What is worse - for an atheist to go to church or for him to upset all his friends and family by telling them he doesn't believe?

Answer 1

Well if he's going to church he could learn something that's against his beliefs or for it. He could always keep that in the back of his mind. But to upset his family and friends I don't think its worth to tell them that. He also gets to spend time with them by going to church. He doesn't have to contribute in the church or anything like that. Right.

My answer would be telling his family that he doesn't believe. First of all, you have to have faith to believe Atheism in the first place. Personally I am not a fan of atheism because it is against my beliefs as a christian. And anyway, who would seriously believe their ancestors were really monkeys!!!! And all atheism is an excuse for not believing in a God.

Another Thought

As the question is worded "what is worse" then the answer would depend on the person.

An ethical person would not go anywhere or do anything that they do not personally believe in, unless they were doing it specifically to "save the feelings" of others.

Sometimes the imperative of honesty requires us to "stand up and be counted" no matter what the personal consequences. If the person in question feels they must do one (go to church and be a hypocrite) or the other (admit their beliefs and hurt their family) then maybe they haven't looked into other options.

For example: Don't do either. Find a way to excuse yourself for attending church without being too "in your face" about your beliefs. Saying you are not sure or looking into your spiritual options might work.

Answer:

"Worse" is not an adjective that can be applied to this question, these are simply to options in the spectrum of options open in this situation.

Going to church as an atheist is like attending a class in Fourier Transforms in a foreign language - a good chance to count bricks in the church wall. Atheists in churches will often spend time noticing who else in the building is there under duress. Often this number is quite significant.

"Coming out" is problem for the family (maybe) but may be welcomed by some relatives who are of the same opinion. Vegans and other folks with "contrary" views face all of the same problems. The major problem is that theist relatives may launch into extended programs to "save the sinner" spoiling everyone's fun and eventually driving the atheist(s) or moderates away.