By Eric Jeffries -- A s I approach the two-year anniversary of not speaking with my parents, and in light of a recent conversation, I wanted to share, rehash and reflect on what I've experienced and what I believe I've learned. Almost two years ago now, I decided to terminate my relationship with my parents. Some individuals, including my parents still don't understand my decision on the matter. Image by ePi.Longo via Flickr Most of you are aware of my background, born and raised Evangelical Christian. I played in the church orchestra, participated in praise and worship, went to church camps, instructed to speak in tongues, pray for the things you want / need, and above all keep inside the secure bubble of fundamental Christianity . I always had questions about the tenants of theology in my childhood. Most children have questions when you tell them things like; God created 1 man and 1 woman and that's how we got white people, brown people, black people, oriental ...

By Eric Jeffries -- T he term to " come out of the closet " is almost always associated with homosexuality. Image by Darwin Bell via Flickr However it seems to me that the fears that plague a closet homosexual are similar or identical to the fears that a former theist turned non-theist / atheist / agnostic have when attempting to open up to family and friends about what they think and how they feel. So what does it mean to "Come out" of the closet about an issue? To "come out" : Framed and debated as a privacy issue, coming out is described and experienced variously as: a psychological process or journey; decision-making or risk-taking; a strategy or plan; a mass or public event; a speech act and a matter of personal identity; a rite of passage; liberation or emancipation from oppression; a means toward feeling ... pride and not shame or social stigma. In political, casual or even humorous contexts, "coming out" means by extension the sel...