.   My close friends are well aware of my feelings and I haven't lost one over it yet.   My friendships are based in objective reality in the fact that I share values with my friends -- I have no friends based on the grounds of a God.  I suppose when the time comes when I have become completely independent of my family (I attend college now and still live at home), it will be easier to totally come clean.  I rationalize my Roman Catholic facade in the likely probability that I would not be welcome back home thus putting me in a large pickle concerning monetary support and housing -- and of course I would loose that love that a family can bring.  I think that is the largest fear I have.  I love every member of my family and I always will.  The problem is, my family believes that they love me because of an "ultimate love of God" or some bull like that.   If they find out that I am an atheist, they may feel that there is no love left.   "God hates a fool" (fool being the word meaning "atheist" in the Bible).

     Sorry for the emotional outpouring... here's the article.  I hope it makes as much since to you as it did to me and hopefully someday soon I can follow its advice.