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(#1 (permalink))
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just me.
Not a n00b
** 
Name: Paige
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Location: USA
Posts: 55
Join Date: April 2nd 2011
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Family Pressure -
April 3rd 2011, 01:13 AM
My whole family consists of very devout Catholics. One of my aunts is a nun - another started a Caholic website for teens. I, on tthe other hand, am an atheist. I don't believe in any higher power whatsoever. I have no issues with people that do; it's just their belief. But I cannot bring myself to tell my family that I don't believe in what they do. They'll all be extremely disappointed in me. In addition, I'm already depressed to the point of suicidal thoughts, so having one more thing on my shoulders isn't helping at all. But I don't think lying to them is the way to go, either. Can anyone give me some advice? I'm lost, hurt, and confused.
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(#2 (permalink))
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Legal Beagle
I've been here a while
******** 
Name: Dave
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Location: UK
Posts: 1,658
Join Date: February 14th 2010
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Re: Family Pressure -
April 3rd 2011, 10:36 AM
Although I am still a practising Catholic, I can see how difficult your position is so hopefully some of what I say will be useful to you. Much as it may well be difficult to tell them that you don't share their beliefs, in the long run it is better for you if you do so - they may be disappointed, but at the same time they may be equally if not more disappointed if you tell them at a later date and they feel you have been lying to them in the meantime. More importantly, however, it will be more beneficial for your state of mind if you tell them because otherwise you'll be forced to live in a way you don't want to and that will probably make things worse. Being true to yourself is probably the most important thing in life so you need to give that full consideration. As far as actually telling them goes, I would say that provided you can explain to them why you don't believe in a calm and rational manner, and avoid turning it into an argument (which it doesn't sound like you'd want to anyway), then you may well find it goes better than expected. For more specific advice on how to go about that I'd recommend speaking to our resident atheists and agnostics who will be better equipped than I to help (and I happily defer to their greater knowledge on this), but if you want to talk about anything feel free to PM.
Hope some of that helps and take care. 
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
However bleak things seem, however insurmountable the darkness appears, remember that you have worth and nothing can take that away. Quote:
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