I feel your pain. I'm an ex-catholic and I get asked "Why are you so angry at god?" all the time. And I tell the "I'm not angry, I don't believe what you believe. My eye have been open." I usually try to avoid discussions on god and religion with them, but when it gets to much... I just tell them I love them and I leave. I don't leave with them for the same reason.

Wow. Do you really want to be valued the same as a person who believes in nonsense? Doesn't sound like they are the best bunch to hang with. What you do is find like-minded friends. Families are often the root of all our insecurities. Your sanity may hinge upon finding others who feel the same way you do. If your family makes religion a big deal then you could turn the table and ask them why they believe. Make them justify their beliefs. They won't like it and may leave you alone to avoid further confrontations. Or you could start dating a nice Jewish boy.

there blindness is there problem its sad they made it yours the path we have chosen is harder stand naked in this cold cruel world with out that warm fuzzy blanket of religion to comfort us does make life harder . your more valuable as a free thinking person to your self and the rest of the world meet some new people live your life as well as you can and git on with it

I grew up Catholic and had the dogma shoved down my throat. It wasn't until I was in my 40's that I finally abandoned it. Maybe you could suggest that you've been in their shoes and now maybe it's their turn to try on yours. Their refusal would certify their one-sided narrow mindedness.

I am sure that you understand the threat to their belief system that your atheism represents to them and how your change to non-belief makes them feel like failures as catholics, but, that is not your problem, you don't own it.
Your problem is their behaviour towards you, you need to confront it as strongly as possible. May I suggest you become a mirror to their behaviour, after all they are the "sad", "unfortunate" and "pathetic" ones.

Because you dare to remind them of their own doubts. You dare to challenge authority. You dare to scare them by being around you, they are possibly going to be punished also. You may lead them astray because no matter how much they claim to have a strong faith, their cognitive dissonance tells them that they may be wrong, which they are of course.

wow, I don't blame you. That would get old real quick ! Sorry you have to endure that from people that supposedly love you. Perhaps they feel threatened in some way ? Still - no excuse to treat you and your beliefs (or lack thereof) without respect.

A lot of times, religious people who react violently in the face of nonbelief do so because they're afraid. Your nonbelief could be making them question their own beliefs, and that can be horrifying for some people. To suddenly be forced to doubt what you've believed to be inscrutable you're entire life, is hard. Try to keep that in mind when your family shows disapproval of you. Perhaps they do so because your strength in your disbelief scares them.

Hope this helps.

Remind them God is love, and so they should love you. Not call you names.
That every time they do, it drives you away from God. If they all go five years without insulting and belittling you, you will consider your beliefs. That will get you five years, and them used to not harassing you.
In five years, ask what makes them believe in God, which doesn't also apply to superman. (Superman is a role-model to aspire to, there are books and movies saying he exists, his presence permeates popular culture. Heathens who prefer Marvel, The Avengers and Spiderman preach against him. People gather at conventions to praise him and discuss him.)

I have learned that what others think of me is none of my business. They are entitled to their thoughts BUT it does not mean they are true.

Ask them if they believe in love and when they answer in the affirmative ask them for there proof. Ask them to show you evidence that love exist and when they can't say nothing just get up and walk away.

Tell them if they want you to remain in their lives, then they need to put religion aside when you're present at family functions, meaning no more purposeless arguments or attempts to convert you. The same way you accept that they're staunch, practicing Catholics, they must also accept your lack of belief in the supernatural. Good luck!

The few times I have had to endure comments like that I just tell them that when I see "realistic" evidence (or any evidence for that matter) of an existence of a God, I will let them know. I also ask them which "God" are they referencing since there are thousands of "Gods" that people believe in
.

Just tell them you feel the same about them too.

Unfortunately you can't choose your family, but you can choose your friends. So choose to spend your time with those that accord you the respect that you deserve.

It is difficult when family members act condescending about ethereal beliefs. The master key to happiness is to accept that you can't change the minds or behaviors other people... even the ones you love.

I just don't discuss religion with my family members. I ton't see the pint of it. They think they are happy in their beliefs and if I did manage to rid them of their beliefs, they would no longer believe themselves to be happy. So, I don't see the point of discussing religion.

I think it's mostly fear that you know something that they don't.
You're onto the scam and you're not buying it like they are.
What if your non-belief makes them start to question their own beliefs?