Why are some people embarrassed about their belief in God?

Question

I noticed yesterday on my cousin's Myspace page, she wrote "I enjoy being around people who aren't afraid to say they believe in God." This I found interesting, because I had not really thought about being afraid to tell people you believe in God.. for me, it has always been that I am sometimes afraid to tell people I *don't* believe in God (mainly because nearly everyone I know does believe).

I can recall, however, feeling embarassed in high school when my best friend Jessie would try to convert our friends to Christianity and get them saved and all that.

So, do you ever feel afraid to admit you believe in God?

Because: actually, I have put on a few pounds, thanks for noticing. Sheesh.

Answer 1

No, I don't hesitate to say that, but I often hesitate to tell people I'm Mormon.

Maybe it's just because of Y!A but I only expect hearing negative things when it comes to my church, so I only discuss it with people that I know are open minded or are in my church so I don't get lame "how many wives do you have?" jokes...or something like that....

Answer 2

No, I have no problem admiting my belief. Though the truth is I would be a little put off by people that want to bring what is largely a personal issue into every conversation.

It's funny Linz I'd worked from home for a year...traveling to see clients but mostly out of an office environment, and I remember some of your questions about being an atheist and being uncomfortable with the amount of "god-talk" being slung around. I thought oh it isn't that prevalent. Then I took a new job in an office, and it is everywhere. I couldn't believe it. I could see how it would be uncomfortable if I was an atheist.

Based on that, I find it hard to believe that many people are that shy.

Answer 3

I think that for some, they're embarrassed. It's not "cool" to be a Christian -- and quite frankly, the "It's cool to be Christian" slogans they come up with, just aren't cool.

Actually though, I've had the oppositte problem: I was afraid to admit that I DIDN'T believe in God.

I was raised into a Christian family, and growing up, I was basically taught to fear and hate anyone that didn't share my beliefs. So, when I realized that I didn't actually "believe," it was a very difficult time: I was becoming what I had feared for so long.

In the words of Marilyn Manson; "The boy that you loved, is now the man that you fear."

I was afraid that my parents would dislike it. That I'd become less their daughter, if I admitted my lack of faith.

And you know what?

I was right, in being afraid.


Since the night they found out, they've treated me like dirt.

And I'll NEVER forgive them. You can only hear "I hate you" so many times, before you start to hate someone back.

And I always will.

Answer 4

The type of God-belief that I can respect is the type that is highly personal and hard to put into words. This is the sort of belief that someone might be embarrased to talk about in front of others--not out of shame, but out of reverence and a desire not to push their belief or cause misunderstanding.

In the school settings in the USA, there is usually more ridicule heaped on those who say they DON'T believe in a god. The majority believe, and there is so much pressure to conform. On the other hand, if someone says they do believe people may just assume they are going along with the crowd--or that they are a fundie or a little goody-two-shoes. All of these are unjust judgements...

If you were embarrased because of your friend pushing his religion on others though, I think your embarrasment was justified.

Answer 5

I think that because it isn't "cool" to be a Christian, many people who are insecure may fear saying anything. Being a Christian brings much ridicule and scorn in certain crowds.

When I talk about something related to my faith at work (not trying to witness, just talking about something that happened, or something I thought about) people get real quiet and uncomfortable, or they change the subject, or they act like I have a fungus. If I wasn't secure in my faith, knowing who I am in Christ, that would make me not want to say anything ever again.

I can totally understand how young people could be scared to speak up. I was very shy as a kid, scared of anyone looking crossly at me. I didn't really know what I believed back then, so I let it scare me.

Answer 6

Being religious is not seen as being cool. And in the US right now it seems as a national culture that it is almost no longer ok to be Christian.

I feel no shame in admitting i believe in God. I always thought though that the people that tried to "save" others were morons. Let them live their lives and stop bugging them. All it does is annoy them. If and when they are ready for God they will find Him.

Answer 7

It is caused by accusations of the enemy of our soul and a false belief that if a Christian offends someone they are not being "kind".

Let's unpack this one if you don't mind....

When I was young and dumb and I offended someone...let's say I was drunk and raising hell...I didn't care if they told me I was offending them...they could just get bent as far as I was concerned and I would tell them so in a flash.

So all of a sudden we seek Jesus and He reveals Himself to us...now we have knowledge of His free gift of life and eternity is at stake. If I tell someone that Jesus loves them and it offends them, where does this conscious come from that convinces me that I have done something wrong? And why is this feeling so strong that it will stifle my ministry if I let it rule me? What does jesus want me to do with the Gospel?

Obviously I had no shame offending people for my purposes...what if my motives are solely for the good of someone else...moreso solely for their eternity and the Glory of God...if they are offended, should I cease?

Just as an exercise of discerning what love looks like, we should all reread the Gospels with open hearts and examine how Jesus dealt with different people at different times.

We may disect the ministry and decide that there is a time to speak and a time to remain silent but the bottom line is that the feelings of guilt, shame, and discomfort that we experience when preaching/defending the Gospel do not come from the Holy Spirit...and if I remain silent at His behest, I should be comfortable and settled about it...right?

Think about it...pray about it...study the Word...pour yourself out for others sake.

God Bless,

agapefromnc

Answer 8

ill put your question this way,some people have different views about God,bcoz of their background and how they are raised by there family,some people in some sect really dont approved what the other says,so u have to respect there opinion about the matter, because in some part of the world there concept of God are different like, like for example some view God as pure spirit, so sees it as likeness of human,in what your sying"excuse me pls" in what i observe in you,there is a block inside your heart which prevent you from believing in someting,is there depression,guilt,etc.hanging in you, you have to let it go,so that you will see more clearly,i'm not a holy man, but it is obvious that you are misguided by yourself, God or anything you call him or her,is there everywhere,cant see it, but felt,remember that an empty glass, you cant say that it is really empty bcoz there no water, remember there are space and air inside it hope you'll get my point, by the way hapy new year and never stick on doubt.

Answer 9

John 12:42-43
Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

Answer 10

I think that if you tell anyone that you have a belief in God, the embarrassment comes from thinking that they might ASSUME you are a zealot or a bible thumper or something like that. You may have a very moderate view of such things but you don't want people thinking you're a mindless zombie either.