Mainly to All You Wiccans-How do I "Come Out"?

[Justin]

Hahah, actually, God [i]did[/i] come down and show me that Christianity was the right way. If he hasn't done that for anyone else [i]claiming[/i] biblical Christianity, they should pray for Him to do so. Otherwise, what personal evidence and comfort do they have?

Unlike what most people assume, I did explore [i]many[/i] other positions before God came down and poured a bucket of cold water on me. I was quite dead-set against Christians--I found them arrogant. But there is arrogance in all kinds of people.

And to AzureWolf, and assuming that you are a Christian, I give this advice. I give it as someone with experience in the area: Don't look into other things. If God has never given you the Holy Spirit as your evidence, then pray for that. Jesus Himself said that the most effective prayer is enduring prayer. If God has given you the Spirit, then I shouldn't need to say this.

The reason I say that is not to 'save your soul'(though, that is important). But mainly because those who grow up in th faith, and keep their childlike faith, have the most awesome power, authority, calling, and ministry.

Hang tough, kid.

Now, back to the actual topic...

Logan, you say you've grown up in a Christian home. I'm going to go into my fantasy world and hope that your definition of that is the same one I have. Having said that, I don't fret over your choosing Wicca--your parents will pray for you, as will I when led of the Spirit to do so.

Being that you've come from a Christian background you've no-doubt already heard the sermon(God created us to be with Him; our sin seperated us from God; sin cannot be removed by good deeds--going to church, doing things half-way, blah blah; paying the price for sin, Jesus came down, died, and rose again, conquering death forever; everyone who turns their life over to Jesus will have life eternal; Life eternal means life forever in Paradise), that should be old stuff to you. Therefore, because you've heard the Gospel, but turned it away, you're subject to God's judgement(notice I said His, not mine. I have no clue what God will do, He has not spoken that to me). But I hope your mother's prayers are answered.

In the mean time, do whatever you want to do. You know [i]about[/i] God, so it won't be by preaching you come to [i]know[/i] Him.

-Justin

[GinnyLyn]

Most people have already said what I wanted to say. I also recall us having this conversation over AIM, dear Z--ah, Leh. I still stand by what I say.

I accept that this is your choice right now. I respect [i]you.[/i] And I hope you will continue to respect me as you always have. I don't agree with your beliefs, but that does not mean I have to go into HATE HATE KILL KILL BAD STUPID LEH mode everytime I see you. That's just stupid (and people wonder why there's so much hate running around, and fyi, for all of you, Christians are not the only group in the world to do this, so don't turn this into another [spoiler]damned[/spoiler] "Christianity is evil" thread.).

Realize that there is still going to be confrontational issues, to be sure. People will react louder and offendedly (mesa made new word, HA HA!). And I must tell you this, dear Leh, you [i]do[/i] have a short fuse. If you are quite serious about this, you will need to guard that fuse from blowing, else it will make everything much worse.

With all faiths/religions/sects/whatnot, there are people who disagree and oppose. I reiterate this one last time--I don't agree with your beliefs, but I do respect you.

Done. ^^

[Orien_Xel]

I had a lot of confusion over my own religion for awhile. I bounced all over the place. One day, however, I was in Church (I went to a Catholic school) I felt an incredible feeling of peace. So I ended up a Christian.

Anyway, that's just me. Your religion is your own choice. DOn't let others tell you what the proper idea is. Go with your gut feeling. As for your parents...I'm not sure. This thing never really happened to me. Good luck with 'em.

[DeathBug]

.....This is great and all, but Leh didn't ask for if we thought Leh's religious choice was the right one. Leh has already made Leh's decision, and has asked us for help in how to present it. It is very rude to assume that, just because what Leh has decided isn't what some oif us have decideded is the correct religion, to assume that Leh is wrong, or misguided, or going through a phase.

My mom always told me that two things you never discuss in casual conversation are religion and politics, and now I can see why: everyone has different views on them, and theyall believe strongly in these views.

I hope things turn out okay with you and your family, Leh. :)

[Ravenstorture]

[color=darkgreen][font=gothic]Threefold, eightfold, tenfold law. Doesn't work in the real world. I came out with my religion and got two years of hell - so much for sending out my love.

And harm it none... who gives a damn. People are nasty, and stupid, and your family, hopefully, will be an exception. But don't expect anyone else to be. [/color][/font]

[Doukeshi]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by DeathBug [/i]
[B]
My mom always told me that two things you never discuss in casual conversation are religion and politics, and now I can see why: everyone has different views on them, and theyall believe strongly in these views.
[/B][/QUOTE]
I hear that, religious conversations never end well. However, sometimes things need to be discussed, and it doesn't do to "get your knickers in a twist" over other peoples advice DeathBug, you're taking it like it's personal.

Anyway, Leh, buddy, I think that, if you're totally sure on this (as with any religion DB ¬_¬) you should tell your parents. I wonder why people need to know these things, it really isn't important to anyone else but you (I don't mean that in a derogatory way) people believe different things. but if you feel that you really feel you should tell your parents then the best way to go about it is to start a conversation about religion in general, then state "this is what I believe" or something along those lines. They might not like it at first, but acceptance grows, especially in a family (most of the time ^_~)

I suppose you'd have to tell them sooner or later, what with all your religious parafenalia entering the house (if it's that strong of course cos I mean some religious people don't do anything other than pray etc without stuff). But I'm sure they'd notice sooner or later.

