what to do when your parents want you to believe in something that you dont agree with?

Question

And if i were to tell them how i trully feel they would completely dissaprove of me.

Answer 1

How old are you and how old are your parents?
If you are young (defined as still living in their house), you may want to consider the fact that they are older and have more life experiences.
Now that I am older, I look back at the things I thought were right and I realize that there was a lot of ignorance and arrogance of youth on my part.
What are they asking you to believe in?
Is it something that you can keep an open mind about?
Maybe you can sit down with them when tempers are not hot, and ask some questions.
I find that if people get angry when I ask reasonable questions in calm manner it is because they do not really know the rational behind their belief.
If you think that this is the case, maybe type up some of your questions and give them in advance so your parents can look up the answers.
It's a good idea to have some of your questions written out as to steer the conversation, instead of it disolving into a free for all.
If your parents are not the type to look things up, maybe go to the pastor at their church and ask your questions there.
It will help you to get an understanding of where your parents are coming from.
Think of how thrilled they would be that you were going to the pastor to learn (BIG brownie points if you are worried about that sort of thing).
After all of this, let it marinate for a while.
Then, if you are still at polar opposites of what they believe then you have the free will go choose - tell them or don't.
Make sure you have a clear undertanding of your position.
By showing you have done extensive research you will have earned their respect.
They may be dissapointed that you don't agree with them - but they won't be dissapointed in you.

Answer 2

Pull out your wand and say " avada cadavera " problem solved . look telling your parents that you believe differently could cause big problems if they are Babtist or Pentacostel . How " religiouse " are they ? How far apart are your religious views ? Parents can make your life hell if they are very " hardcore " about there beleifs . I am a Pagan and it is hard for most people to get past the steroe type , You think that parents could be more understanding but when you believe different they sometimes think you are challenging their authority . Hope you think long and hard about what kind of people they are before you tell them . ... anyways good luck

Answer 3

there's never a real clear answer for things like this. I would say keep an open mind. A belief is a hard thing to change, it's why your parents have had them for so long. Learn about their beliefs and see where they're comming from, before making a judgement. And if you still don't agree, then never stop learning about other things, including their beliefs; this way you have an educated and informed decision about many facets of many beliefs, and can develop your own.

Answer 4

You should let them know. If they dissaprove of you then its there loss. Do what you can to fix it, but in the end if they dissaprove, then its something they need to fix.

I'm sure they will be uncomfortable for a little while, but in the end they'll except you.

Answer 5

I'm not sure it matters, but I think I would keep it to myself if I were you. Follow your heart, that is where the truth is.

Sometimes I think that The only real sin here is taking children and indoctrinating them with nonsense about God, hellfire, and the idea that they are born as sinners. God creates these perfect little beings in His own image. They are no more sinful than God is. They are Gods most perfect little creations and if anything was going to displease God It would be someone lying to these children and telling them that God was incompetent And had made them faulty.

Just remember, God is our dearest friend, the first one there to support us when we stumble and He would be the last one to ever judge us. Any other idea is so absurd as to be laughable if so many had not been indoctrinated into this web of lies about our loving Father/ Mother at such an early age. If someone tries to make these ideas seem real to you, think about it. Pray and Ask God for help in understanding the truth. Quiet your mind and listen for the small still loving voice of God. She will not fail to tell you the truth about her love for you.

Have perfect faith that Gods unconditional love for you is real. This is the truest kind of faith. Following a set of commandments so you don’t anger a judgmental small g god is the epitome of faithlessness.

Answer 6

Parents love their children unconditionally. Your parents will love you no matter what you do or what you do or don't believe in. Of course, if your opinions differ from theirs, they may be upset ot even hurt but they will get over it. Just come out and tell them you respect their beliefs but you don't share the same view on things. In the end they will be proud that they raised a child who can make their own decisions and can rationally think things through. Good luck.

Answer 7

Emancipation. Disown them.

Seriously, this can be a very tough position to be put in. The best recommendation I could make would be to discuss the matter with them in a calm and collected manner, and ask whether they would prefer that you not believe what they do, or that you merely pretend to believe something that you don't. If your parents also remain calm and logical, they will see the folly in trying to force you to believe anything.

Answer 8

When I was 15 I sat my parents down and told them I was no longer going to practice christianity. My mother was a bit upset at first and my father was not surprised. After a little thought they supported my decision because they wanted my happiness to come before their desires. Parents quite often are more understanding than one usually gives them credit for.

Answer 9

The approach you use should take into consideration if you still live under their roof or not. But, you shouldn't allow your parents to force you into a belief system you consider wrong or inaccurate. Parents, in general, will love their children no matter what...even if that child chooses a different path.

Answer 10

Your parents are trying to share their faith with you because they love you and are concerned for you.
So, you give them a few hours a week, in the long run, is that so much?
One day, you will stand looking down at your Mom in her coffin, as I had to do recently. When that happens, those few hours a week will be very precious to you, even if you never do accept her faith.
In the meantime, be happy that you have parents who love you. So many young people dealing with abuse, neglect, living from foster home to foster home would give anything to trade with you...even those few hours a week in church.