Posted by Mair on January 7, 2002, at 8:35:26
In reply to Reading the bible has helped with my depression !!, posted by janejj on January 7, 2002, at 0:42:01
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"Now I am going to try my best to tell people about Jesus. I know its going to hard though, cos peoples reactions to stuff like that isn't generally good. I hang around with people who aren't religious at all, so I hope they still want to know me after I tell them. I think I'm being a bit paranoid about telling people, oh well!"This is the part of religious rebirths that I've never understood - the feeling that you have to repeatedly broadcast it. I had a cousin who was "born again" several years ago and no one wanted to be around her for years because it dominated every conversation with her and was the basis of alot of unsolicited advice. Eventually she calmed down significantly. While still very religious, she is now much easier to take. Understand that the uninitiated are going to feel like you're cramming it down their throats in the same sense that you once resented your parents' influence. I'm happy for you if this is a positive in your life, and I understand that this is something that you want to tell your friends about, but just don't go too far too fast. I know lots of stalwart Christians for whom faith is extremely important yet who are also able to accept the lesser faith of their friends and do not feel the need to judge or persuade. You may feel that you fall into this category, but the more it dominates your conversations, the more coercive it feels to others who don't share your views.
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Please don't take this as criticism - just the view of someone who is uncomfortable around people who are very voluable about new found faith.Mair
PS: I hope you're right about your depression
poster:Mair
thread:16364
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020102/msgs/16371.html