Freethought & Rationalism Archive

captainpabst · 04-12-2003, 09:42 AM

This has got to be very difficult for you BG. Hopefully after this initial barrage, they'll back off. Hang in there!

HelenM · 04-12-2003, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by blondegoddess
a phone call last night nearly made me lose it. Oh well, I'm stronger now. Each hit enables me to take a harder hit.

That's a great perspective, bg!

take care
Helen

Sephiroth · 04-12-2003, 10:26 AM

Good luck, BG.

Never · 04-12-2003, 12:46 PM

I've never been in your situation, but from the responses so far I can see that you are very brave to have sent that. As you can see from my thread I have no clue how to respond to people like that - I've never been exposed to them until a little bit recently. I hope that some of your family are capable of separating the person from the religion. I've been following your story since the beginning and hoping for the best for you.

Goliath · 04-13-2003, 03:57 AM

Good luck, blondegoddess!

And remember, if your extended family will not be tolerant of your atheism, then they are not worth having in your life!

Sincerely,

Goliath

beth · 04-13-2003, 10:31 AM

Thanks all! My husband has read my letter and all the replies thus far. He is very supportive of this. There is a double meaning in my letter that is directed toward some of the family members. My husband understands this and thinks maybe this will bring about some sort of justice. The people who I wanted to directly effect have not responded. Probably out of guilt.

My husband did say that I probably sent my family into shock and they don't know how to deal with this. He said that Christians spend their lives learning how to deal with unbelievers, so it is a huge test of faith when a believer leaves the fold and they don't know how to respond. He said I probably caused a lot of my family to challenge thier beliefs and that is why they are being so tacky as to mass email their personal replies to me.

Can't wait to hear from my aunts and uncles.

Treacle Worshipper · 04-14-2003, 02:28 PM

bg,
I've been away this weekend and I've only just seen this thread.

I think you have a great deal of courage to tell your family about your atheism, especially seeing the sort of replies you've received. So much for asking them not to try to reconvert you! Any religion that has to threaten you into believing is not worth following. And I agree with Goliath that sometimes it is necessary to cut all ties with family members; you said that these are distant cousins, so perhaps it might be easier to let them just slip out of your life.

I am very glad to hear that your husband is being supportive of you.

Hang in there.
Hugs & best wishes,
TW

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

04-12-2003, 09:42 AM	#21
captainpabst Regular Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 200	This has got to be very difficult for you BG. Hopefully after this initial barrage, they'll back off. Hang in there!

04-12-2003, 10:26 AM	#23
Sephiroth Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 625	Good luck, BG.

04-12-2003, 12:46 PM	#24
Never Talk Freethought Staff Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: OH Posts: 5,266	I've never been in your situation, but from the responses so far I can see that you are very brave to have sent that. As you can see from my thread I have no clue how to respond to people like that - I've never been exposed to them until a little bit recently. I hope that some of your family are capable of separating the person from the religion. I've been following your story since the beginning and hoping for the best for you.

04-13-2003, 03:57 AM	#25
Goliath Banned Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Fargo, ND, USA Posts: 1,849	Good luck, blondegoddess! And remember, if your extended family will not be tolerant of your atheism, then they are not worth having in your life! Sincerely, Goliath

04-13-2003, 10:31 AM	#26
beth Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: where orange blossoms bloom... Posts: 1,802	Thanks all! My husband has read my letter and all the replies thus far. He is very supportive of this. There is a double meaning in my letter that is directed toward some of the family members. My husband understands this and thinks maybe this will bring about some sort of justice. The people who I wanted to directly effect have not responded. Probably out of guilt. My husband did say that I probably sent my family into shock and they don't know how to deal with this. He said that Christians spend their lives learning how to deal with unbelievers, so it is a huge test of faith when a believer leaves the fold and they don't know how to respond. He said I probably caused a lot of my family to challenge thier beliefs and that is why they are being so tacky as to mass email their personal replies to me. Can't wait to hear from my aunts and uncles.

04-14-2003, 02:28 PM	#27
Treacle Worshipper Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Wales, UK Posts: 931	bg, I've been away this weekend and I've only just seen this thread. I think you have a great deal of courage to tell your family about your atheism, especially seeing the sort of replies you've received. So much for asking them not to try to reconvert you! Any religion that has to *threaten* you into believing is not worth following. And I agree with Goliath that sometimes it is necessary to cut all ties with family members; you said that these are distant cousins, so perhaps it might be easier to let them just slip out of your life. I am very glad to hear that your husband is being supportive of you. Hang in there. Hugs & best wishes, TW

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.