I don't believe in Jesus anymore. Every single one of my family and friends are Christian and they'll be devastated to hear that I left the church. I'm afraid that they'll hate me and condemn me to hell forever.
2007-02-01 11:00:00 · 48 answers · asked by ஐPardon Me while I burnஐ Incubus 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I still believe in God...
2007-02-01 11:14:48 · update #1
So don't tell them. It's better than hurting their feelings.
2007-02-01 11:06:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am sure that they will be hurt and worried about you. I don't know how you would go about telling them. You might prepare yourself ahead of time by going over the reasons behind it and also preparing yourself for some of the obvious questions. I am a believer and I know that it would hurt me deeply if one of my children were to tell me that they don't believe in Christ. If something like this were to happen, my first question would be "Why?" I would also want to know if it was because of some real soul searching or because of a deep disappointment, thinking God had failed them somehow, so He must not exist. Above all, keep your cool, I am sure they will be emotional, so you are going to have to try to keep the mood low key.
As far as them hating you, I don't think they will. If they say somethings without thinking, give them time and they will come around. And...they can't condemn you to hell, that is a decision that you make. i am not trying to be mean, but by rejecting Christ, you have already condemned yourself, they can not add anything to that or take anything away.
2007-02-01 11:12:05 · answer #2 · answered by shirewyn 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The be conscious ethical does not exist in the KJV, so the argument is a moot subject. somebody is following the classes of guy, and that's precisely argued against in the KJV Bible. One can't serve God and Mammon, it incredibly is a quote from Christ, it is likewise One can't serve 2 Masters,, it incredibly is in the Gospels, interpretation is the place it gets all fowled up. If he chosen to be hateful or ignorant it incredibly is his loss, help him locate the way,the easy and the reality.i desire which you will the two be acquaintances, Jesus substitute into despatched so as that each you would be able to be rewarded, he did not choose and informed us to not choose others. i'm agnostic now becuase of the churches of guy that have spoiled the understanding for their very own purposes and features. actually they have their reward.
2016-10-16 10:29:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For one thing, I would question whether or not your family and friends are themselves Christians if they hate and condemn you. That is contrary to the teachings of Christ. Second, a lot of people say they are Christians because they go to church or believe in God and live a moral life. That does not make one a Christian. If someone truly has a persoal relationship with Jesus Christ, then that is what makes them a Christian. If your family and friends fall into the first category, they may or may not notice if you don't believe in Jesus anymore unless you tell them. If you stop going to church, and they go often, then they might start to wonder. If your lifestyle becomes different from what they are used to from you, then they might already be suspecting that something is up.
If your friends and family are in the latter category described above, and truly have a relationship with Jesus Christ, then of course they will be devastated and saddened to hear that you no longer believe. Just tell them. Likely, they will try to bring you back. Don't resent them for it - they are demonstrating their love for you. If you think someone is going to die unless you help them, then wouldn't you want to help them? You wouldn't stand by and do nothing. They think your soul is going to be lost forever unless you believe again. Please don't fault them for trying to win you back to Christ. They are being obedient to God and their beliefs by doing this. It is HOW they do this that could be a problem. If they are "in your face" about it, and un-loving and highly judgmental in their attitude, gently remind them that as Christians, they ought to know better, because nobody is convinced to follow a path because someone forces them to. It has to be a willing choice.
I for one, respect the choice you made, but I strongly disagree with it. I think you are taking a chance with your soul, and that is a dangerous thing to do. You never know when your soul might be required of you and you will be face to face with God. Still, if your family and friends truly love you as they should, and if they are Christians in the truest sense of the word, then you should expect to see them hurt and saddened for you, but accepting of your decision, even though they disagree. You should expect that they will want to "bring you back into the fold", but they should attempt to do so in a loving, encouraging manner - not beat you over the head with their attempts.
Blessings to you.
2007-02-01 11:19:02 · answer #4 · answered by Chimichanga to go please!! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm in the same situation as you! I haven't told my family that I'm not christian anymore, or don't believe in Jesus, but I've let them know that I want to change religions! They still think I'm a christian who isn't being good! I'm just letting it do the rounds quick, then I'll let them know that I'm not Christian. They're not happy about it, but they don't hate me! I suggest maybe you just tell your family one day, and just let them know why you aren't christian anymore! If they start to condemn you (which they shouldn't), then say,' What?!?, now you hate me just because I don't believe what you believe? Why can't you accept my decision and why should this stop you from loving me?' ...well, that's what I would've said! I hope all goes well with you and your family!
