That's really frustrating. There are few things more difficult than having our loved ones criticize our personal choices. Sorry you are struggling with that.

My cousin is very religious and tells me he is annoyed when his religious friend says, "God helps those who help themselves" because that isn't in the Bible. Yet my cousin very rarely helps himself, which is why I think he was annoyed with that saying. He lives in a one room apartment and his employer takes the rent of his pay, which is minimum wage and 26 hours a week. Every time some unpredictable problem presents itself, he says he's putting it all in Jesus's hands. Yet he seems absolutely terrified of death. (You'd think all this religious belief in Jesus and the afterlife would be comforting, but it doesn't seem to be.)

He also seems to rely on the charity and kindness of others, which is fine, I guess, but he always attributes that to Jesus. Which sort of pisses me off. If he would just try to emotionally accept the burden of some minor worry, he could maybe get his driver's license, get a better job (or another part time job), make more money, get a better place to live, etc. But he's 52 and he talks like even the most minor step in improving his life is something he is about to do tomorrow, maybe, if someone or something doesn't get in his way...and he always sees someone there, even when they are not.

I've seen humans invent gods for centuries. I have never seen actual work of a god or proof of anything defying the laws of physics. Physics seems real to me. Ancient stories made up by humans mostly don't.

This is really sad in the sence that your mom grew up in a different world where Religion was a lot more accepted without any questioning. Today however we have the internet which opens up enormous amounts of challenges for Religion. This form of indoctrination (Religion) is extremely hard to get rid of as we get older and it requires a completely open mind and heart void of any bias, ego and any form of self interest and also lots of rationality. Maybe try and question her on her own beliefs and maybe this will help her in some way to see what we see. Hope this helps...

Meh. My mom doesn't exactly LIKE my atheism either, but she doesn't push the issue, and neither do I. We each just privately hope that someday the other will see the light.

If your mom isn't pushy, then neither should you be. Just roll your eyes when she starts to pray - it's not like she can see you anyway.

Just make her happy and give her reasons from your own perspective.

Yes be nice to mom and keep sister sober.....the alleged gawds are always worthless....glad you escaped the religious delusions just in time for high school learning