> I'd just like to say that to a large extent I can understand how it feels to be in the position you're in. Not entirely, though, as my views have remained atheistic/agnostic (still not completely sure of the accepted definitions) for the entirety of my life, so I don't have the experience of the "other side".
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> I do know how it is to feel like you have to keep going on with the ways things are now, to not "rock the boat" unnecessarily -- I attended religious education classes from third grade to tenth (plus or minus a year on either end) and often went along with the general flow by saying and doing what I was expected to say and do. After all, I told myself, it's just a couple of hours per week -- it's not all that much of a sacrifice.
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> Since those years, I've changed somewhat. Now if someone were to ask me about my beliefs, I'd tell them the truth, not the words they'd want to hear. It might be uncomfortable if they were close to me and I felt I'd be letting them down somehow, but I'd do it and weather the storm as it came. That said, I'm still not likely to go out of my way to disrupt someone's conception of how I see the world.
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> After hundreds of hours of conversations, reading/research, and introspection throughout my life, I've come to realize that I'm old enough and have seen/considered so much from both sides that my beliefs are not going to change barring a miracle (perhaps literally). I don't know how far along you are in that regard, but it seems to me that you are still feeling enough doubt that things aren't solidified yet. [Note: it's a subtle distinction, but I mean doubt about where your religious views are headed, not doubt about the existence of God, the "correct" religious flavor to follow, etc.]
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I certainly feel as if my views are clear and not likely to change. However, I'm in almost precisely the position you were in from third to tenth grade. I figure in a year, once I'm off to college, then I can drop the mask without any hurt feelings, so for now, like you were, I'm willing to sacrifice a few hours of my week.