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I'm having trouble relating to my family because they're largely religious, but I'm not. I'm a pretty ethical and sensitive person, but I have a rather pragmatic approach to death and just can't treat it with the same view, since I don't believe in an afterlife, and see the life we're in now as most important. A lot of people in situations like that seem to throw their family away, and at my most angry times I've been tempted, but I can't help but wonder if there isn't something worth salvaging. What would you do?

I would resolve to be more tolerant and accepting of my family. I suspect this is a case of mutual intolerance. There is no problem in different family members having contrary views such as the ones you describe. Indeed to be a truly religious person is to promote unity by a process of tolerance and mutual understanding.

You cannot determine how you will be treated by your family however you can decide how you will treat them. Pursue a path of tolerance and mutual understanding by not seeking to convert other members of your family to your views but instead try and understand their views. By this process your own tolerance and understanding will develop, and you will become a truly religious person - even if you do not believe in life after death!

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