I mean this post with the best and possibly useful intent so I'd appreciate noone picking at my post and complaining kay *smiles sweetly* ^_~

[Transtic Nerve]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Justin [/i]
[B]Hahah, actually, God [i]did[/i] come down and show me that Christianity was the right way. If he hasn't done that for anyone else [i]claiming[/i] biblical Christianity, they should pray for Him to do so. Otherwise, what personal evidence and comfort do they have?
[/B][/QUOTE]

What does he look like? Does he have a beard and wear all white like everyone says? A deep voice, one that echoes when he speaks?

I know alot of Christians and Catholics and whatever. No one has ever said God came to them. You must be one hell of a special person if God took time out of his busy schedule to pour water on you.

I really have alot of questions for him that I've been asking over many of years and he certainly hasn't come down to answer them for me. Next time you see him, tell him I'm waiting... and 'till he, or that Jesus fellow, does come down and speak to me personally, well he doesn't have my faith in Christianity.

[Semjaza]

X-tian? People can't even type out Christian anymore? lol

[Justin]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Transtic Nerve [/i]
[B]What does he look like? Does he have a beard and wear all white like everyone says? A deep voice, one that echoes when he speaks?[/quote]
To ask that kind of question is to be ignorant of what you question. God is not a man, and is not in the form of a man. He is an omnipresent Spirit.

[quote]I know alot of Christians and Catholics and whatever. No one has ever said God came to them. You must be one hell of a special person if God took time out of his busy schedule to pour water on you.[/quote]
God speaks to humans through the Holy Spirit. This is biblical, and anyone with a true heart of God has experienced it, whether they know it or not. I'm no one special(you should know as well as anyone that my 'cold water' statement was figurative.), all I did was want eveything He's willing to give.

[quote]I really have alot of questions for him that I've been asking over many of years and he certainly hasn't come down to answer them for me. Next time you see him, tell him I'm waiting... and 'till he, or that Jesus fellow, does come down and speak to me personally, well he doesn't have my faith in Christianity. [/B][/QUOTE]

"Seek and ye shall find...ask and ye shall recieve"

You seek, you'll find. You've asked of me, you'll recieve that which you have asked.

-Justin

[James]

[color=#707875]I have to agree with doukeshi03 here. Religion is a personal belief system...it's something that every individual makes some sort of decision on.

Your religious beliefs do not necessarily affect those around you...nor are they necessarily anyone's business. It's mostly a question of how much you want to tell your parents and what you think is appropriate for them to know.

If I made a decision today about following a particular religion, I wouldn't hide it from anyone, but I also wouldn't shout it from the rooftops. It's like having a particular political ideology. Some people like to keep their political beliefs entirely secret, while others want to go around and preach to everyone. And most people probably fall somewhere in the middle. So as I said, it's just a question of how much you think you need to explain to those around you.[/color]

[Losing Faith]

Organized religion generally leads to downfalls; of the individual, or, the masses. Personally, I'd rather just keep what I believed to myself, or, share it only with people that can believe like me/accept that others are different. I haven't read this whole thread, but, if you HAVE to come out, go ahead. Otherwise, just let it be.

'Cause in the end,
everything you do
is just everything you've done'.

[DeathBug]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by doukeshi03 [/i]
[B]I hear that, religious conversations never end well. However, sometimes things need to be discussed, and it doesn't do to "get your knickers in a twist" over other peoples advice DeathBug, you're taking it like it's personal.
[/B][/QUOTE]

I'm not actually taking it personally, because I'm an unbiased party. I'm just a bit exasperated with the attitude shown.

It seems that some posters don't get that Leh has decided that Wicca is the belief system Leh wants to follow. That's not at all what this thread was about. seriously, the word "Christianity" shouldn't have come up because this wasn't meant to be a religious discussion; Leh was simply asking for help with a personal problem.

Leh was not looking to be converted to another belief system, but apparently several people know what's better for Leh a lot more than Leh does.

[eleanor]

[size=1] I thought this thread was about helping Leh break the news to his family? Lol.

Hey, if Leh says he's sure about this, then I'll beleive that he's sure about this. Like I said before....do it when you're ready and you feel that the time is right. Everyone's beliefs are different, and you should respect them.

My friend Jean as a Catholic, probably an avid one at that. When I told her I was Athiest, she didn't give a rat's ***. Maybe she thought I was slowly going insane, but at least she didn't rant about it. She probably does think I'm going to burn in Hell....but whatever.

It's probably a fact that your parents might talk to you for a while since they're devoted Christians, but if they love you, they'll get over it. [/size]

[Doukeshi]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by DeathBug [/i]
[B]I'm not actually taking it personally, because I'm an unbiased party. I'm just a bit exasperated with the attitude shown.

It seems that some posters don't get that Leh has decided that Wicca is the belief system Leh wants to follow. That's not at all what this thread was about. seriously, the word "Christianity" shouldn't have come up because this wasn't meant to be a religious discussion; Leh was simply asking for help with a personal problem.

Leh was not looking to be converted to another belief system, but apparently several people know what's better for Leh a lot more than Leh does. [/B][/QUOTE]

okay, I don't want this to develop into an argument, cause it's Leh's thread and I don't want to hijack it as it were. Noone is trying to convert him, people are just trying to give advice in the best way they know how, and also trying to gauge how his folks'll react.

Like James said, [b]"it's just a question of how much you think you need to explain to those around you"[/b] If you really think you need to I'd say go for it and get it over with, they're gonna react the same way however you put it so you might as well put it to them as soon as you're ready, cos they'll never be ready.