Hey, Hep! Sorry you had to go through that, but your immediate family is the most challenging when it comes to your atheism. I went through it with them when I was like 16, so we got it out of the way early. When my son was born, it was more difficult: I instructed them not to bring instill any magical thinking in him; no Santa, magic, Disney, god or jesus. They went fucking nuts, crying, yelling, the whole nine yards. But, they got used to it. Now, my kid is having a hell of a time in school trying to fit in to a social group. He's great looking, smart, funny and talented, but ever since they found out he was an atheist a couple years ago, they pick on him and exclude him from things. His school is 95% WASP kids, and the rest are jews. They're are only three atheists in his school. I do feel guilty from time to time having raised my son atheist in light of the trouble he's having, but I think it's better and healthier in the long run. I reassure him that when he hits HS soon, he will meet a lot more like minded people there. But BB's right, time will smooth this over. Glad you're feeling better, keep your chin up, my friend...