2007-02-01 12:28:58 · answer #5 · answered by -♦One-♦-Love♦- 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What caused you to stray? If you have prayed for something or someone and it look like God is just not answering your prayers or answering you fast enough then be patient. He may answer and He may not answer because He is God, the beginning and the end. He don't move when we want Him to but we are suppose to move when He want us to. Answer me this question. Do we??? Or is it because you can't see Him, touch Him or maybe can't figure Him out and it's causing you to doubt that He really exist? If He showed up right now in your presence, you wouldn't remain standing in all of that power. Faith are the things that are hoped for and yet not seen! We haven't seen Him face to face yet, so we "hope" to see Him face to face one day with a good report as a Christian! You are deceiving yourself. Because if you don't believe now then one day and maybe before you die, you will know that he is real. As for family and friends. If they are true Christians then they won't hate you but they will pray for you. You mentioned of being condemned to Hell forever.... how can you believe in Hell but yet you don't believe in Jesus? Who do you think made Hell? Satan will not make a Hell to put himself and his angels in. Run and mean run back to church!
2007-02-01 12:01:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
My experience mirrored yours. I came from a family of doctors, all Atheist. I was raised Atheist. In college I overheard a piece of a Bible verse from Jesus' sermon on the mount as I walked by a Bible Study. It changed my entire life. I then had to face my family. I feared ridicule, because I've heard them ridicule Christians all my life. But instead they questioned how it happened, what do I feel, how will this impact my future. Because they loved me they accepted the "new" me without reservation. Still today they sometimes accompany me to church and ask questions regarding my faith in Jesus and the Peace I have in my life. I do hope your situation comes out alright too.
2007-02-01 11:23:02 · answer #7 · answered by Just Us 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just tell them. If they're as Christian as you say, they'll forgive you and get over it. If they don't, it will just confirm the suspicions which caused you to leave the church in the first place. My guess: Blood is thicker than the bible. Family is family. My mother was not happy with my apostasy, but after a while we just let that subject pass into history. It might be there will be some members of your family who will not be able to handle it, but that's their problem. Best of luck to you. Keep your chin up, and be proud of thinking for yourself. Welcome to adulthood.
By the way, your screen name is a riot.
2007-02-01 11:12:00 · answer #8 · answered by link955 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religion and spirituality are different things... and if you've come to question your faith, that is your right.
I gave up on my birth religion when I was in my mid-teens - I hated the hypocrisy of those I saw at my church...
You don't need to tell them anything if you don't want to... or you can tell them that you've gotten old enough to think on your own about your faith.
Depending on your (former) faith, your family and friends should be accepting... one of the base tenets of the teachings of christianity are acceptance and unconditional love.
As for condemning you to hell - 'Judge not, lest ye be judged' and 'Judgement is mine sayeth the Lord'.
So if they condemn you - you can defend yourself by pointing out their own hypocisy.
I had an ongoing fight with my parents for years over religion - and it was hard, and painful... but we're all ok now (more or less).
You've made a brave choice... and its a choice we all should make as individuals, not as drones.
Peace,
-dh
2007-02-01 11:11:00 · answer #9 · answered by delicateharmony 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they hate you and condemn you to Hell forever, they're not exactly in the best shape themselves. I would suggest being honest with them. Hopefully their response will be of disappointment and sorrow as well as a desire to pray fervently for you to change your mind. Since you don't believe in Jesus, you shouldn't mind their prayers, and since Jesus IS real, hopefully you'll find your way back. I wish you the best as you go through this big change in your life. :)
2007-02-01 11:06:40 · answer #10 · answered by elizabeth_ashley44 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thats two bad that you dont believe in Jesus anymore. He is the love of my life but you should tell them that even God respects you when you make a decision and so should they. God gave us free will to choose and He respects your decision. He will never hate you or condemn you for it. He will always love you so your parents should follow in the footsteps of Jesus and do the same.
2007-02-01 11:06:24 · answer #11 · answered by kimberley 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