Weird weekend...

[Kaylara]

I've had a very strange weekend... My teacher has converted to Christianity, and I'm having rather mixed emotions on it. I'm kind of upset, because I'm worried that he's not going to want to remain friends with me, I'm happy for him because he seems like he really is happy. Lotsa conflict in me right now... I think that the best thing for me to do is just to support his decision, and try to move on and remain friends with him... Advice anyone?

Kaylara

[MistOfTheSea86]

If you guys have been friends, you should remain that way no matter the religious choice. If he starts to say mean things then you can speak up and ask him to be respectful but if he doesn't, dont act like anything has really changed. JUst add this small thing to the other list of small things:) You guys should be just fine:)

[StarryDancer]

Hey there, Kaylara -- sounds to me like you're on the right track. You didn't say what he's the teacher of -- but even if he was a spiritual teacher, there may still be much he can teach you. Finding your own spirituality is a journey, not a destination. So you'd be right to support his decision. If the two of you remain on the same path, you may remain friends, but don't be surprised if your paths separate soon. And that's ok, too. Other friends will come along your path.

[MammaStar]

I think you're on the right track with supporting him in his decision and remaining friends. I have a very good friend who is now Born-Again. When we were kids, he & I were the "heavy metal" kids. He had hair "longer than Jesus" (said by his Mom on a few occassions), rail thin, always wore leather & spikes. Then he got married & moved to Arkansas. We hadn't spoken in a while, and when we did get back in touch,he told me was Born-Again. In the very beginning of his conversion, it was tough for a while to be friends. He was just getting comfortable, I think, with his religon & was taking every word as the "end all be all" (IMO). I limited my contact for a while, but he did get me on AIM one nite, and he's not as preachy anymore. Even respects that I've found my own path, though he thinks I'm gonna burn in hell for it. :lol: One thing we've agreed is, we don't discuss religon. It's how we deal with things. We talk about everything else under the sun, just not that. He's still one of my closest friends as well.

Hope that helped.

[Kaylara]

He truly is my mentor... I've always respected, looked up to, and loved him. As long as I've known him, he's really been able to help me a lot. He was the one who started me in a better direction than the one I had been going in... He started me on the road, and made sure that he was there to help me every step of the way even if he wasn't physically there. It's just very strange to have our paths split like this... I let him know when he told me that I completely support his decision, and will always love him... I'm just a little conflicted about this... (No I'm not going to convert, I'm just trying to figure out how the world just turned me on my ear...)

Kaylara

[Al_Chemist]

Friendships can usually transcend this sort of thing. Remember, not all Christians are pagan-fearing psychos! If he's happy being a Christian then he's probably doing it right, in which case no worries!

Al

[Twig]

I think that the best thing for me to do is just to support his decision, and try to move on and remain friends with him... Advice anyone?

I think you answered your own question my friend. ;) Take things day by day. That's all any of us can do.

Peace,
Twig
:elf:

[kblackthorne]

Here's a thought:

This fellow is your mentor? So talk to him about it. :)

Tell him what you're going through, what your fears are. Ask him your questions. Listen, ask, discuss.

It's the best way I can think of to resovle some of the anguish you're feeling. And he'd probably LIKE to discuss it with you, but may be "holding back" out of respect.

Talk to him.