Friendship

[phantom306]

Last year I started attending church on a regular basis and have actually started getting more involved by volunteering my time toward guest services and also I am now a member of our church's Praise and Worship Singing Team.  What amazes me is how my life has turned around and the inner peace that I now feel...but amazes me even more than that is how much some of my friends have pulled away.  I mean I thought friendships were built on support toward one another, trust, loyalty and accepting them for who they are and what they do.  What is so wrong with me wanting to get my life on track and feel good while I'm doing it?  I now have religion in my life...it's not like it's the plague...so why are some of my friends pulling away?      

[BaudLight]

Could depend on how religious,  or non-religious,  your friends are.  Have you become "preachy?"  That could tend to drive some people away,  especially if they do not share your beliefs.

[falcon9]

I now have religion in my life...it's not like it's the plague...so why are some of my friends pulling away?      

That's just it; to others who don't share your religious beliefs, it's exactly like a plague.  A zombie plague.

[debidoo]

  Well, it should be like that where people don't have to be identical but if you no longer do some of the activities those friends do - I guess therein the problem lies.  I think that maybe you are going to have to build new mutual friendships with some of the folks at your new church - be blessed it sounds like you are on the right track. 

[tigerlilly01]

Very sad but a lot of those friends are people you don't really need in your life if they can not be happy for you.  Sometimes God will lead you in a new direction and you will make new friends that will share your interest.  I think a lot of times others feel threatened and are under conviction about their own lives so they just want to distance themselves from anything that reminds them of their own shortcomings.  I pray you will continue on the path you are on and pray for those friends but also seek new friends. 

God Bless You!

[phantom306]

Very sad but a lot of those friends are people you don't really need in your life if they can not be happy for you.  Sometimes God will lead you in a new direction and you will make new friends that will share your interest.  I think a lot of times others feel threatened and are under conviction about their own lives so they just want to distance themselves from anything that reminds them of their own shortcomings.  I pray you will continue on the path you are on and pray for those friends but also seek new friends. 

God Bless You!

Very well stated and I think this is the actual problem.  I'm not sure about the threatened part, because I'm the farthest thing from threatening, but all in all, I think you're spot on when it comes to the conviction of their own lives and shortcomings.  But I just wish they could see that I don't or never will judge them...it's not my position to do that.  I also wish that they could just see me as a person who finally has an inner peace within myself whether it has to do with the religion or not.  I don't talk church or religion around them at all...it's just that I now find myself talking about and doing more positive things.  Thanks again for the input...