Quote:
Originally Posted by The David  I think it's like this: I don't rationally believe in the Christian God. But yes, some unconscious part of me still believes that I'm going to somehow end up being tormented after death. I suppose I believe there still could be such a God. |
I've experienced this to a smaller degree (seeing as my family's brand of Christianity was only slightly condemning). All I can say is that it should get better over time, especially if you surround yourself with like-minded friends.
I also string my parents along to some degree... I don't want to scare them by telling them that I don't believe in all that anymore, so I let them think that I do believe it but just don't like going to church.
I know that's not the healthiest way to approach things, but seeing as one of the reasons I rejected Christianity was pain over the thought of friends I loved going to hell, I don't want to put my parents through that, too.
It may always linger a little bit, though. Like, even though I don't consider myself Christian and don't really worry about hell, etc., I still hesitate to formalize it by even privately rejecting my confirmation vows or baptism. There's a lot of fear, there.