(March 23, 2014 at 3:48 pm)OGirly Wrote: Recently I 'came out' to a few more friends of mine that I have given up religion. One of these friends of mine is rather religious herself, and since has been constantly dogging me to come along with her to her church. She says you don't even have to believe in God, and that it's more for the community aspect of religion. I really don't want to go, and I've told her nicely quite a few times but she's insistent. I really feel like she thinks it's her personal mission to save me from atheism. I don't want to hurt her feelings as she does mean well (I can only assume at least), and she is a very good friend of mine (she says my giving up religion will not change our relationship in any way, and so far it hasn't so thats good at least). I just don't know how to tell her I'm not interested nicely anymore.
Has anyone else had similar problems with friends after leaving faith? I am starting to feel like I should just go once, and then let her know it's not for me; but I'm really trying to distance myself completely from religion as much as possible right now. Considering my condition I don't want anything to possibly place a delusion in my head again about religion; and I don't know how to say THAT to her without sounding like I'm straight calling her deluded (even though that's what she is in my opinion it's not polite and I'd like to remain as polite as possible considering she's been a good friend of mine since high school).
Any tips for doing this nicely?
My advice, don't go to appease her if that is the only reason. She needs to respect where you are, with this whole thing. If she doesn't judge, let's see that play out in actions. I lost three friends, one very recently, over 'leaving' the faith. The last one hurt the most, as it was a bit abrupt. She might have been feeling things she never said for a while, but never said anything until recently. It hurts to lose people you considered friends, but you can't be someone you are not, to keep them.
Old saying, one should rather be hated for who he/she is, than liked for who he/she is not.
It is a hard spot, OGirly. I hope your friendships last, and that your friends respect your boundaries. hugs~*~
