Opening up Options

[kimmytree]

Even though I've been raised mostly Baptist, I've come to the conclusion that I'm agnostic. And after being tired of faking being a Christian, I put that I was agnostic under the "religion" section on my myspace. Well, its only been a few hours, and I've already had a bajillion of my friends message me, wanting to know why the hell I'm not this, and why I'm that. And now my sister knows, and has told my mom... and now all hell is about to break out.

So, ever confess, or tell someone you were close to that you believe differently than they thought you did? How did you come out about it, and how did it go over?

[*salcha4u*]

OMG ANOTHER MYSPACE TOPIC AHHH

[kimmytree]

^ It really doesnt have that much to do with it.

[*salcha4u*]

Yes it does. Myspace is life!

[kimmytree]

The topic is about opening up to others about your change in religion, not about myspace.

Ahhh okay okay. You win.

[Simba]

Yeah, that's why organized religion is screwed up. It's like you have to be on a team.

As for the question, I've explained some of my ways of thinking and it's given some people food for thought. No one ever really got mad or anything though.

[kimmytree]

^ Well, thats good. Are you're views more similar to what your family and friends believe? Or the exact opposite?

I'm worried now that I wont be accepted for what I believe. You know, it gets old trying to make yourself believe something, just to blend in.

[*WHIMSICAL 0NE*]

Eh, I'm a pretty blunt person. I usually don't talk Religion or Politics with strangers, because they tend to take me in a harsh way. I know what I believe and I hate it when people try to change me. I'll listen to what you have to say, and all I ask is that you do the same. Honestly, I really don't care what people think about. I know that makes me sound like a bitch but it's true, I don't let my religious beliefs get in the way of who I am as a person. I honestly think that if someone's going to say "Oh you're not of my faith I don't like you" I wouldn't want to be friends with them. There's a few people in my school like that.

I think that as long as you are honest with your parents, and show them that you believe what you believe but you're not letting it get in the way of how you are as a person that should stick out to them. Depending on how they are, it might take them a while to get used to the fact.

[Simba]

^ Well, thats good. Are you're views more similar to what your family and friends believe? Or the exact opposite?

My dad showed me what makes up most of my views right now. Outside of the family, there aren't very many that share the same views as me around this area.

I'm worried now that I wont be accepted for what I believe. You know, it gets old trying to make yourself believe something, just to blend in.

That's garbage once you have to believe in something just to get accepted.

Your parents, if they've ever understood you, should be able to accept your views here.

Religion is a touchy subject for many people.

[kimmytree]

I think that as long as you are honest with your parents, and show them that you believe what you believe but you're not letting it get in the way of how you are as a person that should stick out to them. Depending on how they are, it might take them a while to get used to the fact.

Yeah, thats true. I know my dad will understand, because I'm pretty sure he believes the same way. It's just my Mom and her family... and people at school. I go to a Christian school... and the few kids that have been open about not believing like everyone else were total outcasts.

My dad showed me what makes up most of my views right now. Outside of the family, there aren't very many that share the same views as me around this area.

Yeah, same here in a way. My Dad wasnt raised religious... I think his Dad was agnostic and his mother was raised Jewish in East Germany during the war... so after that she pretty much abandoned her faith. So my Dad's pretty open minded, and accepting of others.

[clarity]

Ah see once I told my parents I was atheist they wern't exactly shocked, because ones jewish and ones christian.

My parents are iffy, but yeah if i told them something.. well i really don't know.

[viugiufgjhfhjfhg...]

I vaguely remember telling the religion teacher at the catholic school I attended that I wasn't baptized nor knew what liturgy was; this was a few weeks prior the Christmas celebration during the first year I was in there.

There wasn't too much of a commotion after that, but I spent all the religious services of the following 8 years either sitting at the back of the Chapel looking at the school yard from the window, or else I would be drawing robots and spaceships in the Library.