(July 6, 2014 at 12:22 am)Amalynne0 Wrote: Through a series of choices and events, I am estranged from much of my family--the majority of whom would have severely judged and shamed me for my atheism. My family, the ones I still see, have been shocked... not as much disappointed, but unsettled. I was as hardcore Christian as one could get and its disturbed quite a few people to see that my faith could be decimated... I'm sure this is mostly because my disbelief has caused them to question their own faith. This, to me, has been the most beneficial result of my publicly declared atheism.
Many friends though, much from a Christian and highly conservative community, have gone so far as to shame me via social media and make very aggressive attempts to restore my faith--I don't need anymore vehement voicemails or cookie baskets with little nettling notes about faith left at my doorstep. I have had doubts for years, and thought myself an atheist quietly for nearly 2 years now while breaking away from church life.
Well that must suck. Just stick to your principles and values. I still have a hard time understanding how can family and friends complain so much about something strictly personal that most times doesn't interfere with what a person is
Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you
