I'm in a bit of a pickle. You see it's been about 6 months since i renounced the church and jesus and all that. But now one of my best friends has found out this info and he's a leader in the church i used to go to. He doesn't know of this (being Satanic) but he has now found out i'm not a follower of god anymore.

Has anyone else round here had a similar experience? and if so how was it dealt with?

I’ve passed through that over 15 years ago, and the experience I’ve made is that, the ones you can call “true” friends will stay right there beside you, no matter about your religious, let’s say, preferences.
Anyhow, renouncing to god, jesus, or even call yourself a Satanist isn’t a shame but something to be proud of so, if you consider this guy a true friend, just be honest with him. If he doesn’t understand it, then continue walking the Left Hand Path on your own. Better to be alone than in bad company, right?
Nevertheless, if you have, as you say, renounced the church and jesus, you should also renounce to those feelings of guilt you have towards your, er, christian friend and his christian beliefs. You don’t owe regretfulness to anybody.
If you truly are a Satanist, you will be proud and honoured to be able to call yourself one, no matter what other morons may think of it.

H.S.

If this person is really a true friend, why would it matter if you're a Satanist or not?

None of my friends are Satanists, and they don't care about the fact that I am. They are close with me because they know what kind of person I am, not because of my religious affiliation.

Agreed. It's instances like thsee that show you who your friends really are.

It might. Some people can't handle Satanism. First of all, as we all know, most are grossly misinformed. Secondly, the principles of Satanism can seem a bit unusual to one who doesn't understand or practice them.

I began to broach the subject with my best friend a few months ago. She was raised Christian, practiced "witchcraft" as a teenager, then became Buddhist, and married a guy who is Hindu, so she's leaning in that direction these days. Generally, she's very logical and open-minded. However, just the word Satanism was enough to trigger the Christian programming from her childhood. So I steered the conversation in another direction and haven't brought it up since. We've been friends for 17 years. She knows what type of person I am. If the label for what I am will cause problems I see no need to share it. It benefits me to keep my affiliations to myself.

I have some friends who know I am a satanist and some that don't. I know that some of my friends will not think too highly of my choice, and so I don't tell them. Its not really a subject that comes up much, and I don't bring it up.

Same here.

As for your 'pickle', ghostDIE, are you sure that it's a 'pickle' at all? You say that this friend of yours knows that you no longer attend church and so on. You didn't mention how he has reacted, if he has at all.

Maybe he doesn't care. I have a friend who is heavily involved with her church; that doesn't stop her from talking to me even though she knows that I'm not Christian. We don't discuss religion; if the topic comes up, I say as little as possible whilst appearing interested in whatever she has to say.

If he does react, however, then it's up to you how to deal with his reaction (whatever that may be). Only you know how much the friendship means to you and how much you're willing to put up with.

Yes, being a Satanist is great, but declaring it (even amongst family and friends) isn't always a good idea.

If your friend asks, just say that you're just thinking about and testing what you believe, which is true.

Stand firm on who you are.

If your best friend judges you unfit to be in his company than he was undeserving from the start.

He's one of your best friends and a leader in the church yet he just found out that you renounced christianity 6 months ago?

Are you sure he is a friend?

I really do not care what people think about my beliefs. Satanism works for me and I incorperate it into every aspect of my life. Some of my friends and family do know and they do not care or a least never say anything in my presence. To them I am just the guy who keeps busy and enjoys the finer things in life.

I try not to befriend christians or spiritual people in general. Speaking from experience, it's too much of a hassle.

I have family and business associates that are spiritual in nature but I have to be very selective when it comes to choosing close friends. They don't have to be Satanists but I can do without hearing the whole "Oh I thank God for bla bla bla" and when I get to Heaven, God will bla, bla, bla.".

I do not understand your problem.

Why exactly does this put you "in a bit of a pickle"?

It seems to me that this only puts your friend in the position of having to understand why you quit.

If he requires that all of his friends must belong to his church that still remains his problem, doesn't it?

Well it's more the point that to christians, satan really is the destroyer of the world. I didn't want certain people to find out straight away. It's the hardest thing trying to live with people who just want to ram their religion down your throat.

The reason i spose he didn't really notice much is just the fact that he's so busy. and I myself have only let key people to me know. My absolute closest friends don't have any issue with this change of mine. The problem more so with this one is that i have been a good friend to him and him to me for all my life.

The real reason it was a pickle was because he read something that i wrote to someone else in an e-mail, discussing my new found belief, and he sent me a reply e-mail regarding something he wasn't really supposed to see.

Anyways, i've talked to him now and he's cool. Which i'm pleased with because i care about the guy. He's a good friend to have and always has time to give when you need it.

I agree with Magister Nemo's statement and have this to add.

You must remember that realizing that you are a Satanist and acting upon it was your choice. If this is a burden to you then you must make a decision that best suits your life. If your friendship is more important to you than your chosen path then perhaps you truly are not a Satanist at all.

I for one do not associate (of my own free will for anything other than work) with intolerant hypocritical xians. And if you are now asking yourself why I still associate with IHX's it is for the simple fact that I like my money.