I am an agnostic/atheist and I am in a serious relationship with a girl whose family is seasonally religious (aka Irish republicans who practice more around Christmas Easter and st. Patrick's day). I've never had any issue with people who have faith but I don't always feel comfortable when they try to include me in their religious ceremonies and traditions. It makes me feel as if I'm disrespecting their faith by going through the motions when I don't believe in it.
What advice would you have for someone in my situation? I love her and her family so leaving is no option and I dont want to upset them by refusing to participate in their holiday traditions but I also don't want them to feel I disrespected their faith when they eventually learn my beliefs( it's been 8 years of dropping less than subtle hints lol)
Austmov218 karma
Hello, Happy Holidays, and thanks for this ama.
I am an agnostic/atheist and I am in a serious relationship with a girl whose family is seasonally religious (aka Irish republicans who practice more around Christmas Easter and st. Patrick's day). I've never had any issue with people who have faith but I don't always feel comfortable when they try to include me in their religious ceremonies and traditions. It makes me feel as if I'm disrespecting their faith by going through the motions when I don't believe in it.
What advice would you have for someone in my situation? I love her and her family so leaving is no option and I dont want to upset them by refusing to participate in their holiday traditions but I also don't want them to feel I disrespected their faith when they eventually learn my beliefs( it's been 8 years of dropping less than subtle hints lol)
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