Comments on: An Atheist in Christian Clothing: What Should He Do?

By: Richard Wade

Richard Wade — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:26:04 +0000

Closeted, that was an inspiring story. Thank you for posting it. Everybody, go read it.

Oh yes. If no one has already suggested it, you should write all your experiences down as you go through this process. I is very good book material. The income could be very helpful if you find yourself between jobs.

By: Closeted in Academia

Closeted in Academia — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:29:40 +0000

I came out to my wife tonight....

By: Vera

Vera — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:24:43 +0000

I’m fairly far underground myself. Although I don’t work for the church, my husband does, and until or unless he leaves, I have no intention of getting in his way. It’s painful for him, and he can’t quite understand how I came to this point, but we’re both hanging in there, and rather well, most of the time. I think it would be silly of me to leave him because he’s a Christian, just as I think it would be silly for him to leave me because I no longer believe (although I can be a bit wishywashy on the belief thing). Nonetheless, he is bearing some of the consequences of my unbelief, and that’s painful for both of us.

Is he doing the right thing by not coming out? Perhaps. Is there only one right action in his circumstances? Depends on where you’re standing.

By: Flonkbob

Flonkbob — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:42:19 +0000

Hard call. Very hard. I’ve lived this situation (not exactly of course, no two lives are that close) and it isn’t easy. I worried that I would lose my marriage, friends, community, support system, everything.

I did.

Because at some point my own sense of self respect and self worth was at risk. I worried that I’d lose too much for nothing. But, in comparison to what I have gained in life by being honest and open about who I am and what I believe, I haven’t lost much at all. I’m happy now. And free. That’s worth a lot.

By: Working for Christians « Unreasonable Faith

Working for Christians « Unreasonable Faith — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:45:28 +0000

[...] 3, 2008 by Daniel Florien Friendly Atheist has a post about one of his readers who is an atheist working for a Christian organization: He has been working at a Christian university for several years, but during his time there, he [...]

By: Maria

Maria — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:53:38 +0000

I stayed with a company that was strongly Christian for many years because I was well paid. I left this year and I cannot believe how much happier I am. The money wasn’t worth living a lie. Being true to your convictions = priceless.

By: Closeted in Academia

Closeted in Academia — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:24:18 +0000

Thanks everyone. I've posted a response on my brand new blog. Hope you all will come and visit.

By: Thanks for all the responses « Closeted in Academia

Thanks for all the responses « Closeted in Academia — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:17:55 +0000

[...] 3, 2008 · No Comments Wow, I guess Friendly Atheist means just that! After posting my story, the kindness and helpfulness of the replies was, well, really friendly. I am thinking about making [...]

By: Closeted in Academia

Closeted in Academia — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:44:32 +0000

Ron Brown said:

The critic’s response was: What kind of friends are they if they’re going to abandon you for changing your mind.

You know I have never actually sopped to think about that question. But a friend lost is a friend lost. Ron is right, of course, in that a conditional friendship really is no friendship. Neither is a conditional marriage I suppose. Time to bite the bullet?

By: Nancy

Nancy — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:53:21 +0000

Can you rationalize your church attendance, and participation in other religious activities, with the reasoning that you are not offending god by not believing, since there isn’t one? That makes sense to me, but every time I go to church I just cannot wait to get out, so I wouldn’t last long in a situation like yours. On the other hand, I’m OK with saying “under god” during the Pledge.