khdetw

Brings to mind Matthew 10:35-37 and Luke 12:51-53. One prophecy that ~has~ been fulfilled :-( Why would anyone willingly buy into that?

Your husband is optimistic and positive I'm guessing because he's deluded that you will one day be "saved" again. That's exactly how my mom handles my atheism - god (SIC) bless her. So can you - with truth on your side - lighten up and do likewise? Believe that he will one day open his mind to reason and enlightenment? It does often seem that the opiate of religion gives its adherents an extreme positive outlook. That's why it's so hard to break free. There are withdrawl symptoms. The path of enlightenment can do this too, without the denial of reality. Ultimately a better choice IMO.

Tears are sometimes an appropriate response to life, growth, and change all of which are accompanied by pain. I'm not suggesting anything because I don't know you or your family but a few thoughts come to mind. In a way it sounds like your husband is handling things better than you are - OTOH we only sense that because of what ~you~ have said here ... so you already have the answers within you. Personally I'm no longer married and my kids are raised so I don't have those pressures. I highly value the time that's been restored to my weekends by not attending church. Several loved ones, incl

You and her family gave your wife empathy and non-judgemental love which surely made her too-short life more blissful. Sounds like the irrational ideas from the church distracted her from finding real answers. Sad indeed. Thanks for sharing.

I came across this today. I expect you'll like it. Hope I'm not fanning the flames (well maybe just a little) ;-) http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/just-asking-questions-creation-edition/

So many awesome responses. It's humbling to be in the presence of some of you. I wish I had found this forum about 40 years ago, would have made my path a lot smoother but I digress. Of course it could fall apart and has for many families in your situation (mine included). If that happens you will be ok although I know it doesn't feel that way. But I sense that you are going to achieve the kind of open balanced relationship that many here have spoken of. Many (most?) families struggle with such issues at some level and most don't do it very well. You have a real chance to break that pattern. I

Welcome. You are very mindful for your age. Many of us struggled much longer to arrive where you are. The issues with family will probably never go away but always remember you are free, they are constrained by an absurd religion. So you don't have to respond to absurdity in like manner. Depression and stress are killers. Even moreso - longing for things to be other than they are. You recognize that you have issues with depression and have taken decisive steps away from it - that's a huge positive. But don't take it lightly, it can re-emerge and really set you back. I suggest reading everythi

Hmmm... Jesus was an alien. Maybe that's why we're the ones going to hell?

I should be pleased that Christians and Muslims are better than their religions. Nice thought - that's an enlightened view towards those you need to love (or at least like) who are still Christians.

Steps 1-3 seem representative of the absurd "intellectual gyrations" Christians go through to try to rationalize the irrational things they're convinced they have to believe. Having escaped that childhood indoctrination and knowing how hard it is (as many here do) it's fightening to recall that as ridiculous as they obviously are, these things didn't seem absurd at all from the inside. I would not call it cowardly, as much as insideous on the part of those who are intellectually capable of knowing better and perpetrate those ideas for personal gain. It is disgusting how they are willing to tot

Plus you get to know some of the other shoppers who you'll be spending eternity in Hell with