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Ex-Christians: How do current Christians treat you?

Sand Dancer

Crazy Cat Lady
I still have some friends who are Christian, and those that know have treated me in different ways. One, a very dear friend, does not treat me any differently. Another is civil yet very cool, and I don't mean she's hip. Many others don't know, but I don't see them often, so I haven't mentioned it. I still bow my head when they pray over meals, etc. Yeah, I go along to get along. I don't want to be treated differently. What about you?
 

loverofhumanity

We are all the leaves of one tree
Premium Member
I used to be Catholic but now am Baha’i. I have a lot of Christian friends and they are beautiful people treating my wife and I who are Baha’is with the utmost courtesy, kindness and respect. We have meals together. we go to church with them sometimes and they’ve visited the Baha’i Temple too and we have very good friendship.
 

ChristineM

"Be strong", I whispered to my coffee.
Premium Member
It all depends on the person. My best friend is Christian, the only Christian that stood by me when the others were mocking my disability.

The only people who have tried to hurt me either physically or emotionally have been christian.

Despite france being a secular country there is much Christianity about. Around 50% of the population are Christians. I get on with the ones i know just fine.
 

Sand Dancer

Crazy Cat Lady
I used to be Catholic but now am Baha’i. I have a lot of Christian friends and they are beautiful people treating my wife and I who are Baha’is with the utmost courtesy, kindness and respect. We have meals together. we go to church with them sometimes and they’ve visited the Baha’i Temple too and we have very good friendship.
That's really great. I hope more people have experiences like that.
 

Sand Dancer

Crazy Cat Lady
It all depends on the person. My best friend is Christian, the only Christian that stood by me when the others were mocking my disability.

The only people who have tried to hurt me either physically or emotionally have been christian.

Despite france being a secular country there is much Christianity about. Around 50% of the population are Christians. I get on with the ones i know just fine.
Wow, I am sorry you have had such bad experiences, but glad to know your best friend stuck with you. Friendships should withstand religious changes.
 

Viker

Häxan
A couple of my friends and most of my family are Christian. They don't treat me bad or any different. All of them know about my religion, most completely look past that.

Christians in general treat me with respect and care. Although, I think a few might be "faking" it in hopes I may "come back" to my senses.

I actually believe a few are intimidated, perhaps.
 

lewisnotmiller

Grand Hat
Staff member
Premium Member
Most treat me fine. But to be fair, it's a loooong time since anyone would have described me as Christian, so even my oldest friends know me as 'an atheist who occasionally went to church for some strange reason, probably a girl.'

The casualy religious sometimes ask me questions about various beliefs (including sometimes their own). The more serious generally won't, but I guess deep down they think I'm heading to a large bbq at some point. Anyway, they have more knowledge of their own religion, and less interest in other religions, I would say.
 

Sgt. Pepper

All you need is love.
I've had both positive and negative interactions with the Christians I know in real life since I renounced my faith two years ago.
 

loverofhumanity

We are all the leaves of one tree
Premium Member
It all depends on the person. My best friend is Christian, the only Christian that stood by me when the others were mocking my disability.

The only people who have tried to hurt me either physically or emotionally have been christian.

Despite france being a secular country there is much Christianity about. Around 50% of the population are Christians. I get on with the ones i know just fine.
Then they were not truly Christian but Christian in name only.
 

Sand Dancer

Crazy Cat Lady
I wouldn't know because I'm not "out", for fear of reprisal.
Yeah, if I were to meet up with most of my old church friends, unless asked, I probably wouldn't disclose. My husband recently met up with an old friend from church, and we knew the question would come up, and it did: The inevitable "So where are you going to church now?" He was truthful and the guy was great about it. It gives me hope.
 

Sand Dancer

Crazy Cat Lady
Most treat me fine. But to be fair, it's a loooong time since anyone would have described me as Christian, so even my oldest friends know me as 'an atheist who occasionally went to church for some strange reason, probably a girl.'

The casualy religious sometimes ask me questions about various beliefs (including sometimes their own). The more serious generally won't, but I guess deep down they think I'm heading to a large bbq at some point. Anyway, they have more knowledge of their own religion, and less interest in other religions, I would say.
It's very nice to have moved to a new place where I don't have to walk on egg shells. Of course the subject of religion has never come up, which is great. Everyone is kind of all over as far as religion and we don't really care.
 

Left Coast

This Is Water
Staff member
Premium Member
I still have some friends who are Christian, and those that know have treated me in different ways. One, a very dear friend, does not treat me any differently. Another is civil yet very cool, and I don't mean she's hip. Many others don't know, but I don't see them often, so I haven't mentioned it. I still bow my head when they pray over meals, etc. Yeah, I go along to get along. I don't want to be treated differently. What about you?

Most Christians I know in real life are generally cordial and pleasant in routine interactions. The biggest issues I've had have arisen over my coming out as gay. My parents were quite against it and still are, sadly. One family friend took me to lunch (and paid for it) all to ultimately tell me that I a) should not use reason to question the truth of the Bible and b) would go to Hell if I didn't give up my "lifestyle." I've subsequently interacted with very progressive Christians, several of whom are gay, who are lovely people.

The internet is different because people grow internet balls, and people of all stripes have said all sorts of awful things to me. But we take the good with the bad, I suppose.
 
Oh so sorry you had some problems with some of your Christian friends, but it's nice to find out who your real friends are! I'm glad your best friend still supports you.

For me it's been really hard because of my status. I still consider myself a Christian even though I'm also a witch and Wicca/Shaman friendly.

It's very strange because they hate me more than they would hate a pure Wicca witch. At least a Wicca Witch doesn't know any better in their eyes, but because I say I'm a Christian they see me more as a threat to their religion. A witch can't be a Christian in their eyes, so if I say I can, I am undermining their authority.

At any rate I don't have any animosity towards Christians, but I don't think I can ever go in any church again. I couldn't go to a service knowing there are too many people in the congregation that are so upset I'm there, they lose focus in the God they worship.
 

Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
I still have some friends who are Christian, and those that know have treated me in different ways. One, a very dear friend, does not treat me any differently. Another is civil yet very cool, and I don't mean she's hip. Many others don't know, but I don't see them often, so I haven't mentioned it. I still bow my head when they pray over meals, etc. Yeah, I go along to get along. I don't want to be treated differently. What about you?
Most Christians are essentially nice well intentioned people.

Most think your going to Hell too. "0)

That's been my experience.
 
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