What is the objective you’re trying to achieve with this document ?
Neither are nor my close family members have never been religious, so it’s hard for me to put myself into your target audience’s shoes. Still, if I did something radical, like joining a snake-handling Pentecostal cult; and if I chose to announce my decision by way of a 10-page, single-spaced document full of scholarly references; then I would expect my family members to feel hurt. They’d expect me to talk to them on a more personal level.
Fair points. Did you read the document? Other than a handful, none of my footnotes are scholarly references.
Some of this is from a practical standpoint. I had coffee and dinner and lunch dates with many, many close friends/acquaintances to tell them in person. The community I was involved in contains some 500 people. I don’t know if I can have such an interaction with all of them. I’ll keep thinking about this point, though. Maybe this would be counter-productive.
ETA: Oh, and sorry… I didn’t answer the main question. My primary objective is simply to inform all those who still don’t know after two years. I was a member of a community and disappeared. I’d like people to know why, and not have heard via a telephone game. Those who are really important already know. Many beside that know me, don’t know yet.
Fair points. Did you read the document? Other than a handful, none of my footnotes are scholarly references.
I just finished reading it, and I found it quite moving. It has a few minor syntax errors, but other than that it’s good.
The community I was involved in contains some 500 people. I don’t know if I can have such an interaction with all of them.
Ok, I see, your family is an order of magnitude larger than mine. In this case, a document is probably the best way to go, otherwise you’d have to dedicate a year of your life just to talking to everyone :-)
My primary objective is simply to inform all those who still don’t know after two years.
That makes sense. There’s a danger that some people might find your document a bit, well, preachy; they might feel that you’re trying to deconvert them, not merely inform them. I personally don’t think your document comes off that way, but I’m trying hard to put myself into your audience’s shoes. But maybe I’m over-compensating.
I just finished reading it, and I found it quite moving. It has a few minor syntax errors, but other than that it’s good.
Thanks! I got some specific corrections from a blog reader; I’ll update and re-upload the new version to avoid repeat corrections. Glad you liked it.
...your family is an order of magnitude larger than mine...
Well, community of religious believers. The family who will receive this, if any, is probably only ~20 strong. Which, in that case, perhaps I should wait until the next family get together to announce in person. Though, the best time tends to be at meal time, and the last time that would have happened, I got asked to pray at Thanksgiving because my family thinks I’m the “holy one.” I didn’t think it was the best time to deny or announce my nonbelief… so, embarrassed as I am to admit it, I faked it. Apparently, they didn’t know the difference.
There’s a danger that some people might find your document a bit, well, preachy...
Fair enough. My brother commented that it was “processy.” I could see taking my explicit explanation of how I go about things as implying that however they went about their belief isn’t as good as mine and thus they would deconvert if they investigated as well. I’ll keep that in mind.
Many, many thanks for reading the whole thing and providing input.
What is the objective you’re trying to achieve with this document ?
Neither are nor my close family members have never been religious, so it’s hard for me to put myself into your target audience’s shoes. Still, if I did something radical, like joining a snake-handling Pentecostal cult; and if I chose to announce my decision by way of a 10-page, single-spaced document full of scholarly references; then I would expect my family members to feel hurt. They’d expect me to talk to them on a more personal level.
Those are just my two cents, though.
Fair points. Did you read the document? Other than a handful, none of my footnotes are scholarly references.
Some of this is from a practical standpoint. I had coffee and dinner and lunch dates with many, many close friends/acquaintances to tell them in person. The community I was involved in contains some 500 people. I don’t know if I can have such an interaction with all of them. I’ll keep thinking about this point, though. Maybe this would be counter-productive.
ETA: Oh, and sorry… I didn’t answer the main question. My primary objective is simply to inform all those who still don’t know after two years. I was a member of a community and disappeared. I’d like people to know why, and not have heard via a telephone game. Those who are really important already know. Many beside that know me, don’t know yet.
I just finished reading it, and I found it quite moving. It has a few minor syntax errors, but other than that it’s good.
Ok, I see, your family is an order of magnitude larger than mine. In this case, a document is probably the best way to go, otherwise you’d have to dedicate a year of your life just to talking to everyone :-)
That makes sense. There’s a danger that some people might find your document a bit, well, preachy; they might feel that you’re trying to deconvert them, not merely inform them. I personally don’t think your document comes off that way, but I’m trying hard to put myself into your audience’s shoes. But maybe I’m over-compensating.
Thanks! I got some specific corrections from a blog reader; I’ll update and re-upload the new version to avoid repeat corrections. Glad you liked it.
Well, community of religious believers. The family who will receive this, if any, is probably only ~20 strong. Which, in that case, perhaps I should wait until the next family get together to announce in person. Though, the best time tends to be at meal time, and the last time that would have happened, I got asked to pray at Thanksgiving because my family thinks I’m the “holy one.” I didn’t think it was the best time to deny or announce my nonbelief… so, embarrassed as I am to admit it, I faked it. Apparently, they didn’t know the difference.
Fair enough. My brother commented that it was “processy.” I could see taking my explicit explanation of how I go about things as implying that however they went about their belief isn’t as good as mine and thus they would deconvert if they investigated as well. I’ll keep that in mind.
Many, many thanks for reading the whole thing and providing input.