Guest KarenRN Posted September 25, 2005 Share Posted September 25, 2005 My journey to becoming an "Ex-Christian" was a slow progression that began with my being a Skeptic. I started to really question extraordinary claims, so naturally I eventually questioned the existance of God. It was so hard, and all the testimonials I am reading here, has me seeing that what I have gone through is pretty normal! I have not told my husband, but he is really smart guy, and I have a feeling that he knows in a way. I also suspect he too, may have quesioned his faith. He was raised Catholic, but a few years ago decided he was a Christian. I hope that we soon can discuss our feelings, because it is not easy making this decision alone. The only thing I am finding difficult now, is that everyone assumes you are Christian! People send me these horrible email "forwards" about God, and praying. What if I sent those people articles about Atheism? Or better yet, funny pics like the Emeril Lagasse last supper parody that is in the Gallery on this site? Well, they would be horrified! I am very happy I found this site! It was quite by chance, and I can be sure God had nothing to do with it...... Karen Reuter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizard Posted September 25, 2005 Share Posted September 25, 2005 Welcome, Karen. It is often a slow progression. Its been over 2 years since I started my journey out. I understand what you mean about the emails. I've recently added something to my signature on my emails..we'll see what the reaction is, the next time I get one of those emails, and respond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouroboros Posted September 25, 2005 Share Posted September 25, 2005 Welcome Karen! So good to get more apostates in our little Church... :hihi: It's not easy in todays America (I assume that's where you're from) to be non-Christian. Media and general conception is that you're supposed to be one, or you're an outcast. I had the same fears when I lost my faith. My wife hadn't said anything, and we had stopped going to Church. It was building up inside my like a fire, I just had to tell her. So when I finally got courage enough to do it (boy was I nervous), I sat down and slowly progressed into explaining what I felt. Her reaction was nowhere to be seen. She only looked at me, no face or anything. So finally I asked her what she thought. And she answered that she didn't believe either. ***MOMENT OF SHOCK*** O'boy, was that a moment of relief and surprise. Since then I've learned that she does have some kind of belief, more towards a deist, but definitely not Christian anymore. We rarely have to talk about faith or religion, and when we do, it's mostly me doing the conversation. She just likes to hear what I say, but has very little to complement with. She's just content with "maybe there is something". If you recently de-converted, maybe you need a little time to build up what you think and how to approach your husband. But it will kill you more if you keep in inside you and not let him know. But that of course depends on what kind of relationship you two have. Hans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouroboros Posted September 25, 2005 Share Posted September 25, 2005 Welcome, Karen. It is often a slow progression. Its been over 2 years since I started my journey out. That's about my timeframe too! Could it have been some kind of evil-apostate-flu-bug going around at that time? I understand what you mean about the emails. I've recently added something to my signature on my emails..we'll see what the reaction is, the next time I get one of those emails, and respond. I've recently have received more of those too. First it was stock tips, then it was porn, then medication and now religious. Do I see some kind of trend here? Maybe the people sending the spam went through this progression: 1. First they tried to make money in stocks, and failed 2. So they got into porn, and got HIV 3. Then they started pharmacies to survive. 4. And when the medication didn't work, they got religion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Checkmate Posted September 26, 2005 Share Posted September 26, 2005 .......The only thing I am finding difficult now, is that everyone assumes you are Christian! People send me these horrible email "forwards" about God, and praying. What if I sent those people articles about Atheism? Or better yet, funny pics like the Emeril Lagasse last supper parody that is in the Gallery on this site? Well, they would be horrified! ...... Karen Reuter Greetings, Karen. Join the club! (Figuratively and literally.) Many of us "suffer" the same theistic assault of presumption and awful e-mails. It never seems to go away, but it can be judiciously lessened by telling people up front your new NON-beliefs. Some will be respectful. Others will be stubborn and rude. How you handle them will be up to you on a case by case basis. Try to be creative and have fun with it! Let them know that being "god-less" doesn't make you joyless. Anyway, welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KarenRN Posted September 26, 2005 Share Posted September 26, 2005 Greetings, Karen. Join the club! (Figuratively and literally.) Many of us "suffer" the same theistic assault of presumption and awful e-mails. It never seems to go away, but it can be judiciously lessened by telling people up front your new NON-beliefs. Some will be respectful. Others will be stubborn and rude. How you handle them will be up to you on a case by case basis. Try to be creative and have fun with it! Let them know that being "god-less" doesn't make you joyless. Anyway, welcome to the forum! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I wanted to thankyou all for your kind welcome! Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
♦ nivek ♦ Posted September 26, 2005 Share Posted September 26, 2005 Heya Karen! Best place to spend on.ass, on.line time on Net AFAIC.. Welcome to another Life Saver from a long time Rural Ditch Medic-Farm Accident Rescuedoofus. Been at fixin' the fuxx0r'd for over two decades.. Been mind and body fried so amny times I wondered often *why????* until the next Call souned.. When you've had the never_proverbiaL_bad_freekin'_day, ExC can provide a great place to come blow off some steam and feel a bit more free for doig so. kevinL. FF/EMT ret. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fweethawt Posted September 26, 2005 Share Posted September 26, 2005 The only thing I am finding difficult now, is that everyone assumes you are Christian! People send me these horrible email "forwards" about God, and praying. What if I sent those people articles about Atheism? Or better yet, funny pics like the Emeril Lagasse last supper parody that is in the Gallery on this site? Well, they would be horrified! To answer your question, "What if I sent those people articles about atheism?", the answer is, from my own personal experience, is that you will no longer receive those religious oriented e-mails. At least, that's what happened to/for me. Welcome to the forum, Karen. There's lots of stuff/info here for you go go through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizard Posted September 26, 2005 Share Posted September 26, 2005 That's about my timeframe too! Could it have been some kind of evil-apostate-flu-bug going around at that time? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Definately! There were three of us, all together. Right smack in the middle of a christian message board. Actually, it was a couple months after the mass exodus from the Left Behind board, it had gone pay. Boy..what a time that was. I wish I still had my extimony..it was way back on the first board and seems to be long gone Shoulda saved a copy, I guess..although, I think parts of it are still on that other board.. Called it "My Shattered Soul"..on the xtian board, that is. Because that's what it felt like at the time. Ok..here I am giving my testimony in someone else's thread. I'm going to write my own up..or cut and paste from the one back then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shakinshoog Posted October 4, 2005 Share Posted October 4, 2005 heh! I'd love to send some emails like those! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spamandham Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 I have not told my husband, but he is really smart guy, and I have a feeling that he knows in a way. You'll work it out eventually. If you're sure he suspects, and hasn't brought it up, then he's open to discussion. The easiest way to bring it up would be to simply "forget" to engage in some habitual religious act, or be "not in the mood". "I don't feel like going to church this morning, let's go to IHOP instead." "Why didn't I pray before eating? I guess I just forgot" People send me these horrible email "forwards" about God, and praying. Uhg. I never recieved that shit until after people learned I don't believe anymore. Now I get several a week. Come on people! Like some stupid chain mail BS is going to reconvert me. I battle the same dilemma. Should I just tell them to quit sending them, send them "alternative" propoganda, or just continue to delete them without reading them? My sister who knows I'm an atheist is one of the culprits, as is my dad, who is so set in his ways that he still hasn't figured out how to make himself a sandwich after 70 years. My mom knows of my apostasy, so it's hard to believe my dad doesn't know. He knows I don't pray and he knows I don't go to church, so how could he not have figured it out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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