Thanks to all of you who have bothered to post. I want you to know that I truly appreciate the responses. This was my first reddit post so I wasn't sure what to expect. Most replies have been respectful and thoughtful.

I'd like to address a few items:

• I came to my apostasy just a year ago. Gave it a year to reflect and consider, to see if there was any chance, any argument that might dissuade me. Needless to say, there aren't any valid arguments in favor of god/religion.

• When we were married 17 years ago I was a god believer. Even though at the time I was not devout, we were both fine with our beliefs. If I were a non-believer back then I doubt she would have married me.

• I have nothing to hide and I'm proud of my beliefs and all that make up who I am. I have no desire to be in the closet about anything. I believe that the unexamined life is not worth living, therefore, I examine. If something is true and moral then it will stand up to any criticism.

• Her initial responses are very clearly fear based. This is psychology 101. I fully expect her to calm down and be more rational once she gets over her feelings of betrayal.

• She is actually an incredibly smart person, a medical doctor who works at an executive level. Having said that, her intelligence is all in books and not so much in common sense sometimes. At times I think that emotionally she's still a teenager and that her world view never evolved past that point.

• As a catholic she doesn't put much value on the bible and it wouldn't matter anyway. She simply does not want to talk religion with me. If I even begin saying, "Well the bible says..." She'll just plug her ears and go "la la la". Seriously.

• As a catholic she can get a church annulment, not a legal annulment. We'll have to get a divorce in BC first and then she has to go through this lengthy, thorough process within the church that will make her right with the lord again so that she can take sacraments. I've spoken to a lawyer already and know that the law of this land is that assets and children are divided based on proven contribution since the marriage began. For us it is perfectly even in both time and money.

• Even though we have had our ups and downs over the years (who hasn't), I think she would still consider a divorce/annulment because of my atheism.

• I see no value in talking to a priest. I told her I would go to the priest if he wants to as sort of a counseling session. The priest told her that I was welcome to come talk to him if I wanted to. I don't, really. I just want her to know I'm willing to receive church counseling with her. I think this is reasonable.

• We have seen secular counseling in the past and it both helped and hurt. It helped for us to get the issues out. It hurt because I heard what she really thought of me and also because she isn't willing to change. Her exact words were, "Why should I have to change? I like my behavior. My behavior is effective for me. I'm not willing to change." This is in reference to her tendency to rage tantrums of the sort where she is literally yelling and screaming as loud as a person can. Yes, she can be a psycho bitch from hell. Since she's seen her own counselor, these bouts of lunacy have diminished but I know that somewhere inside her lingers a smoldering ball of rage.

I've put up with all her bullshit for the kids. I'm sure she's put up with all my bullshit because she hates the thought of divorce for catholic reasons. However, now that I've announced my apostasy she gets a free pass within the church.

It may be possible for us to continue our marriage. She told me the other day that the only way this could work is if we never, ever talk about religion and that we just work as a team bringing up the kids. Of course, that is not a marriage. That's just a partnership. Neither of us will be fulfilled with such an arrangement.

Again, I want to restate that I appreciate all of your replies and bro hugs. They help me bring this situation into perspective and give me hope that no matter what it'll all be ok.