I'm on the bus going home. I'm going this weekend to tell my parents I'm not a Christian. I'm glad that I have waited these couple of months because it has allowed me to get more used to the idea and to figure out more how it affects my life. I think this will allow me to be more calm when talking about it. I don't think I'll talk about atheism though, that seems like to much to drop in one weekend. I think I should just stick to issues like genocide and fearing God and imbalanced punishment to crime ratios. Oh, and maybe gay marriage. That was part of what let me out after all. I don't think I need to go into Mithras or Attis or anything either. My parents' faith doesn't need to be attacked, I just need to be clear that I no longer share it. It's going to be a very interesting weekend in any case. It's A's birthday celebration tonight. It's very unclear how or when to tell her. Maybe I should leave that to after Christmas. I don't want to wreck the season for her.
· · · Much later @ night · · ·
My parents are officially the Coolest People In The World™. I went to Kelsey's with them and broke the news over tea and they were very understanding. They said that they had been sort of expecting it, that they knew I had something to drop this weekend. We talked about worship music being manipulative and genocide being unloving and prayer filling social needs. We talked about heaven and how Christianity's ideas differ from the Bible's. We talked about being honest, and about taking emotionalism out of religion. They specifically stated that they don't want to support my decision per se, but they totally support my freedom to make that decision and are glad that I'm being honest with myself. Mom says I've "got my head on straight and my feet on the ground," so I'm fine. Dad says he'll tell A, after Christmas and slowly, which I think is weird, but...okay whatever. If he thinks he can make her understand, great. Dad also said he doesn't believe I'm going to hell, he thinks God will be proud of me for using my head and seeing through the bullshit. My dad is not the most orthodox Christian in the world. He said his theology is "shit happens, and God is good." Therefore, he refuses to pray for sick people. But he feels awe and respect towards God.
I could not ask for more understanding parents. I don't think they'll ditch, but they come awfully close most of the time. Quite the liberals. I love them so much, and I know they love me regardless.
<--sooner · later-->
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