Okay, first I'm gonna sound pretty cliche about this but please don't hate. About five years ago (March 31, 2009)I gave up on God. That day my best friend died, we were only 14 years old and we hung out pretty much every day. He was more like a brother than anything. The only problem is that I come from a family of strong Christian faith. My mother is a devout believer and my father's faith has recently been growing stronger. My sisters are about like my mom but me, I'm the black sheep in the family. I never officially told my folks, but I did stop going to church. On Easter my mom wanted me to go to church and I figured it was too much of a hassle to try and get out of it so I went. I couldn't help feeling like everyone there was wearing fake smiles and that they were all liars.
I feel like it's time to tell my family about me renouncing my faith in God. I just don't know how to tell them. I feel like it would lessen the blow if I told them that I was agnostic (which I kinda feel like I am). If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated and very helpful.

I don't know if I'd call myself Misguided Fool so much as a Questioning Young Adult, or maybe Enlightenment Seeker? ...your choice though I suppose. If you've seen any certain other posts of mine, you know I believe in God. I believe in God, but at times, I even forget it...because the truth is, God is so hard to conceptualize. But it is exactly that point that I want to express.
Personally, I have a problem with alot of churches too. But that doesn't, and infact can't, change how I think about God. There is good and bad in every 'Religion' but that is because maintained by humanity. For example: Most Christians eat pork where as Muslims do not, but the religion in that vein that preceeds both Judaism prohibits it. How is that? Judiasm forbids, then Christians are allowed it, then again, it is abolished? This is a direct result of 'Religion' and it may be this sort of issue that you are having such confusion. I personally don't eat pork, I also try not to eat too much red meats; the reason being, they're quite unhealthy for you and pork is especially unhealthy: http://draxe.com/why-you-should-avoid-pork/ Unfortunately, in this day and age, I have to avoid eating alot of things... Back to the exact topic though, Religion is something we follow because we believe in it. We believe it does us good, in whatever shape of form it brings us closer to the greatest importance of life and existence. I was raised in a Traditional Christian/Muslim family. I also take time to understand Judaism, Buddihism, and any other religion I come across, but that's just because it interests me. Honestly speaking, I feel really awakened when I read the religious texts, particularly the Quran, but that maybe just because I've read more of it... There's a quote that says something like, 'The destination falls short of the journey to get there' Faith is a journey, so make it one. Don't sell yourself short by never begining it.

And lastly, I want to share with you what I believe God is. God is the intention of this world. Good and bad, beauty and ugliness, are ways to describe either coincidence or conflict with that intention. Because I don't know everything, I seek out answers in religion. In the very end though, I am only myself that tries to see the truth in things...the intention. I believe in God, I believe that I am a part of the intention of this world, I seek out the intention and I wish to follow that intention as best I can.

Thanks to anyone who read all this, it's something I wish to share with everyone.

>>1 to me, religion is a very personal belief, I'm agnostic and I have my own personal beliefs about life but I don't preach them to anyone. It's okay to have a religion different from that of your parents, however, if they're the type who might hold it against you or be really saddened by it, then maybe just keep it to yourself until you're older. There isn't really anything wrong with that if you want to still have a nice relationship with your family.
However, if you think they'll understand, maybe not fully, but at least your reasoning behind it, then tell them. It maybe hard but I believe that you should go for it for the sake of just letting it become official and off of you chest.
I hope this helps. ^^

I had a topic like last night. And now i just don't know how to say things. Sometimes the things we believe in were influenced by the people around us. Well, my parents, relatives in my mother side are Christians. yeah, i was raised knowing the wonders of God which i really didn't understand before and still unable to picture it all now that i'm 18.

I doubt His existence several times, but always end in believing Him. God permits everything. Sorrow, bliss, pain, and many more. I don't know where I'm going with this. I believe in God by a little push of faith, i guess.

Religion won't do anything for you. It was created by humans. You could hate it, love it, believe it or despise it. But i really wish that you won't give up your faith just because of what you see in your church. Then again, It's up to you now, but it would be sad i. (For me though) Well, never mind me.

I guess it would be foolish of me if i say just talk to them. I know somehow it would be hard. You could refuse going to the church if they would ask you. I guess showing them that you don't want to would give them a hint and ask you, then you could say your reasons and renounce your faith.

>>1 I know the feeling. I'm pretty much in the same position as you. I'm in a really strong Christian family and I'm an Agnostic. I haven't told them that I'm not a Christian and am trying to keep it hidden from them. It's a pretty complicated situation but pretty much they don't really like me and if they found out I'm not a Christian it would just make them hate me more and start more fights and overall end badly for me.

I'm glad that you're choosing for yourself though instead of just believing what your parents do. The way I see it is that we are just unlucky and that there's not much we can do. For me I pretty much don't exist in the real world because I only really am truly me on the dollars and online. In rl I'm surrounded by Christians so there's not really anyone that will be able to understand me. One day, I'm hoping to be able to be myself in the real world though but that can't happen until I leave this life I currently have there.

As for what you should do I guess it depends on the kind of people your parents are. How understanding are they and how do they feel about you at the moment? If they're usually angry at you and disliking you then you probably shouldn't but if they don't seem to have a problem with you and will probably take it well then go ahead. Unfortunately, you have to make the call because only you fully know your situation. Let us know what happens.

Personally I do believe in God. I was born into a Christian family though oddly a Mexican family that attended a predominantly black church. I guess when people have their experiences with Christianity it's usually influenced by that particular environment, for me it's a rather warm and caring environment.
But before I go off topic, I would say just explain to your parents what you think, what you feel about God and religion, and hopefully you can handle it like adults. Of course if you want to tell them later that should be fine as long as they're understanding. But (and I really don't want to be biased but as I do believe in God I can't help saying it) I don't think losing a best friend should cause one to loose faith. People live, people die, it happens. Hell I witnessed a suicide last year but that didn't stop me from living or believing.
Still if you want to believe in God or not you must decide for yourself. I am a Christian not because my family was, or because others coerced me to be, I chose it for myself. I believe in God because I felt it in my heart that it was right. It's not the same answer for everyone else and that's fine. Don't feel afraid to talk about this by the way to others you trust, not always your family but other older people who might not have bias. I should also mention even people that are Christians that you'd might expect to just believe in God and that's it can surprise you with their own views and experiences. I knew a man at my church who actually was friends with Muslims and Hindus and took a lot of their philosophies as his own when viewing God and explaining him to others. IDK if you can find people like that you can be a little uplifted I think.

>>1 I say keep it to yourself. If they're gonna react badly, then you really have nothing to gain from them knowing. Faith is a personal matter, and you're not a kid anymore, but chances are they don't see it like that now. But they'll probably have to soon, and if you really want to, that's when you can tell them.

But I would advise against it while you're living under their roof.