538, the statistics and polling blog has a new advice column. The first one is on office Bible studies.
I Think I Lost My Faith. How Do I Get Out Of My Office Bible Study?
Lately I started going to a Bible study at work to try and reconnect with the faith (I’ve grown up Christian, but it was never a big part of my life). The experience has been both positive and negative, as the study group is extremely friendly (and helpful) but also homophobic and wildly misinformed. It’s getting to the point where the discussions always leave me frustrated because of how passionately some members believe things that are clearly wrong or immoral. Through many conversations and arguments, I’ve actually come to the conclusion that I don’t really believe in the faith anymore (certainly not the bigoted and anti-science aspects).
Now I don’t know what to do. I don’t think I should keep going to the Bible study, but I can’t just stop showing up forever without getting asked about it. (I see several of these people every day.) Should I tell them the truth (that I don’t believe anymore and think many of their opinions are morally wrong)? Or, should I just make something up about scheduling conflicts to avoid potential fallout of de-converting? — John in Georgia
Read their answers here and see what others have said. What is your advice?
Image: By Shimer College – http://www.flickr.com/photos/shimercollege/8247904864/in/set-72157628212214457/, CC BY 2.0, Link wikimedia commons