Blogs and Religion

Quick thought: why is it that anytime a person admits in a blog or on a website that they are not a believer in Christianity, Christians start commenting on that blog post about how they found Jesus and believe that Jesus could solve all their problems? My old website had some essays I wrote a LONG time ago about why I was no longer a Christian, and I received some very hateful comments from people about why I was SO WRONG and GOING TO HELL. I also received long, thoughtful emails from people who were convinced they were going to change my mind. Perhaps they even prayed for me once or twice, as that nameless atheist girl on the internet who is going to BURN (I was, after all, Southern Baptist--I know all about the burning and gnashing of teeth that is supposed to await me).

Another quick thought: just because someone is not a Christian does not necessarily mean they are intolerant of religion, or are condescending. It's always a possibility, of course, but in terms of logic, non-Christian does not equal disrespectful toward Christians.

Unfortunately, for me, it's a line I have to watch out for. For a long time after declaring my non-religiousness, I was very angry at Christianity in general. I was mad at myself for having worked so hard for so long at something that made me so incredibly miserable, and I was mad at church for making me so unhappy. I really have to watch my tone, because sometimes I do get mad and snippy (less now than it used to be).

Last point: telling your Southern Baptist and Presbyterian (but Texan) family that you are not religious is almost as difficult (I'd imagine) as coming out of the closet as gay to the same group of people. I was so frightened for so long of telling my parents--I thought I'd be disowned or tarred and feathered. My dad tried to tell me that "well, you'll grow out of it," which I found offensive. I'm open to the possibility of changing my mind someday--1) I'm a woman and 2) I changed it once already. However, to assume that I'll rejoin the true believers one day is to say it's just a phase, silly little girl, I know what is best for you (or that's how I heard it, anyway).

Fortunately, just as many people say religion brought them together, my husband and I can honestly say that a lack of religion brought us together. And it's a beautiful thing.