Thank you all. I have lost so much. I have gained much more.

[KichigaiNeko]

Lek? Lek who?

[Esquilax]

Yeah, I'm actually okay with that. This thread's about a really top notch member, that should be enough.

[Bad Writer]

Mr. M, it's been an honor to get to know you, and I think it's safe to say that it would be a sad day for all if you ever decided to depart the forums.

---

So don't.

[Mudhammam]

They have supported you and encouraged you, but try putting "Christian" after your name and see how much love and respect you get on this forum. Take it from me - not much. You see, it goes both ways.

The irony is that showing love and respect to everyone (while simultaneously condemning them) is a commitment you made as a Christian, so you don't really get to complain or compare yourself to those of us who share neither a responsibility to entertain stupid beliefs nor pretend we appreciate those who spread them.

[DarkHorse]

Mr. Moncrieff. Definitely someone I can look up to with respect.

[Mr. Moncrieff]

Mr. Moncrieff. Definitely someone I can look up to with respect.

Don't be silly.

I'm just a simple guy who makes ridiculous mistakes like everyone else.

My arrogance gets me into all kinds of trouble and my passion often spills into stubbornness.

I'm just clinging onto a semblance of normality the same as anyone else.

The comments are appreciated though.

If you want to send more superlatives my way, just PM me...

; )

[DarkHorse]

Ah, but you handle those mistakes with dignity. At least this time as I can see.

Besides, what's life without a little trouble.

[thesummerqueen]

Mr M -

I've made some of the most enjoyable friends of my life since 'coming out,' most especially thanks to the local atheist group I belong to. I've made some very good friends, some less deep, but enjoyable friends, and if not 'friends' at least interesting acquaintances. You will have a rough go of it while dealing with the fall out of your decisions to make your true self known, but once all the bullshit shakes loose, you'll discovered ultimately more sincere, curious, and generous people.

They have supported you and encouraged you, but try putting "Christian" after your name and see how much love and respect you get on this forum. Take it from me - not much. You see, it goes both ways.

Really? This is just the douchiest post of all time. Why are you here?

I've been on this forum long enough to say without reservation that Lek is entirely ignorant of how we do things around here.

When theists come on board with the intention to engage in respectful dialogue, we return the respect for the person, if not for their religion. I'm sorry, but we don't have to respect your religion, or you if it seems like you're supporting the parts which engage in even more harmful than usual behavior.

[Tonus]

Losing my religion, has meant losing the respect of a many number of colleagues, it would seem.

This is, to me, the most insidious facet of religion. All the talk of tolerance and "christian behavior" go out the window in an instant, replaced by a boorish attitude that they have the gall to refer to as "righteous indignation." In other words, they are treating you like shit because they feel that it is what they are supposed to do because it is the right thing to do.

There is nothing so scary as a person who can do monstrous things to you "for your own good."

[Manowar]

Losing my religion, has meant losing the respect of a many number of colleagues, it would seem.

This last week was particularly onerous and melancholic for me. I have lost friends to ignorance and hostility, being unable to salvage any semblance of a former relationship. There were even some who verbally remonstrated with me in front of various others when in the staff room. The Headteacher and the board had obviously violated the terms of the agreement, but I was determined to preserve some semblance of dignity and so refused to enter into back and forth mud slinging.

There are many within my school who have isolated me, as though I were some kind of pariah. They are simply unable to reconcile my newly acquired beliefs with that of theirs and some have even ventured as far as to condemn me.

I have, much to my consternation and bitter disappointment, learned a great many things about who my true friends have been; were and are.

This fortnight will have been one of the most volatile and unpredictable of my entire life, but still I emerge as a better person as I have learned a great deal about my resilience; my determination and my ultimate ambition to preserve the integrity of my principles.

It should go without saying that THIS community has sustained me throughout some of the most traumatic and life-altering weeks of my life thus far.

I am always grateful for the love, the support and the advice that I have received here and I will forever be indebted to a community of like-minded people who embraced me and gave me the confidence to be the person I have always wanted to be.

You have given me my pride.

You have given me my integrity.

You have given me my respect.

You are an astonishing group of people.

I thank you with all my heart - as do my wife and children. We are indebted to you. We love you.

I am surprised, I thought the English were much more open-minded about Atheism than here in the States. You're better off

manowar