Converts and lifestyle changes (atheist, pagan, LDS, Isaac, faith)

[Moni_Gail]

For those that converted to their present religious persuasion, how did you deal with the lifestyle changes? Were there many? Is it still difficult?

For example, when my family converted to LDS we took the no tea and coffee bit pretty hard. Sounds like something small, but come on, we're from the South and NEED our sweet tea! Honestly though, I found that any lifestyle changes weren't easy for me. Not that it was THAT hard to give up, but I had so many years already where those things were the norm, so when I went into the fridge looking for it I had to actually remind myself. Well, that's one of the small changes, but the only example I could think of at the moment.

[Booko]

I had to give up booze. It was much more difficult than I thought. I don't think anyone realizes how integral a part it is for social gatherings until they quit drinking completely. I lost friends over it.

My approach I took from Isaac Asimov, a notable atheist teetotaler: He always drank club soda and lime in public, which looks the same as a gin & tonic. That way he didn't get any flak from anyone else, and no one (wrongly) assumed that his not drinking was some sort of "judgement" on them.

It helped a bit, but there was still fallout. Like when the waitress takes your order and then loudly says, "is that ALL???"

Let's see, and then there was the time when at lunch with coworkers someone asked me if I was pregnant. Uh...I wasn't married. It didn't embarass me, but he was pretty embarassed by the faux pas.

Do you ever get that? If you're not drinking it must be because you're pregnant or the designated driver? Or maybe you're an alcoholic staying dry, though I haven't gotten that (yet).

There are other, deeper demands made on my lifestyle, though. Staying away from gossip is difficult even if one is not inclined to gossip.

I had to get a lot nicer, too. "Courtesy is the prince of virtues" and all that.

Hm, there are so many things. I had to learn to get along with people who were radically unlike me, not just socially and culturally, but personality wise. It was a real challenge for me at first to have to deal with the more intuitive types, but in a short while I began to not only tolerate but appreciate the usefulness of the intuitive approach to life.

[Moni_Gail]

Originally Posted by Booko

Do you ever get that? If you're not drinking it must be because you're pregnant or the designated driver? Or maybe you're an alcoholic staying dry, though I haven't gotten that (yet).

No, I've never gotten that. Though I can't drink alcohol because I'm allergic. Odd, I know. I get the most horrendous pains in my shoulders, chest, and it's hard to breathe. So people are just use to me not drinking.

[Feathers in Hair]

Originally Posted by Moni_Gail

For those that converted to their present religious persuasion, how did you deal with the lifestyle changes? Were there many? Is it still difficult?

For example, when my family converted to LDS we took the no tea and coffee bit pretty hard. Sounds like something small, but come on, we're from the South and NEED our sweet tea! Honestly though, I found that any lifestyle changes weren't easy for me. Not that it was THAT hard to give up, but I had so many years already where those things were the norm, so when I went into the fridge looking for it I had to actually remind myself. Well, that's one of the small changes, but the only example I could think of at the moment.

Hehee, my family moved to South Carolina when I was 3 or so and my sister was 1. She had the worst allergies, but then someone started feeding her bottled iced tea, and that stopped immeadiately! I never got the taste for it, though.

For my 'converted' faith (from Christianity to Paganism), it mostly has to do with how I see myself. And even that is mostly just a self-kick-in-the-rear to try to remind myself to treat myself the way I'd want others to be treated.

[Moni_Gail]

Originally Posted by Feathers in Hair

...treat myself the way I'd want others to be treated.

That's the first I've ever heard it said in that way. I like it.

[Booko]

Originally Posted by Moni_Gail

No, I've never gotten that. Though I can't drink alcohol because I'm allergic. Odd, I know. I get the most horrendous pains in my shoulders, chest, and it's hard to breathe. So people are just use to me not drinking.

You aren't allergic to wheat or gluten, by chance?

[Moni_Gail]

Originally Posted by Booko

You aren't allergic to wheat or gluten, by chance?

Nope, it's something to do with the fermentation. My absolute fave has always been wine.

[Booko]

Originally Posted by Moni_Gail

Nope, it's something to do with the fermentation. My absolute fave has always been wine.

Yeah, mine too. Giving up really good bordeaux was the worst of all.

[BruceDLimber]

Hi!

(As usual, I seem to belong to the one-percent group!)

When I became a Baha'i, it involved no lifestyle changes.

And while I've endeavored to improve myself both before and since, my basic makeup and values haven't shifted significantly, though I do hope and pray I'm a better person now (and always) than ever before. . . .

Just lucky, maybe . . . :-)

Peace,

Bruce

[James the Persian]

Originally Posted by Moni_Gail

For those that converted to their present religious persuasion, how did you deal with the lifestyle changes?

Badly at first, now not so bad, though I have to say that the dificulties were compounded by my being in the west.

Were there many?

Oh yes. Different calendars, frequent fasts, having to get used to check the calendar to see if it's a fast, celebrating name days over birthdays, a completely different outlook on the feasts etc. It was a really big change.

Is it still difficult?

At times. Sometimes I get surprised by a fast (or the lack of one) or a major feast creeps up without me noticing, and Great Lent can be difficult - particularly towards the end - and it really is difficult to keep the Nativity Lent