How do I talk to my Christian mom about my Atheism

[_Doc]

So my mom has had an "experience" where she felt "inner happiness" from listing to Christian music about year ago. And today she talked to me and my older brother (He is agnostic) about how she believes in god, heaven, hell, ect. She says that she doesn't know what me or him believe in but, doesn't want us to go to hell. So like the title says how can I explain to her that I don't believe in any god and I wont change to Christianity just so she can be happy without sounding like an ass.

[EquALLity]

Well, do you still live with/depend on her?
If you do, and you're not sure if she'll react positively, you might want to just wait until you are independent to tell her. She might secretly be an insane fundamentalist Christian, and you just don't know because you haven't really rocked the boat yet.

I think that whether or not she supports gay marriage is an indicator there. From my experience, people who are against something so trivial are likely all-around bigots.

If you pretty much know that she won't freak out, hm...
It sounds so cliche', but maybe have a heart to heart with her?
Sit her down, and be like, "Mom, I was thinking about what you were saying about religion, and... I have to be honest with you. I don't believe in any type of religious ideas; I'm an atheist. I really hope that that doesn't tarnish our relationship. I don't want you to worry about Hell... If I'm a good person, I shouldn't go there just because I'm a non-believer."

Since this sounds like quite a sensitive issue for her, obviously you shouldn't raise your voice/be aggressive in any way.

Also, does she force you to go to church, or partake in other religious events?

[_Doc]

Well, do you still live with/depend on her?

Yes I do live and depend on my parents for my college.

I think that whether or not she supports gay marriage is an indicator there. From my experience, people who are against something so trivial are likely all-around bigots.

Well before she went full Christian she said she didn't care what me or my brother were into she would still love us. However, now that she is a Christian I don't know. A day after same sex marriage got passed two homosexual men came to the door to tell us about it being passed. My mom wasn't home at the time but, when my dad told her she said "We should of called the police on them".

It sounds so cliche', but maybe have a heart to heart with her?

That maybe the way I will do it.

Also, does she force you to go to church, or partake in other religious events?

Only once when she first began to become a Christian she wanted me to read the bible listen to priest and basically brain wash myself. I told her I would "try". She later then told me to forget about it because I shouldn't be forced to believe in God.

[brimstoneSalad]

Well, do you still live with/depend on her?

Yes I do live and depend on my parents for my college.

In that case, you may want to leave it alone until you're finished, unless you have a marketable/hirable skill (which I would strongly suggest you cultivate either way if you don't yet).

EquALLity is nicer than I am.

I would make it very clear:

Mom, I am a good person, and I do not believe in a god.

If you believe I am an evil person and that I deserve to go to hell, then I no longer want you as my mother. No mother should believe that about her child.
If you believe I am a good person, but you choose to worship an evil god that sends good people to hell who don't deserve it, then you are an evil person, and I no longer want you to be my mother.

If you believe in a good god and can accept that I am a good person, then you will believe that as a good person I will go to heaven if there is one, and I am happy to accept you and love you as my mother.

You need to decide what you believe about me, I'll give you some time to think about it. I really hope you will continue to be my mother, because I love you, but I can't accept a mother who believes I am evil and thinks I deserve to go to hell, or who chooses to worship an evil god who would send me there despite my being a good person.

I think that whether or not she supports gay marriage is an indicator there. From my experience, people who are against something so trivial are likely all-around bigots.

You're right, that is a very good litmus test most of the time.

[_Doc]

Sit her down, and be like, "Mom, I was thinking about what you were saying about religion, and... I have to be honest with you. I don't believe in any type of religious ideas; I'm an atheist. I really hope that that doesn't tarnish our relationship. I don't want you to worry about Hell... If I'm a good person, I shouldn't go there just because I'm a non-believer."

I would make it very clear:

Mom, I am a good person, and I do not believe in a god. If you believe I am an evil person and that I deserve to go to hell, then I no longer want you as my mother. No mother should believe that about her child. If you believe I am a good person, but you choose to worship an evil god that sends good people to hell who don't deserve it, then you are an evil person, and I no longer want you to be my mother. If you believe in a good god and can accept that I am a good person, then you will believe that as a good person I will go to heaven if there is one, and I am happy to accept you and love you as my mother. You need to decide what you believe about me, I'll give you some time to think about it. I really hope you will continue to be my mother, because I love you, but I can't accept a mother who believes I am evil and thinks I deserve to go to hell, or who chooses to worship an evil god who would send me there despite my being a good person.

Thank you both. I feel like I will try and stay in between your methods. I have told her that I am Atheist and thankfully all she said was if I ever change my mind she will help me. It still irritated me but, I don't need that type of stress in this house right now. I will tell her how i feel about her belief once I finish being dependent on them. Or if she pushes religion onto me to much. If she so desires me to never speak to her again then so be it. I do have my dad on my side though so I can't worry to much. Once I do talk to her I will post what I said and the results.(Maybe in a while.)

[brimstoneSalad]

Hope it goes well for you Doc, and your mom lightens up about the hell belief.