I work for a church and I can't stand it any more.

[abaris]

In their view (which I disagree with but respect) people who do not believe in God are destined to hell, so, if I tell them I am no longer a Christian, some of my closest friends and family will now have to deal with the burden that I am going to hell. That simply is not something I would want to put on them, it would be selfish.

Should make them reflect on the absurd concept of heaven and hell, though. If some loved one is going to hell in their minds, how could they be happy going to heaven, knowing this? And if they forget about that loved one and their torment, since heaven knows no sadness as is often claimed by christians, are they really themselves anymore or is losing one's identity a prerequirement for enterin heaven?

That's just another one of these mental acrobatics necessary to make the pieces of the puzzle fit.