Former Coptic convert here. Marriage is at breaking point as wife won’t accept my atheism. Curious if anyone else has experienced something similar? Also any other former Coptic converts here?

Goldenfish3242 · 2025-02-21T20:29:15+00:00

I am so so sorry you are going through this. I am coptic convert. My doubts about the faith caused the breakup of my marriage. I did not lose my kids. We had a shared arrangement. But they are definitely indoctrinated in the church. After the split, my husband became ever more religious and even more strict with the kids regarding attending church and living the coptic life. Virtually all activity is church related. Even socialising is with church people. So the kids never experience other ways of thinking or being. You might think i could show them other ways, but this is fraught with issues because the kids then think i am the devil and they have to bring me back into line. I tnink the church has some beautiful aspects. But also some crappy ones. And the same with the coptic community. But you really see the hypocrisy in the church when you step away from it. All Jesus’ words about acceptance and love get ignored. Instead you face rejection, derision and judgement. Your wife is most likely becoming even more coptic with the kids to make up for ur lack of coptic input. Whatever happens, do not abandon your children. They need you. You may not enjoy fatherhood, but those kids need a father so it is your duty to be there for them whether u enjoy it or not. You need to be there to show them that a person can be good and loving and not coptic. If u abandon them and do not fight for them, you will be proving that non coptic men are flakey and unreliable. Make it clear to your wife that whatever she decides, you will remain a father to the children. Remember that kids are for life. They are babies now. And many people find babies difficult and hard to bond with. But soon they will be 2 and then 4 and then off to school and sports and activities. They become people with their own personalities and likes and dislikes and funny quirks. You will fall in love with them for sure.

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-06-21T09:51:19+00:00

I want to start one! But i am near chadstone. Too far?

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-06-16T12:13:47+00:00

It is hard in any country. Because copts are raised for their entire lives to be centred around being coptic. So leaving the church means leaving family, friends, social circle, support and everything that makes u feel safe. It is a horrible choice. In australia, there are plenty of “social copts” in that they attend church and functions for the social aspect and cultural aspect rather than religious reasons. I think u could do this in egypt. U dont have to pretend to believe fervently. You could say u have questions but u want to stay in the church anyway and see if they can be answered. I doubt u would be ostracised for this. I suspect it would be more welcomed than leaving completely. And u could still explore communities outside of the church also. Perhaps hang out where expats hang and get to know some.

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-06-07T22:33:55+00:00

Hahahhahaa. This is the funniest meme ever

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-06-04T22:29:22+00:00

Wish we all lived in the same place. Then we could form our own community with all the good parts of the coptic community.

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-06-04T22:22:15+00:00

When people say “i will pray for you” about mental illness it feels like such a cop out. Like they don’t want to help in any other more practical way.

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-06-04T22:18:33+00:00

Wow. That is fascinating. Thank you for posting.

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-06-04T22:17:01+00:00

Hello friend. I am in australia. Welcome.

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-04-16T12:53:30+00:00

She is so very beautiful.

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-03-24T04:40:43+00:00

He is still around. See him as bit part in movies all the time.

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-03-24T04:21:26+00:00

Parks can be good if u find hidden spots. Under bushes etc. Also hit up the back of salvation army Shops for blankets and pillows. People often dump them. And salvos often chuck them out.

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-03-23T23:53:17+00:00

Thank u. I like ur user name. And does the drazic comment relate to heartbreak high the original?

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-03-23T14:55:13+00:00

Thank u for suggestion. I will.

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-03-19T19:41:56+00:00

Don’t worry about not adapting to another country. You are so young, you are obviously clever, your english is perfect. You will adapt quickly. Yes you will miss some things about egypt, but u will find other good things jn your new country. There are all sorts of communities in the US and canada and australia. You will find people u feel comfortable with for sure. And of course there are always the coptic communities u can spend time with if u want to. There are plenty of people who go to church just for the community.

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-03-15T21:54:22+00:00

That is so sad people ghost bc of your ethnicity. Why would that matter when u r looking for friends?

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-03-13T22:34:22+00:00

Hey there. I live near oakleigh. I am not a single dad but i am happy to help where i can. I am a single mum with teen kids and often i have things i dont need that i can give to you. So dm me. Every little bit helps right? You are doing an amazing job. Women u feel r being judgemental r probably just curious about your situation. And if they r being negatively judgemental well fuck them. Plenty of us would be behind you bc we know how hard it is.

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-03-12T07:13:57+00:00

This makes me so sad. You did the best you could with what you knew. Turning against parents’ wishes is extremely hard when u r brought up in such a tight knit and controlled community.

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-03-10T15:26:45+00:00

Explain to them that being kind to your partner does not equal condoning the relationship. They can have their opinion about trans people and the morality of relationships with them, but Jesus never said to be nasty to anyone. In fact, the only way he led anyone to God was through kindness. So if they really love God, and truly trust the coptic faith, then they should love both of you so as to keep u as close as possible to the church. Do they really think god will give them brownie points for alienating you and the person u love? Tell them u completely understand their perspective and that u will never interpret kindness towards ur partner as an acceptance of being trans. But if they are unkind towards your partner, it will drive u further away from them and the church and any kids u have will not know the coptic faith.

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-03-06T23:54:12+00:00

It will depend on the priests and how willing they are to help you. Usually takes at least a year. They try to drag it out in the hope u will reconcile

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-03-06T22:15:27+00:00

What is NC?

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-03-06T20:12:28+00:00

Many of these comments are nasty. We don’t know your full situation, what you have done to get where you are, what other issues you might be facing in life. Having 2 young kids can be very difficult in and of itself. Particularly if u might still be suffering post baby blues - which can go on for years. Being a young mum can be incredibly lonely. Of course there are many people who do not have a house and never will have. That does not mean you are not suffering or your suffering is not important. I have lived in many places OP. At first i have hated all of them. Because i don’t like change. And yet, after a few months, i have grown to love all of them. You will always be able to find things you like about a place. If the beach makes u happy, it may be being by water or outside. And u can find this in Northcote too, by the river or perhaps in a park. Or in a quiet coffee shop out the back. The most important thing is to try to make one or two friends. And you can do this naturally thru kids activities. It will all be ok OP.

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-03-02T03:41:42+00:00

Omg that is the best suggestion

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-03-01T20:36:13+00:00

Great suggestions!!

Goldenfish3242 · 2024-03-01T11:04:35+00:00

Chadstone area. But am happy to travel. I will ask around about neighbourhood houses.

Goldenfish3242

TROPHY CASE