The Grief Is Real

[skysoar15]

Walking down the store tonight, I recently felt all this grief. This sheer grief.

I felt like my life had suddenly become meaningless.

 

For so long, Christianity defined my identity. It absolutely defined it.

Before coming to 'Christ,' I actually had suicidal thoughts in high school.

I found acceptance, love, and answers to God through my college ministry.

 

But now it not only feels like the ultimate betrayal...but I feel so miserably lost now.

The people I know who still carry on the Christian walk seem genuinely at peace. 

 

As I walked through the store, I felt afraid. I felt shivers down my entire body.

I felt so...fallible. 

 

There was a peace in once knowing my eternity was safe due to 'following Christ.'

Now I just feel uneasy and disturbed.

[L.B.]

They might seem to feel at peace, but they are all struggling with trying to keep up their 'perfect' Christian walks.

 

I know your grief; I'm in it.

 

I have NO friends except two, and that's because one is my wife's best friend. My whole world, even though that wasn't great either, was entirely Christians.

[Geezer]

Unfortunately loss of social structure is just a normal part of the journey out of religion. Christianity, especially the conservative versions, are closed communities. Truthfully, so are atheistic groups. People seek out like minded people. That is just human nature.

 

We want to associate with people that agree with our beliefs or lack of beliefs. When I left religion my "friends" suddenly didn't know me. They didn't want to associate with me anymore. Now I understand why because I have no interest in being around them either. I can't relate to their thinking & beliefs now any more than they can relate to mine.

 

You have to make new friends. Leaving your religion is sort of like leaving your home & moving to a new city. You basically have to rebuild your social structure.  There are lots of civic clubs you can visit, or a Unitiarian Universalist group that will connect you with people with out the religious element.