Comments on: Would Your Friends Stay if You Converted?

By: Badger3k

Badger3k — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:08:30 +0000

My friends would think I’m crazy, but I wouldn’t be the first of our friends to go batshit insane (i.e. turn to superstitious twaddle). My “witch” (wiccan) roommate and neice might both look at me more closely, but that’s probably it. What would matter most is not what I believed, but how I acted on it. if I started preaching, I might lose friends, because most of mine are not patient with codswallop (and like my sister-in-law said, she was surprised the chapel for their wedding didn’t burn down from all the heretics in it.

By: Mojoey

Mojoey — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:27:52 +0000

It was long time ago. I can say that not one of my friends remain from my days as a christian. Most friendships evaporated soon after I became and atheist. If I were to convert back… I don’t really know. I have a few Atheist friends, but most the people I know are Christians. I think it would be like I joined the team again. I’d be welcomed back so to speak.

By: Rose

Rose — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:12:57 +0000

So, this question only includes Christian? Going from Jewish (reform) to secure nonbeliever to Christian…. sounds like a big leap. My Skeptics Meetup friends would laugh for sure! I’m even laughing now at the idea!!!

By: Polly

Polly — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:59:17 +0000

Would Your Friends Stay if You Converted?

I guess it depends on whether my friends would be willing to visit me in the sanitarium, because I’d have to be lobotomized in order to become a xian again.

By: Autumn

Autumn — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:08:20 +0000

If I became a fundy xtian, I’d be so different to how I am now that my friends would be perfectly justified in wanting to sever ties.

By: Lynx

Lynx — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:07:36 +0000

Hmmm I don’t expect any of my friends would leave, though I can think of one I’d end up having rather heated debates with. Inside my family everyone would think I’m insane, but I wouldn’t expect any permanent breaks, though I don’t think my dad would take it very well.

Now, if I became evangelical and tried to convert everyone, the thing changes rather quickly. I think plenty of people would find reason to distance themselves if I decided to go on a crusade for their souls.

By: hoverFrog

hoverFrog — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:15:01 +0000

I don’t think my friends would care but I know that my partner would take the children and run if I became a Jehovah’s Witness. She think that they’re all crazy. Dangerously crazy.

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:04:19 +0000

I used to be a Baptist minister’s wife before divorcing last year. I can tell you for sure that I did indeed lose a few friends. But I learned that the friends I lost were not nearly as great as the friends I gained. I feel a lot freer to be myself and to assert my opinions. Now I just say what I think, and those who want to be my friends, great. If not, that’s okay too. My new boyfriend is far better than my ex husband ever was. In church, you always hear about people who come to Christ and are much happier. For me, the opposite is true.

By: Adam

Adam — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:35:03 +0000

I always joke with my wife that if she becomes a democrat (again) or religious, then we’ll have to take different paths, but I say it in jest because we are both proud libertarians and atheists and all of our friends know it. We talk about politics and religion (or lack thereof) with all of our friends and even when we disagree, we agree to disagree.

I think that is what makes friendships fun.
In fact, I think that we tend to get along better with some Christians than any socialist leaning people out there. Especially with the elections coming up. The whole lesser of two evils thing irritates the hell out of me.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:45:22 +0000

I don’t know that it would affect my relationships much. I have few atheist friends, except for online, anyway! My friends and family are a pretty good split between liberal and conservative as well, (probably more conservative if I really counted, definitely more conservatives that I’m in regular, day to day contact with), so that probably would matter to much either.
Overall, I’d say if I became a Christian, or a conservative, a lot of people would probably like me better.
Ew. Just typing that gave me the willies…