Should I share my unorthodox Christian beliefs with my fundamentalist Christian in-laws and friends and thus?

Question

most likely damage these relationships or continue to let them think that I believe as they do to avoid conflict and preaching? Serious responses only please.

Answer 1

No. Keep them to yourself. I hate to say it, but most Christians are not accepting of other people's views. Why do you think there are so many different branches of Christianity? They all think they are right and everyone else is wrong.
If you tell them what you think, they will think you are a kook. I would only bring it up if they ask you and you feel like being honest.

Answer 2

If they are fundamentalists keep this in mind -

There are no unorthodox Christian beliefs.

There's only one right one. Everything else is flat out wrong. Just from the fact you're hesitant to tell them tells me you've realized there are no gray areas with them. It's black and white, right and wrong.

I came from a very strict bible based religion so I can relate on some scale.

If you want to keep peace you better stay quiet. If you're not worried about that speak up but make sure you know what you're going to say before you get started. Have a plan, rehearse it. You need to be prepared and be ready for anything. Be calm, prepared and honest.

And one more bit of advice..

If you tell one of them, all of them will soon know.

Answer 3

That would depend on what those unorthodox beliefs are--and how unorthodox they are. Let me just mention that some of them may be wrong, just like some of your in-laws notions may be in error. Also, it would depend on exactly what kind of fundamentalists they are. You know, there's the Bible-believing fundamentalist, and then there's the variety who refuses to entertain any ideas their particular pastor didn't put into their head. As Paul said, best to consider before you do how this sharing will affect both them, and yourself.

Answer 4

When you say "unorthodox Christian beliefs" I'm not sure what you mean by that so I'm not sure if you consider scripture an reasonable basis to answer such a question so I won't quote it.

The best I can tell you is if you feel something is wrong, don't do it even if it might damage your relationships. With your friends, if you feel they are doing something wrong, in Love and freindship speak up, but if they don't agrea be ready to drop it, just don't support the wrong action.

If your friends or in-laws will think things you do are wrong, try to not do those things around them, don't be fake or lying doing them but try to make them feel uncomfortable or put them in a position where they may do something they think is wrong.

Answer 5

I think honesty is the best policy. When I converted from Methodist to Mormon I didn't care who knew, but my parents did and chose to allow me to tell whoever I wanted. I usually don't bring it up unless I'm asked or they assume I go to the Methodist church. When I do bring it up I try to be sensitive to how they will react and the place we are when I bring it up. It's not that I'm ashamed, it's just that people react differently when you tell them something individually vs in a group, in private vs in public. You might want to build up to the in-laws. Or you might want to share specific beliefs first then build on that. You say you're "unorthodox Christian", does this mean you're part of an organized religion? If so, and it's vastly different in many areas like Mormonism is from the rest of Christianity, then be prepared for backlash.

Answer 6

Depends on how unorthodox. As long as you remain within some form of Christian belief, or can justify it in a Christian manner, you're probably all right. I challenge my pastor all the time. My relatives know better than to argue with me.

Answer 7

people are fundamentalists for a reason, it doesn't matter what religion he/she subscribes to. people don't become fundamentalists because they are open-minded individuals wishing to hear how you are different.

be very careful if you are going to tread on those lines, you might just damage the relationship. what you might want to do is to throw some hypotheticals in there, and see how they react before you confess your unorthodox (potentially heretic) beliefs. :)

Answer 8

i am puzzled to how good freinds and relations would let that bond go through a difference of opinion
if you do decide to tell them and as you say it would damage your relationships .. do it tactfully , nicely , and let them be the ones to step away from you if that is what they need or wish to do
sadly people put religion and other conflicting subjects before family friends and loved ones
and i feel it is their loss and you be the gracious one to make a point of saying that you love them despite theirs and your differences
but i feel being honest about who you are has to be done because i feel it would be unhealthy otherwise to pretend to be something you are not

Answer 9

Not if you value keeping your family together.

Families can and do break apart with people not speaking to each other forYEARS all because of a stupid intolerant religion that actually PROMISES to divide husband from wife, children from parents, brother from brother...

Imagine, your family breaks apart and some of your relatives use this to prove the validity of their faith!!!

My advice when they start talking about their religion is to smile and nod and change the subject.

Answer 10

I guess if they ask you about something, you should answer truthfully. That about the only way to have open discussion. They may learn from you or you from them. If you just want to spout out differences on a whim, knowing they will disapprove, then perhaps you should hold off.