I just wanted to know if there are people here who have chosen to leave a certain religious community and did not replace it with another...like going from Christianity to atheism for example...

If so, what was it like to tell your family? Did they push you away, try to change you, or accept your new view of life?

My story...


I was raised a nondenominational Christian and have recently discovered myself. By "discovering myself" I mean I finally accepted the fact that a lot of what I've been taught through Christianity I can't fully say I believe or agree with...I let go of the guilt that comes with denying the CLAIM that there was a man sent by God to die for our sins, and most significantly I stop trying to convince myself that the Bible is undeniably the true word of God or inspired by God...

SO, my conclusion...upon reading and researching and conversing with different people I found that I agree or feel at home with the concept of Deism. I do believe in a higher being...I don't know if there's a heaven or hell or life after death but it doesn't concern me anymore, why should I be concerned with it when it doesn't exist until I cease to exist? Besides with or without religion I believe I can still be a good person and do good things for those around me.

I have not discussed this with my family, primarily because I do not want to be preached to, I will gladly share my views with them (it's not a quick decision and I'm comfortable & happy with it) but I'm not sure it's even necessary....I'm just curious to know how others have experience this step and how it came about.

vintage_surf21

do you own a watch?

vintage_surf21

there was a reason i was asking this...

do you believe that the watch you own just poofed into existance? or do you believe that someone made that watch with exact perfectness so that it will tick at just the right time and work just the way it does to help you keep time?

jillianleab

I would say let it come out when the situation arises. There's no reason to show up on Mother's Day with a box of candy, a bunch of flowers and a card that says "I have renounced your god and found my own!"

Many families never discuss individual religious beliefs. I have a very good friend who is in his 30's and his parents still don't know he's an atheist (they are very conservative Christian). He knows how upset they would be, so he does the good son thing and goes to church with them on Christmas and Easter and avoids the topic the rest of the year. It works for him.

I didn't come from a religious family, but there was always the implication (I guess) that there is a god, and heaven and hell, all that. I never really bought into it.... but I don't feel the need to sit my grandmother (who actually is religious) down and tell her how I feel. I just let it be.

I guess you have to ask yourself what it would accomplish; is it something you want to get off your chest? Do you want to do it as a vengeful thing? Do you think other family members will join your way of thinking? To me, it's something that can (and probably will) come out with certain family members in the course of regular conversation. And if your family never discusses such things, then what does it matter if they know? So really, you just have to decide, how important is it to you that your family knows of this change in belief?

jillianleab

vintage, you might want to look up deism.... It is quite different than atheism....

vintage_surf21

ok. on a serious note.

be very careful with exploring other 'Gods'. It can be distructive. Have you decided which God you would like to follow? How about the God of money? or the God of pride, that's a good one.

there is only one God. Jesus is not God. He is the Son of God who sits at the right hand of the Father.

In my opinion, your family did a poor job of leading you to God. There must have been something that they have done to you that didn't seem 'christian' and it has made you question the relationship all together. remember- christians aren't perfect! and you don't even have to call yourself 'christian'. It is all about finding a relationship with God, not a religion. You don't have to go to church on Sundays. God would rather find you under a tree praying, than silent in a church pew.

i just encourage you to pray until every bit of energy is gone and you fall weak! Pray to God for understanding! Pray to Him to help you find truth so that you don't have to search and keep searching and keep searching and searching and searching..........

vintage_surf21

yes! that is really good! and a very good indication that there is a creator. Nature is a perfect example of a higher being.

i am going to tell you why your search hits me in a personal way.

i have seen angels. (don't freak out...just be openminded)
i have seen demons. I have known people who have seen Jesus and have come back to life to talk about it. I have friends who have seen angels. i have been filled with the Holy Spirit and my soul has changed. when someone says that they think Jesus doesn't exist, then they may as well be saying that the color blue doesn't exist.

Again, I just think that you are not searching hard enough for the truth. Don't give up. And don't talk to your family about it. if they haven't led you to Christ yet...find Him on your own...i can't live without Him. He is the air to me. ( I am actually crying right now)

mimi03

jillian, thanks for the reply

I don't think I will bring it up but my family is all about deep theology, political, educational conversations when we all get together and I usually get involved but now that I am certain about what it is I believe, that changes things to say the least...I would only want to share this because I find it enlightening (to be free form religion without the guilt) and also feel sad that the people I know are so closed minded about others (their religions and rights as human beings) and life because of their religious affiliations.

Choux

MImi, When you are an *adult*, you don't owe anyone an explanation for anything, specially your religious or non-religious worldview!

If your family asks, and I bet they won't, just say you don't like to talk about religion because these conversations lead to arguments.

If you have to shut some religious person up, just tell them that there is *no* independent verification of any of the supernatural events described in the New Testament. Then, you don't have to waste your breath talking about myth to someone who takes myth as having really happened.

mimi03

thanks for the response

I am still searching and I definitely do not claim to have all of the answers but I do feel very strongly about what it is that I have found thus far. Right now Deism suits me very well because like I mentioned before I do believe in God but the Bible itself which is supposed to be the word of God troubles me greatly...there are too many contradictions, atrocities and injustices not to mention hypocrisy...I don't have a personal vendetta against any religion I just think with Deism I've found the simplest and purest way to appreciate God (through his works that can NeveR be altered or manipulated by man i.e. gravity or time)...and with this I will go forth.

I hope I didn't make you cry, and I really do appreciate your sincerity about the topic