Advice on Disappointing Parents
I was raised in a deeply conservative branch of Christianity. It never felt right to me; I always had questions and never found the peace or certainty others found in it. 18 months ago, in my late 30's, I finally quit. However, I haven't told my parents.
There's a few reasons. It will be a scandal when everyone finds out. People will be calling and writing to let me know they're praying for me to come back. Also, it's one of the sects that promotes what is basically shunning--social interaction stops so the "sinner" will change their ways. My relationship with my parents will change drastically. I'm fully expecting that once they find out, I will never spend another holiday/birthday/celebration with them. At most, our interactions will be them trying to convince me to return to church.
I'm struggling so much with the idea of losing my relationship with them (even though we're not super close now) and the knowledge that I'll be a disappointment to them. I think it would be easier on me if they would be angry about it, but I know they'll just be heartbroken. Logically, I know it wasn't fair that I was pushed into this religion, and that I'm not in the wrong. But emotionally, I'm so resistant to them finding out. I've been working on it in therapy, but I can't seem to make progress in this area.
Does anyone have any advice for dealing with this either before they find out or after (and they will definitely find out eventually, hiding it forever is not an option)?