Should I tell my friends that I'm a non-believer?

Question

I once thought I was a ******** (denomination not important) but have come to realize that I never really believed what I said I believed. How do I tell my ********* friends this or should I just keep it to myself?

Answer 1

That's a tough question. 6 of 1, half dozen of the other. My family is Catholic, I left the church at 18, and ultimately became Pagan. Although my family knew I was obviously not a practicing Catholic, they never actually asked what my thing was, and never really addressed it with me, and it was some years before I used the word Pagan in front of them, they don't give me any grief about it, havn't disowned me, or anything like that. It really depends what your friends are really like, if they are truly your friends, they want your best happiness for you. Some people get really upset about things like that, and it's a control issue, if you value these friendships, maybe you should just move on from whatever you are currently doing, and on to whatever you think you should be doing, and just kind of wait and see whoever asks you about it, and what thier attitude is and go from there, one person at a time. I guess what I am thinking is if you make it like a blanket announcement that you are no longer ********, that it might come as a shock to your friends, and some of them could take it as a sort of rejection, or something... If this is really how you feel, be prepared that it's possible you may lose some friends over it, and the ones that stick around will understand you better in the end, if you are going where you need to go. Good luck....

Answer 2

First: this is advantageous your pal feels sturdy sufficient to chat to you. So I take this factor severe for you asking it. this is a crucial difficulty for her and for the guy in touch too. the concern you're asking approximately is broken down as this. a million] would desire to my pal date a guy that may not spiritually the comparable as her? 2] is that this difficulty important? To the 1st one i'd say which you will desire to no longer care as a techniques simply by fact the non secular factor that's some thing that they might manage mutually. My advise to you for her, is probably study her very own thought and discover out why she adheres to it and why he does not. She would discover she rather does not have that a large number of a reason to rigidity approximately him and greater reason to rigidity suitable to something of her acquaintances. 2nd, i'd motivate you to check your individual motives for adherence. Having faith is plenty from a distinctive function. It blinds your skill to opt for fact stunning. i comprehend many solutions have suggested "butt out" or some thing like that that's glib. the factor is there is not any longer assure in relationships and whether she replaced into to discover somebody that had the comparable faith concepts as she did there is not any thank you to foretell how the relationship will bypass. the ultimate advise is to tell her to do what she feels is sturdy for her and which you will help her. the secret's regardless on how plenty she needs your advise, she stands out as the guy who has to stay with him in the event that they get married or proceed a relationship. i'm an atheist yet considering you and her have faith, how do you comprehend that God isn't bringing them mutually for his earnings. however the ultimate advise it to purely permit or no longer this is.

Answer 3

It depends on the friends that you have. If you have very devout Christian friends, they believe that they need to spread the word and ensure that they save your soul from eternal hell and damnation. They will pray for you, invite you to church every chance they get, try to talk to you about God and Jesus, etc. Depends on if you are willing to deal with this. However, a TRUE Christian should not judge you based on your beliefs and should be friends with you anyway.

If your friends are just casual believers (yeah, I believe in Jesus) then I would tell them. Who knows, maybe many of them have also decided that they have a hard time believing. The number of non-believers seems to be on the rise, or maybe I'm just connecting with a larger number of them in my daily life.

I think honesty is always important, but ultimately it's up to you and what you think that you can deal with on a daily basis if you think that your friends would hound you.

Answer 4

It's up to you. I had the mindset at one time that I should announce to everyone that I really never believed in the religion I had been in for years. I soon found out that family and friends get hurt, confused, and upset by that. I have one family member that no longer speaks to me.

You may want to just keep hush on it, unless someone brings the topic up or asks you.

Answer 5

I don't think this is an "either or" question. You don't need to announce it, nor do you need to hide it. I have Atheist, Buddhist, Muslim & Christian friends. I have a friend of 20 years, & just now realize I have no idea if she is a "believer" or "non-believer." You see how irrelevant this can be? My friends & I share the same sense of "spirituality." I think that unless one defines themselves TOTALLY by their faith or lack of it, it's not an issue at all. I'm an Athesist, &, I believe in God, although my concept of "God" is totally different than many concepts of God. If someone chose to "reject" me for that, they wouldn't be in my "circle" (metaphorical circle) & thus, not a part of my life. I'd venture that your "transformation" is far more profound to you, than it would be to others. One last thing; when we think in "either or" we miss the vast terrain between.

Answer 6

Speaking from experience, cliche as it is, people who ar your real friends accept you for whatever you are. People who would want to reject you based on what you believe or don't believe aren't the kind of people worthy of being your friends.

It's a big choice, but if you 'come out of the closet' you'll feel better about it - and as an added bonus you'll learn who your 'true friends' really are.

Good luck with it.

Answer 7

Not knowing the setting--You might say--My theology over time has changed some. I have come to the conclusion that certain beliefs I once had are not what I believe now..
"Ye shall be known by the fruits ye bare"

Answer 8

I think you should let them know, that you really do not believe in what they are saying, then tel them why and what you believe, true friends do not just hang around because you believe in the same denomination. They are there becaue they like you.

Hope this helps.

Answer 9

It's up to you. If you want to tell them tell them, if not then don't. But if they are your true friends as you should be theirs, it will not matter if you do tell them. Perhaps it may come as a shock at first, but ultimately, this should make no difference in regards to your relationship with them. I've many friends of my own that have different beliefs than mine.

Answer 10

Faith, or the lack of it, should be a private matter. As long as you are at peace with yourself about it, it's no one's business. And if any of your friends condemn you about it, should they find out, then maybe they weren't your friends to begin with. Friendship, like love, is about acceptance.