When my daughter was a little child, I set certain standards with my fundamentalist, evangelical parents. One of those things was no proselytizing by them or anyone else if my daughter was present, and no criticism of my lack of belief. Another was that my father couldn't drink or smoke in her presence (no drinking at all if she was in the house or expected that day). I explained that they were welcome to continue doing as they pleased, but they would do so without the company of their only grandchild. Remarkably, they managed to control their urge to indoctrinate her and Daddy managed not to drink or smoke around her. (I wish someone had loved me and my siblings enough to establish such rules when we were kids!)

My ex-husband's parents refused to consider such limits, so they didn't get to see her much at all after their son died when our daughter was 9.

I've been ignored by my parents a couple of times for expressing strong doubts/disapproval of accepted church doctrine.

I haven't been around any relatives since I completely dumped religion, since I've been in Thailand since 2010, but most of them are liberal United Methodists, who seldom attend church, if at all.

I have never severed relationships, but I've had relatives and what I thought were good friends that severed them because I'm a atheist. No worries though; their loss not mine.

Pretty much my entire extended family. Whatever, they’re kooks anyway.

I can't say I was ostracized, but I have a few relatives who I don't associate with by mutual agreement.

I avoid the overly religious. And am looked at strangely by many who find out I am no longer into god. I recently received a Valentine from a woman I grew up with, out of the clear blue. We aren't close. She and her whole family are super religious with 2 uncles who are priests. She wrote on the card that she, her sister and I should have lunch together soon. Strange. I'm afraid to respond, for fear they are setting up an exorcism for me.

Religion is only one of the many differences I have with my family, and despite many failed marriages, I am the only for even out to 3rd cousins who has ever divorced.

Happy to say I am the black sheep of the family...Not spoken them for 18 years and happy to continue that way...scary people