I pretty much agree with all of this. Still don’t see what it has to do with intentionally and unnecessarily causing a family member distress.
Naw, I think there might be a few other terms that describe you better…
>Still don’t see what it has to do with intentionally and unnecessarily causing a family member distress.
Well, there are two discussions in play.
There’s the practical question of whether to tell Dad, and I think that hinges on whether there is some reason to.
As I understand, there’s also the discussion of whether being athiest is a point of embarrassment, and whether disapproving of it is the fault of the athiest or the disapprover, and whether these in particular are reasons not to tell people. Freddy the Pig brings these up.
Maybe it’s irritating having someone else pushing the OP to start believing in God or start believing water flows uphill. That’s a reason to tell Dad “I’m an athiest, and knock it off”. Maybe Dad is well meaning and beloved and would feel hurt, and that’s a reason not to tell. These seem legitimate points to weigh in either direction, and the choice doesn’t seem trivial.
But I read Freddy to be deciding more specifically whether embarrassment and being to blame for the disapproval are reasons not to tell, and deciding they aren’t. And then I read you to conclude Freddy’s position is inconsiderate and self-indulgent. The worst I can think about Freddy’s position is that, without weighing the possible hurt feelings of someone we may love, and without weighing any reasons in favor of telling, it isn’t enough to choose wisely whether to tell or not.
>Naw, I think there might be a few other terms that describe you better…
Good, good. I think it’s really healthy not to keep these things bottled up. But, if you put them in the Pit, I might miss them. Equally incredibly, I’m not in the habit of looking there.
No, he’s never said this kind of thing to me before, which is why I was surprised.
I don’t know if he’d try to convert me, but he and I have a somewhat difficult relationship. He’s very stubborn about some things (and I don’t know where he gets it from 
), and my worst-case scenario is that his… opinion? image? of me worsens (like I’m just running amok, morally speaking… I’m out of control!) and that he brings this topic up every time he talks to me.
I think I’m just not going to tell him.
I generally don’t say anything, because I believe it can be a liability, even if the person doesn’t let their disapproval show. People probably assume I’m religious because I go along to church with my family in the interests of harmony and because I like the people there.
My husband knows, but I would not tell my parents. They are fairly religious, even more so since my Dad’s recovery from a serious illness last year.
Then there a couple of people I don’t tell because they would, in the words of Aragorn “never stop hunting” me until I came back to Jesus.
Nope. Don’t tell anyone unless they ask. The worst thing about religion is evangelism. Please don’t be an evangelical atheist.
I wouldn’t say that merely stating that you’re an atheist is “evangelical” - unless you press the issue or criticize the other person for being religious.
If someone mentions that they are Christian, they aren’t being evangelical unless they make some further effort to convert you or say how wrong you are.
If he knows that, for a few years, you were the HOST of something called The Celebrity Death Pool as part of some Internet thingy called The Straight Dope, it may already be too late. 
Something for which you have my undying (at least so far) gratitude, by the way…
Count me with those who don’t see the point. I do a lot of things that would upset people who love me, but I don’t go around telling them “Hey, I know you don’t approve of this, but I think you should know in the interest of complete honesty that I don’t always wear my seatbelt. I also drink to excess sometimes with individuals you would consider unsavory, engage in bedroom practices that would bowl you over, and don’t floss, ever.”
Seriously, there are things you just don’t need to say. I’ll never outright tell my grandmother that I’m an atheist and break her poor little heart for no reason. I don’t feel the need to notify someone about every aspect on which we differ-- I didn’t like that jacket she got me three years ago for Christmas, but I’m not going to tell her that, either. To me there’s no difference. Unnecessary information.
I’m pretty sure my parents know. But neither of us say anything for the sake of familial harmony.
But if you did tell him, then maybe someday if you find religion, he could slaughter a fatted calf, and piss off your siblings. That’s the only plus I can think of.
I’d probably tell. Life is to short to spend it hiding parts of who you are from the people you care about. To me, that is not worth it.
I agree with the others–you certainly shouldn’t bring it up with him.
If he brings it up again, you can probably sidestep it by saying “I’m not religious.” As in:
Dad: I’d like to talk to you about your relationship with Jesus.
a35362: <chuckles> “Oh, Dad! You know I’m not religious.” <changes subject>
I almost never wish to discuss my personal religious beliefs. And since I don’t outwardly practice any religion, just saying “I’m not religious” has worked for me in a lot of situations.