Hahaha, that would be interesting.

I don't know, they're pretty open-minded religiously, only thing is my ma is like real Italian and doesn't particularly understand how someone can not believe in Christ. I might try telling them I'm like joining an Opus Dei cult or something and then when they freak out just be like "Just kidding! There is no god! Lolololololololol!!!!1!" That could work. Thanks.

Welcome to the forum!

I think your chances of breaking the news to them without getting stuck in a "long and uncomfortable debate" are pretty low. I think I would just be polite and honest and hope for the best. Of course, it depends on how open-minded your parents are...

Hehe, that's also how I came to the forums. After watching the nightline debate. Sorry that I can't say much to help your situation. I am 15 myself and my parents don't know I'm an atheist either(at least I think they don't know), not that it matters much, since we don't go to church or practice any rituals and shit.

In all honesty none of us are your shrink nor do we know your parents, only you can guage the situation. I would say once they know, dont push it, let them come to terms with it over time.

My mom, when she found out treated it like a phase, she now knows it is not. But that acceptance took time and I didn't push it.

.. that has not already been said or alluded to by the others here, but I think A_nony_mouse has it right so long as going to church and saying nothing causes you absolutely no agitation. Atheism is only treated as a lifestyle choice similar to, say, homosexuality because it is historically taboo, not because it is some kind of path altering epiphany into uncharted human psychology. However, I will hold that you shouldn't go along with rituals or habits that make you feel guilty, uncomfortable, or even bored just to keep the family smiling. If an argument were to follow, it would be an important one, not to be put off for the sake of an insincere facade. As for the argument, pay attention to the motives of your parents, and do not yell or match the level of their anxiety if you can. If the argument goes somewhere like "don't you love us, or didn't we raise you right, or I don't want you to go to hell" and so on, basically arguments with an emotional (especially guilty) appeal, just remind them that you can still love them, and that you're no different than who you've always been, your choice is not out of spite and you are the master of your own choices. I would say even thank them for their concern and efforts, and reassure them that you know they're doing what they think is right, but you are doing the same for yourself, and the cohesion and peace the family has is not compromised because of that choice. Of course, only say this if that is true, if you're doing it out of spite then say that, but it doesn't sounds like it.

a negative response to "coming out" is a reaction out of fear, which is a reaction that has been very carefully designed by the religion that they hold to maintain loyalty, otherwise believers would wander off willy nilly at the first sign of contradictions. So just soothe them and over time they should observe that you are just fine, and the same person, and their fear will subside. That's my long winded advice.

Important question, probably the only question really that has any weight.

If it is important to tell them, then tell them. I suggest using less words as opposed to more.
If it is important that you do not act in a way that is against your belief system (going to church) then tell them when they ask you to go to church.
If you just want to be honest, then tell them if they ask you or if it comes up for some reason.

Good luck boyo.

 You pretty much listed my main reasons. 

No problem. I understand completely. It really sucks having that feeling in your chest being in a crowd and knowing everyone assumes you're also religious. It made me feel kind of awkward with my Jewish relatives for awhile, who never missed an opportunity to point out "Oh good thing she's [fill in the blank] at [blank] since she's Jewish!"

 I find the best way to come out is with a full regiment of heavy Cataphractoi in a sharp wedge formation. Heavy Armor and Lances are, obviously, a must.

Sortie from the main gate (Its where they will least suspect) and charge for the weakest part of the enemy formation. Avoid the center of the enemy line, even if vastly understrength as it is likely little more than bait to lure in an attack, and then you would find yourself surrounded. I find the middle right to be my ideal area. If you have the extra soldiers, send mutliple wedges to multiple areas, however for each flight you send out to attack you should keep one within the walls near the gate.

You have two possible objectives. If at all possible, you want to completely slam through the enemy line, don't worry too much about inflicting casualties here, but watch to make sure you don't lose too many men. If you find it too difficult or costly to make progress, abandon the attack and retreat to the citadel. Remember, you are attacking on your terms, your ranged soldiers on the walls will be able to provide cover and prevent the enemy from following your cavalry into the castle. If enemy cavalry does decide to follow, don't open the gates for your cavalry, and let your cavalry lure the enemy cavalry into the range of your archers or arbalesters (I prefer Arbalesters myself for their ability to slam through armor, particularly useful against knights). If you can completely break through, then circle around in a wide arc and come at the enemy from the rear. This is the crucial part, because the reason I suggested leaving a regiment within the walls was so in the event your attacking cavalry completely breaks through, you can then send the second flight out so that even if they turn to face your first flight, they still have enemy soldiers behind them. Ideally, they would also still be disorganized from having a regiment of cataphractoi slam through them at full speed. If you are persuing this objective, it is imperative to not let either of your cavalry regiments get surrounded, hence why, if at all possible, you should be attacking multiple points simultaneously. This is less important in the following scenario, as their role then is closer to a suicide run.

