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Agnostic
I feel really awkward when people ask me about my religion and stuff because i'm agnostic and don't think there is a way to prove if god is real or not. I really don't want to tell my friends that because most of them are really religious and i'm scared they wouldn't like me if I did. Why do people think it's such a big deal if you don't believe in god? I don't know if I should tell them or not.
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Maybe give some free advice about: Spirituality?
yeah damn straight im cool..
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its a big deal because god is the reason your here.If there was no god there would be no athests or agnostic ppl riiiite?!When you die it doesnt end it only just begins,God gave you the greatest gift ever,a BRAIN to think with and you should use it.
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i honestly don't feel that your friends are true to you if they tell you anything besides that they don't mind what you believe or what you practice or what your opinions are. you are entitled to be who you are and who you want to be and no one has the right to tell you otherwise. there's obviously going to be people that are gonna wanna bring you down because they truly feel that you are wrong. but those people are the ones that might have their own issues they want to take out on others.
so personally, if your friend are really friends, they shouldn't care
you might have different opinions, but so what? everyone is different. you shouldn't be treated differently based on who you are and what you believe.
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Hey. Personally, I get confused with religion too. I try not to categorize myself into a certain religious background, but goign to a Catholic school can make that a little difficult. Before I say anything else though, I want to say I AM NOT GOING TO FORCE MY RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ON YOU.
However, faith is all about believeing in what you can't see. By faith, I choose to believe that God is real, faith doesn't need proof. no matter what the religion, many people have faith and choose to believe in God. (I think we all need something to believe in) Really though, I think you should tell your friends how you feel, they should understand. I really hope this helps. Good Luck
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You need to be honest with your friends and if they are real friends they will like you for who you are and it won't matter too much. However, don't engage in arguments with them about your beliefs. You are entitled to your own opinion and it's a part of you so accept it, and if they're good friends then they will too. Personally, I don't believe in God, but most of my friends are Catholic. Just don't let it bother you at all, and it won't bother your friends either.
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Be truthful to yourself and your friends. This does not mean you have to defend your every belief or divulge every detail on what you think about God, the universe, politics, sex, or anything else...some things can be and should be private. Friends, especially close friends have to be vulnerable at some point, but you can still disagree and be friends. I have friends of many faiths and of no faith. The problem some religious people have is not with you and your beliefs, but in trying to be consistant in their own beliefs. If you believed I was going to be killed in a car accident today and did nothing to warn me, then you would be a horrible person. Your friends will want to save you from what they believe will harm you. This is not because they are judgemental, but because they are convinced of what they believe and are really worried. Some may not be as seriously religious and not worry about your different beliefs or lack of faith in a God. Take them individually and tell them and not at once, so you don't feel ganged up on. You will find out their feelings and they will adjust to yours.
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if they are true friends it doesnt matter if they know or not, because either way they will still be your friends. start out by just telling your best friend, and as you get more comfortable talking about it start telling more and more of your friends.
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I do not support organized religion. When I tell people what I believe I receive various reactions... Typically the aforementioned reactions fall into one of these catagories...
a.) "I agree."
b.) "I disagree... But I believe that you are entitled to your opinion and have no desire to convert you. Let's just agree to disagree."
c.) "You're going to hell. The thought of you suffering eternal damnation disturbs me so much that I'm going to try to convert you... Or at least nag you about the topic incessantly."
d.) "You're going to hell... And I really don't care. But you're lack of faith disturbs me, so I'm going to stop talking to you."
Why do people feel this way? Well... Everyone is different so the answer varies from person to person. For some... Your beliefs are unfamiliar and they are unable to relate. Humans have the tendency to fear what they do not understand... So because they can't relate to you, they are uncomfortable around you. For others... It's the need to be "right." We humans have another odd tendency... We want to be perfect. (Even though we know it's impossible.) And part of being perfect is being "right." The fact that you are saying that they aren't "right" infuriates them because they interpret your beliefs as a personal attack (you're accusing them of being "wrong" and thus imperfect) or an attack against the religion that they associate themselves with. And for others... It's fear. They believe what they believe so strongly that they really do believe you are going to hell... And the thought terrifies them. Or just terrified that anyone can believe as you and NOT be afraid.
