Another awesome post. While I didn't face this directly (my family was out of the Christian church by the time I was 12 and had left organized religion altogether by the time I was 16), my parents had their fair share of it when they left Christianity. Our pastor told my parents that they should have "asked his permission" before leaving our church (as if it's his decision!?). My parents were going a different place spiritually. They weren't getting the answers they wanted or needed from the church we were at. They were pushed aside and told to just go with the flow and to stop making waves. We got this not only from church leaders, but from family members who were heavily involved in the church. 

Yeah. Not really the best way to convince people to stay. 

This is also one of the big huge main reasons why, while I would love to go to a church and have that fellowship, I can't stand the thought. It is so difficult to find a church where growth is *genuinely* encouraged and all questions/doubts/journeys are welcomed. Maybe someday I'll find that awesome place. 

Thanks for sharing, Deanna. Your posts always make me feel...not alone. =D