Do I have to belong to my parent's religion?

Question

I am 18 and enjoy learning about other cultures and religions. I think that all people are of value. My parents say that if I don't follow their religion, I am going to hell, and so are all these other people.

Answer 1

That depends, do they still make you believe in Santa Claus?

Answer 2

No you don't have to. But why do you want to leave? Have you ever made a commitment to your current religion? If so, then why leave? If not, then why not? You are free to check out any that you wish, but I would counsel to make sure you know the reasons why other than idle curiosity. Are you not fulfilled by your current faith? Do you have a faith? These are the questions that all of us must answer for ourselves. Your parents can't get you into heaven - it's your decision. But think about the questions I offered, because I was once in a similar situation. I left & took a lot of wrong turns through a lot of pain before I ended up where I needed to be. May God bless your journey. I am sure He awaits your questions.

Answer 3

What you should do is find out what there religion and yours you want to convert to and other people's all have in common. They are alkl about having values and people that kill them selves and act liek they are better are the ones going to hell because you are supposed to love everyone no matter what. My parents are methodist and there parents are holiness and baptist and all go to each others chucrches sometimes. You should invite ur parents to ur new church even if it is a totally different religion. What you may find is that how you where brought up was the best for you and reconvert eventaully. It was good enough for your father. Don't give up on it as you study others.

Answer 4

Remember, all parents (yes, ALL) parents tell their children that they are lucky to be born in that religion. But, only one religion is true. It's you who has to find out and not just believe in what parents believe.

For that matter, I was a Muslim because my parents were. BUT now, I am a Muslim because I studied it with nuetral views.

To make a decision, be NUETRAL and look for the truth.
Read, for example about Hinduism, from an Hindu source and not from a Christian or Muslim source. This way, you will get a clear idea of what the other religions and cultures truly are.

Answer 5

You're 18 years old. And in most countries that means that you've reached an adult age where you can make your own decisions. Personally, you should do what you want to do.

If you have strong convictions about your faith and you truely believe then perhaps it would be better to follow your parents advice, but to me it looks like you're curious about other options. I say, dont be afraid to explore them! If you think that all people are of value, then be true to that statement and look into other cultures, religions and spiritualities.

You dont have to follow your parents religion in the least. They may be disappointed if you dont, but you should do what you feel is best for you.

Answer 6

Religion or doctrine?? I don't think there is anything wrong with exploring other doctrines and beliefs. This doesn't mean that you have changed your mind on what you believe or turned your back on God. It just means that you haven't been getting the answers you have been looking for in your church. If you feel that you have outgrown the church and it doesn't make you feel alive then you have to seek God elsewhere. He encourages us to seek his face. There are some principles that all doctrines hold to. So, I believe that as long as you love God and actively seek his will, you won't go to hell. As apost script, i really like sobrien's answer, people ENJOY religion on different levels. Thats a good word to use. There should be no conflict in this. You should enjoy whichever you choose. Your affiliation should have no bearing on this whatsoever. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

Answer 7

You have the right to choose what religion best fits you. Some religions are believed to say one will go to hell if one doesn't follow that particular religion. That is so not the case. God (or your greatest being and Highest Power) will accept you and love you for just being you, whatever your following may be.

Answer 8

no, faith is something that everyone enjoys differently,

the religions of the world are based on BOOKS, and letters written by people thousands of years ago, when humans knew NOTHING about the world, and the way things work.

back when some people still thought the earth was at the center of the universe, and that stars were holes in the sky, letting the light of heaven in.


you can believe whatever you want, and as long as you are moral and just, you should not go to hell.

Answer 9

well unequally yolk, that what come to mind on this matter, its to me is OK to know about other religion, because you can know how the other people think, an there value, of life are. To respect that view an that also include your parents,the hardest part about religion, that some people don't understand that we see it differently no matter what , so keep praying for your soul an hope that the other are doing the same.

Answer 10

Tell your parents that they shouldn't judge you. Only God can decide if you go to hell or not. There is certainly more than enough room for God to be part of all religions in the world. To say that one's religion is the only "true" religion is vanity and falsehood.

Answer 11

The question isn't whether your parents believe your going to hell it's whether you do. Religion is a personal thing and it should no be definded by anyone else's beliefs. How much more wrong would it be to pay lip service to something you don't believe than research and truly find out what you *do* believe.