How to tell my boyfriend I'm not a Christian?

[Eldora]

Eh...

So, anyway, I'm not a Christian. My boyfriend is a Christian.

We were talking about religion the other day, and it got rather uncomfortable for me. I'm a Hellenismos, but I have no problem with Christianity as a whole, and we both agreed rather strongly on the Bible-forcers. As a sidenote, I'm not against Christians; just the crazy hoodlums who try to make me be a Christian, too, 'cause me and my boyfriend get along just fine.

Anywho, if you're a non-Christian, how would you go about telling your Christian boyfriend that you really like that you're not a Christian, and when would you tell him? We've only been together for about two weeks, and I don't think it would be wise to wait for too long...

And if you are a Christian, how would you like to have the person you... Well, I'm not gonna say loved, considering it's only been two weeks. How would you like to be told by the person you're in relationship with that she isn't a Christian?

[Composure]

Hey, if you can't tell your boyfriend that you're not Christian, how're you gonna tell him the good, juicy stuff?

Just tell him, preferably the next time you talk about religion.

[Sythan]

Just come out and say it next time it comes up. If he can't accept the fact that his girlfriend isn't a Christian, then you really don't need him.

[Eldora]

I know... It's just, I've had a crush on him forever, and to have him such a short time... I really don't think he'll mind, but I can't pretend that it doesn't worry me. But I'll have to tell him sometime, and better sooner than later.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

I don't see why you need to tell him in the first place. You two like each other already, he may not know what you religion truly is yet the relationship seems stable. If you want to tell him, do so when religion is brought up or any religious events are brought up.

[John 6:29]

First of all, if you don't like people who are trying to convert you, than if this is true of your boyfriend, he should be fine with you not being a Christian.

Currently, I am dating another Christian. But she is a rather nominal Christian. In fact, she probably wouldn't be considered Christian by the majority of evangelical Christianity, apart from maybe the emergent crowd -- which isn't really considered "Christian."

I don't know. I feel it is relevant to include that because I was a very strong practicing Christian, and I don't try to force her to do things she doesn't want to. The thing about relationships, in my opinion, is they need to be able to accept you. If they cannot do that, if he must have you convert, then he is not worth staying with.

So, what should you tell him? I'd bring up the subject of religion again, and just say, "Can I tell you something?" And then he will obviously say, "Yes," or jokingly say "no." And after this you can just bring up that you're not a Christian, and you felt uncomfortable bringing it up, etc. I find just being honest about the subject is the best way to go at it. Don't hide the details of you not being sure when to tell him, etc. It'll give your talk more of a legitimacy.

[Power Cosmic]

Thing is, when it comes down to it, if he dumps you over religion, he can't have been much of a decent guy anyway.

If reading that makes you feel really annoyed at me, then good , since that means a part of you believes strongly that he IS a decent guy,(not good that you're annoyed at me >.> ) in which case hold onto that emotion and go for it =).

Think of it this way, the worst that can happen is that you find out he's not so great early on, and save yourself some heartache, you know?

[dr2005]

As others have quite rightly said, your boyfriend should accept you for who you are in your entirety, not simply because of whether or not you have the "Christian" label on you. The fact that you are dating and getting along just fine as you put it suggests to me that there isn't a problem in that regard, and that choosing to inform him you're not a Christian when you feel ready to do so shouldn't have a bearing on things either. If it does, then as has been said he isn't worth it anyway. If it is worrying you then try to bring the topic of religion up again and see how he responds to some general questions about other faiths, and generally play it by ear. The main thing is not to get worked up over it, and to remember that if you are dating already then it's fair to say he likes you as a person so that stands you in pretty good stead.