 Posted Saturday, October 13, 2007 6:05 PM
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Hi all,
As a 4th generation CS I have come to realize over the course of many years -- through my own study of the Bible and dialogue with Christians -- that CS contradicts the Bible and is wrong. I am very worried about explaining this to my family, as it will come up soon in a decisions which requires me to be a CS. It would break my mother's and grandmother's hearts to know that their granddaughter has 'gone astray' as they always warned me the 'world' would try to lead me. I know how shameful it would be for them, b/c it would mean they didn't do a good enough job indoctrinating me in it. I had always had reservations about the logic of CS, but it wasn't really until now in my second year of college, on my own, and watching my mother and grandparents fade away from diseases under CS 'treatment' that I feel like I can't stand it any longer. I feel so guilty about leaving too. I know many of my close friends, church aquaintances and family will never treat me the same. I wish there was a way I could stay but I can't keep up this lie any longer. I am also under their insurance (which never gets used, haha) and would like to address some medical issues I have always had but it will require me to disclose my treatment to them, which will horribly dissapoint them.
Does anyone have advice for breaking this to your family?
Thanks much.
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Posted Sunday, October 14, 2007 12:54 PM
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| Hi Anonymous, I understand your concerns and went through many of them myself when I left CS. It's hard to disappoint the people we love, even though we know that we are doing the right thing. I can remember feeling like a traitor and knowing that my relationship with CS friends and loved ones would change. I found leaving CS to be emotionally wrenching even though I knew I was making a change for the better. I suggest being loving yet straightforward when you tell you mother and grandmother the news. By this I mean something like the following: "Mom, I know how important CS is to you and I appreciate the time and effort you have spent sharing it with me. CS has a lot of good points and has given me some really valuable things (like sound moral values, a love for the Bible, etc.). But I have discovered that Mrs. Eddy's teachings don't always agree with the Bible -- and the differences are important enough that I have decided that I cannont follow Mrs. Eddy anymore. I don't want to disappoint you, but I simply have to leave CS. It wouldn't be honest for me to stay in CS when I no longer agree with its teachings." The medical issues and specific doctrinal issues may come up in that discussion or in later ones, but I suggest letting your mother digest the initial news before going much farther. Then proceed as her questions, comments, and reactions allow. I think it's important to keep in mind that, whatever happens in the short term, your longterm goal should be to have a good relationship with your family. Spiritual issues will likely become strained at least for a while, but there are many levels on which you can remain close or at least comfortable. Regarding friends -- some friendships will endure while others may not. Remember that, in time, you will develop a new spiritual "family" of Christians both in church and in your community. My heart and prayers are with you.
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