Comments on: Christian-Friendly Deconversion Suggestions http://blog.dmcleish.id.au/2007/06/05/christian-friendly-deconversion-suggestions/ Ramblings on atheism and life from Sydney, Australia. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:38:46 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Eric Robeck http://blog.dmcleish.id.au/2007/06/05/christian-friendly-deconversion-suggestions/comment-page-1/#comment-24 Eric Robeck Wed, 06 Jun 2007 07:06:01 +0000 http://www.wordpress.dmcleish.id.au/?p=14#comment-24 Thank you for your excellent post! This is some of the most clear-headed advice I have heard (correction: read) regarding experimental religious belief. The value of your suggestions is that they are not offensive to people of faith, so there is some possibility they will be heeded. In fact, some level of personal experimentation is endemic to Christianity. In my own background of Mormonism, we are counseled to heed "Moroni's promise" (if you ask to know the truth, God will let you know). Unfortunately, subsequent periods of doubt are de-emphasized as they go against what you already "know", etc. This is a decidedly one-sided approach to religious experimentation, but it is the only one that seems to maintain faith long-term. I have not yet shared my deconversion with my family, including my wife. I have been waiting for the right moment as it will certainly be painful for them. When that time comes, I will invite them to follow your suggestions. I'll let you know if anything comes of it. Meanwhile, I look forward to your posts! My own blog will remain relatively faith-neutral until I have broken the news to my family (I don't want to offend my only readership!). Ultimately I hope to follow in the tradition you, chanson and others have established. After going so long without anyone to share these thoughts with, this blog community is a cool breeze in the desert. Thanks! Thank you for your excellent post! This is some of the most clear-headed advice I have heard (correction: read) regarding experimental religious belief. The value of your suggestions is that they are not offensive to people of faith, so there is some possibility they will be heeded. In fact, some level of personal experimentation is endemic to Christianity. In my own background of Mormonism, we are counseled to heed “Moroni’s promise” (if you ask to know the truth, God will let you know). Unfortunately, subsequent periods of doubt are de-emphasized as they go against what you already “know”, etc. This is a decidedly one-sided approach to religious experimentation, but it is the only one that seems to maintain faith long-term.

I have not yet shared my deconversion with my family, including my wife. I have been waiting for the right moment as it will certainly be painful for them. When that time comes, I will invite them to follow your suggestions. I’ll let you know if anything comes of it.

Meanwhile, I look forward to your posts! My own blog will remain relatively faith-neutral until I have broken the news to my family (I don’t want to offend my only readership!). Ultimately I hope to follow in the tradition you, chanson and others have established. After going so long without anyone to share these thoughts with, this blog community is a cool breeze in the desert.

Thanks!

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