Either way... It doesn't really matter. Like you said... No one can prove that God exists... No one knows the answer. We never will... All we can do is believe. But believing is your decision. And you are entitled to believe as you will.
So don't be afraid to be an independent thinker. And don't be afraid to be yourself. Even if that means that you and your friends have some akwards conversations. Even if your friends aren't your friends anymore. Because if they can't accept you as you are... They weren't very good friends to begin with. You're probably better off without them.
I know the prospect of losing your friends might sound scary. But try not be afraid. Because you are going to meet other people that share your beliefs... Or who are at least big enough to agree to disagree. And until you do... You're not alone.
And it sounds to me like part of your problem is that you feel like you aren't being true to yourself. While I suggest being true to yourself... I will also tell you that being honest doesn't mean that you have to advertise your belief system. Being honest is just that... Being honest with yourself, and being honest with the people that care about you. The people that care about you will be able to handle to your honesty... And the people who can't handle it probably didn't really care.
If you're looking for a way to approach the topic... Who said that you have to? If you don't feel comfortable approaching the topic... Don't. And if your friends approach the topic and you still don't feel comfortable... That's okay. You could just say... Well... The truth. "No offense, but I don't feel comfortable discussing my personal beliefs." Just as you are entitled to believe as you wish, you are equally entitled to say that you just...don't want to talk about it.
Chin up. ;)
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i know how you feel- i've gone all my life (14 years, after 14 i became agnostic) with eople thinking i'm christian it wasn't until recently that i REALLY thought about it and decided to become agnostic. and frankly im pushing atheism.
Christians in particular are the ones who bug me about religion. As the people who told me say, "All Christians want everyone to go to heaven, so we have to spread the word so we are not the only ones going to heaven." and i have a hard time believing there is a heaven. but just tell them that you are entitled to your own beliefs and that they should respect it because you are not questioning theirs.
what has helped for me is that i have started to attend a Unitarian Universalist Church. They practice every religion and do not discriminate. i actually enjoy it there, and now when people ask where i go to church, i tell them. but most people also think that Unitarians are weird. and i guess you just have hold your ground and not let other people influence you no matter WHAT they think.
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Everyone else pretty much said it right, but I'd like to tell you that, being Agnostic is when you believe in a higher power, but just not "God".
I'm an Atheist myself, which is not believing in anything.
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You shouldn't say that you believe proving God's existence is impossible. That would upset your friends, and they would probably rant about how he exists.
Instead, tell them something like you are confused about God, or that you haven't really made a decision.
You might even want to say that talking about God makes you feel uncomfortable. They would most likely stop asking about it.
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if they really were religious, they wouldnt stop liking you because of your religion
they might try to get you to come to church with them, just to see if you could accept jesus, but if you dont believe there is one, then at least they tried
telling the truth would probably be the best thing
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personally i do not think i believe in god either...but i'd like to believe that there is some higher power. i don't classify myself as anything because religion isn't a huge part of my life, but if it is a big part of your life i think you should. i have no idea why people think it is such a big deal because in my opinion it isn't. people can believe what they want and i think that people are annoying when they try to push their religion or what they believe on you. tell them if it's something important to you.
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There is an old saying that goes "don't talk about your relgious beleifs or politics as it will always lead to trouble." If this subject comes up just tell them matter of fact that your family doesn't discuss their religious beliefs or political beliefs or ties with anyone.
Tell them that your family feels that such views are private and personal and to respect your decision. It really isn't any of their damn business anyways or for them to judge.
I really cannot tell you why some people feel it's a big deal what someone else believes about God when they should focus on themselves and their beleifs about it. At any rate I wouldn't worry about it but I would keep your beliefs under your vest.
If anyone continues to bother you about keeping it private ask them why it matters so much to them? If they share their beliefs or want to convert you tell them thanks for sharing but I have my own beliefs thank you and walk away.
They'll understand and or get it that it's a topic not to bother you with. Your religion, your political ties any of that are your private business. You don't have to talk about it or explain it to anyone else.
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Its your choice to tell them or not. I think you should. Its part of who you are...just like their religion is part of who they are. You accept them for their Religion why shouldnt they accept you. If they don't they truly arent your friends.
ALWAYS&&FOREVER
MELiSSA
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