If this is not possible, and against a large or well led force, it won't be, your objective is merely to push through to any and all siege equipment and cause as much damage as possible. For this reason, it would be a good idea to send the knights out with bottles of alcohol and torches, thus you should not attempt this in the rain, so they can set the enemy siege engines alight. The Siege Engines will likely be near the center of the enemy line, so casualties will be high, very high. In all honestly, it is likely your knights will not return, or will do so vastly reduced in size, this tactic should only be used if you are certain you have no options, as knights are expensive and hard to replace. If you expect reinforcements to arrive before you run out of food, or are confident in your ability to defeat the enemy in an assault, do not employ this tactic.

Wait, what?

I can see that. When I got to the point of not going any longer I chose a different "mass" to attend. Instead I went to a local bar and had a beer. This went on for a few months and one Sunday I happened to go to a different bar. And there was my mother's uncle and his friends. His words were, "So you don't go to church any more either" and he bought my beer. Surprise, I was not alone even in the same family which was overtly deeply religious.

I announced nothing but in behaving the way I chose I found family support. Perhaps I have been fortunate. After graduating I got a job in another city. The family as visiting and asked which church they would go to on Sunday. I casually suggested looking it up in the phone book. Nothing was said beyond, Where is the phone book.

So perhaps simply a casual statement of not wanting to go to church will get over the issue without going into why which can easily lead to a confrontation. Remember, your parents know other parents and they talk about you kids. They know other people's children have stopped going to church. They are prepared for it. They know it might happen. They have likely thought about how they will deal with it. If you are the eldest child they have thought about such a possibility for at least 19 years and 9 months.

It is often dangerous for the young to conflict with adults before having enough real world experience dealing with adults. There is still the majority of one's life where adults were always wiser than you. Even adults tend to defer to people who are questionable wiser people who are simply older than they.

But if you are up to it, argue from the bible. It is much more fun. God only condemns adultery not pre-marital sex and you have an entire commandment to prove it. No matter what they tell you, you have a perfect response. The commandment does not say that. Any kind of argument within families are rarely profitable much less a theological one.

 i remember on my post you said that you had this similar one. well did you ever tell them? I think i am going to keep my new beliefs to myself for now. My old man has a heart condition and if he had to think of me burning in hell he may just croak. My mom as well. 

Well, cervello, I sympathize, partly at least. When I was around your age I was an unbeliever as well, many of my friends knew so, including most of the fundie friends I grew up with. My sister knew also, mainly because I used to have a blog where I would write about my disbelief. 

But as an atheist at the time, I never quite understand the evangelizing form of atheism, where you wear t-shirts, and buy bumper stickers.

My mother is a devout believer, and her religion gave her a sense hope in the face of her life long suffering, she would have been devasted to find out I was an atheist, and I saw no reason as to why I should have told her that. I never found it repressive to do so, as someone hiding the fact that they're "gay" would be, but rather I found it as much of a burden as it is to hide the fact the I don't find fat girls attractive, from the obese woman living next door. 

I didn't mind going to church, I just took a book with me to occupy my time. The church folk were friendly, I returned the kind heartedness back. 

In one of my college essays I wrote briefly about my experience, and since it relates to yours, I'll share:

"It’s 4pm on Wednesday, and I’ve decided to accompany my mother on a trip to visit an aunt who had a recent fall that left her right arm in a sling. Upon arrival at my aunt’s suburban abode, a self-proclaimed apostle named Judith embraces me. After conversing about my aunt’s disposition and the events that led us here today, Judith decides to read melodically a chapter from Psalms. Upon finishing she starts weeping with the cacophony of an Embarcadero sea lion. My mother and aunt bow their heads in meditation, and I bow mines to conceal my amusement.

When the wailing stops, Judith asks if she may pray for me, and I oblige. She lathers a bit of Bertolli Olive Oil between her palms, and places her hands on top of mines, and foretells: “God is going to change your life today”. A part of me longed to feel this ethereal conversion, but I felt nothing—apart from a greasy residue. 

The ride home from today’s makeshift revival was silent. My mother was smiling, believing her prodigal son had returned home and found Jesus. I didn’t want to spoil this rare feeling of joy for her.

“Come what may, this is happiness” (Viskningar)."

Oih! thats my line!

You best not be tryin ta take mah job, boy!