RE: free at last
July 24, 2013 at 6:07 pm
(This post was last modified: July 24, 2013 at 6:44 pm by freedomfromforum.)
(July 24, 2013 at 5:30 pm)Slave Wrote: I didn't want to read and run, as I can't really answer your last question with any kind of authority. When my de-conversion happened, I didn't feel the need to reveal the fact to my friends, however as you have been in a position of relative wisdom on religious matters in the past (and I take it your friends see you as a kind of mentor in that regard), I can see why you might feel you should.
The best way to tell them I would say, is to wait until they either bring up religion around you, or ask you directly. This may seem less evasive than seeking to inform them directly as though you were proselytizing; which let's face it, believers always think atheists do when they announce their atheism. Or, you could just be totally blunt about it and tell them "hey, by the way, you know how I was a big believer in Christ and was a worship leader and all that? Well, surprise! I am an atheist! Ha-ha, fuck your Jesus!". Either way, they won't be happy. And you will lose many of them as friends.
I did see this process as a sort of cleansing though, and I'd encourage you to view it in much of the same way. The friends you had who truly appreciated you as a person, and not just for what you believed in, will stand by you no matter what path you take in life. De-conversion is a blessing in disguise, in this regard. Regardless, welcome to the forum, your intro was a good read. I just joined tonight myself.
Thank you! Your words are very encouraging and transparently honest. I am finding that non-believers are generally more accepting of diversity in thought, and seem to be much more genuine. I too am sensing a cleansing process, and I am excited by the evolving new world I have found... a world which now includes people like you, and perhaps many others I would have at one time disregarded because our beliefs differed.
Thank you for your sincere welcome, and welcome to you as well. I'm sure we'll be seeing one another here often.
(July 24, 2013 at 6:05 pm)cratehorus Wrote:(July 24, 2013 at 5:20 pm)freedomfromfallacy Wrote: Also, can you all suggest ways in which I can come out as an atheist to my Christian friends? The ones I have told so far have effectively proven my points on hypocrisy to be accurate. I have been told that I can no longer be associated with and that I was never a true believer, (if true believer means writing off friends for holding skepticism, then I can say no, I have never done that).
call yourself an atheist if they have a problem with it pull your cock out and smack em with it
That probably won't support rational thinking in them. I'll pass.
