How should I tell my family/friends that I am leaving their religion?
By shlooper
@shlooper (309)
United States
July 13, 2008 7:36pm CST
I grew up in a certain religion , now I want to leave it. I have no questions that this religion has been holding me back spiritually and in other ways as well. I do have one problem however. It is a religion that demands a certain lifestyle and emphasizes families, but they teach that people who leave the religion leave because of sin that keeps them from recognizing the truth. I need to talk to my mother before I stop going to church because I would rather her know the truth from me than through the grapevine, but the religion also teaches that anyone who leaves goes to hell basically. So how do I tell my family/friends that I have decided to, in their eyes, go to hell?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
14 Jul 08
I dont know how old you are but the bottomline IMO is this...If YOU feel that its time for YOU to move on..that decision can ONLY be made BY YOU..and more than that if YOU feel that your relationship with religion, spirituality or any higher power etc etc is strong and somehting you are firm and passionate about then what ANYONE else thinks, believes and says is completely irrelivant....ONLY YOU know what is real, valid and best for you...Sure maybe your parents will be disappointed BUT whats better = for you to continue playing a bullshyt game by followingn THEM and going to church etc etc OR you being real and deciding for yourself what is right between you and god etc?
@emgeeoh (1)
•
14 Jul 08
From my own experience of leaving my former religion as well, it's best to just tell your family and friends staight-up about your decision and explain that decision by telling the truth about how you feel. My family didn't agree with me too when I made that decision ten years ago, but they loved me enough to still remain supportive to this day. As to my friends, well, telling them the truth revealed who were true and who were not. Needless to say, I lost some of them but that only made those who are still around more valuable than before. These loved ones and I now have differences of opinion, yet no arguments have gone so far as to make us want to cut each other out completely from one another's lives.
@shlooper (309)
• United States
14 Jul 08
Thank you, I am just afraid that in this situation it could be enough to drive me apart from my family. My sister made the same decision and they nearly disowned her. I just don't know what to say to my mother. I know I NEED to talk to them, I just don't have a clue what I should say to them.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
14 Jul 08
Hi shlooper, If you feel strongly about this, talk to your parents, but don't let them change your mind. From what you have said, I feel certain that the religion is holding you back. I know people in a similar church and I can see what it is doing to them. Many religions are too restrictive and can do a great deal of harm, especially to young people. Always keep an open mind and respect the views of others. Blessings.
@sudalunts (5523)
• United States
14 Jul 08
If you feel strangely about leaving this religion, talk to your parents. A religion can not send you to hell, living a life of sin, without confessing your wrong doings and change your life is what sends you to hell. Sorry, but this sounds like a cult.
Just talk to your family, and let them know the reasons why you are leaving.
wishing you well
