You believe in the ten commandments don’t you?

Should I hurt someone with my beliefs?

There have been few instances in my relationship with my parents where my religious views have been explicitly questioned. They know I’m not totally into going to church, but they don’t realize the depths of my apostasy. I guess we’re all happier if we let that slide. But I do remember talking to my mom in the kitchen once as a teenager, and I must have been saying some controversial things. My mom asked the question in the title, and at the time, I didn’t feel like lying, so I said no. Apparently she didn’t push it and ended up putting it out of her mind. Nowadays I just don’t answer questions that nobody wants answers to.

Should I hurt someone with my beliefs? I struggle with this question. I don’t think I should have to hide who I am, but it is much easier for my family, and for me. And it doesn’t seem fair, because my parents beliefs hurt me. Because of who I am, their beliefs say I’m going to hell. I will be eternally punished for being who I am. Do they really believe I deserve that? I know this is just a coming out question, and seeing how hard it would be for me gives me enormous respect for people who do this, about their sexuality or whatever. I just don’t see the point. It causes everyone pain, and no discerneble good.

I guess, I would be pushing towards the day when religious people could accept non-religious people for who they are. But I think Protestant Christianity (for example) would have to change completely for that to be possible.