Why can't my family accept it?

Question

My mom's side of the family won't get it through their minds that I do not believe in God. My mom keeps saying, "well you were baptised catholic." and I respond, "Against my will when I was a baby. I didn't know what was going on."

I don't wanna hurt their feelings, how can I get it through their heads that I don't believe in that?

If they are looking out for my soul, that's fine. If they are right about religion, T.S. I'll live with the consequences.

I do let then believe what they want and I respect that. When they say grace at family dinners I don't make a scene, I keep my mouth shut and sit still out of respect. I just want them to respect my choices as well.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I truly appreciate it.

For the record, I'm not an athiest, I'm agnostic.

Answer 1

OMG I got the same problem. Just don't ever bring it up, that's what works for me. At X-mas and stuff when they talk about church and religion just keep your mouth shut and always avoid religious conversations with them. That's the only thing that works for me.

Answer 2

When it comes to religion, it is hard to get some to accept ideas they didn't have good info on growing up. It is usually taught that there is one right way and all others are doomed. Hard to get past that blockage.
I had to decide in my life to let it go and hope the family members that didn't get it would, at least, someday accept it. Some have, some think I'm a bit nuts, and a couple want to save my soul. I just try to avoid the subject around the savers so feelings don't get hurt. Some I've just told that this is how I am and I hope they can be loving enough not to make it an issue.
I know this is a fuzzy answer, but religion and family lines get fuzzy. Just know that you have a right to your own beliefs, even if you have to be quiet about them sometimes.

Answer 3

When your parents took you to be baptized they promised before God to raise you in faith. They are simply trying to fulfill their promise and do what is right to them for you.

Realistically they can't make you believe, but by faith they must try to keep that door open for you. Try to see the love in that. They can't force you to walk through that door, it can only come from you, so your beliefs are not in any danger.

At best, you can tell them that they are pushing too hard - but don't expect the invitations to church to end. Is it such a horrible thing to occasionally go to mass to make your parents feel better - and it might get them off of your back.

Thinking of the words of the Bible - believing in God or not - do they have a good message? So, you don't have to believe to attend, just respectful.

Anyhow, if you are still living in your parent's home a compromise might be in the best interest of family peace. If you aren't in their house, I don't know what you can do.

No matter how old the child, parents never completely let go, it's part of the job description. What's the worst that can happen? You give up one Sunday morning a month?

Answer 4

Sweetheart,no baby is saved when it is baptized!Babies are innocent.
Baptism is for ppl old enough to accept Christ of their own free will!
You are perfectly right on that point,however,God is very much alive!I hope He gives you a life changing miracle soon,so you can see Him.
God would not have made all this beauty we see everyday,if we did not go on after our bodies die,anymore than He made all the planets,if life were not out there somewhere!
Christians have hope of a better life one day with Jesus!That is why when you see a person who has lost a loved one or has gone through a bad time,lift up their face & let God wipe away their tears!Because He has promised us untold treasures if we follow Him!There will be no more tears,sorrow,darkness or pain!
I can hardly wait!But if i am wrong,I have lost nothing!Dis believers on the otherhand will have lost everything when they see I am right! Bless you,Darlin.

Answer 5

I see nothing wrong with raising a child in the religion of the parents, as long as they are aware of other paths and taught tolerance of others and their belief systems. However, once that child is old enough to vote, they are also old enough to choose to continue in that religion, choose a different one, or have no religion at all. I strongly believe we are all individuals and each soul is on a different evolutionary step. Some of us might need a highly organized religion and others of us do not. It is like a comfort zone. It is all in what we feel is right for us.
Sadly, you may never make them understand. You will just have to agree to disagree.

Answer 6

You are not going to. As long as you are living with them they are going to do it. You should tell them that. That is the best you can do. Once you move out then you can start living life on your own terms. You can try telling your mom that she is teaching you to be a hypocrite and a liar. :)

All these people mumbo-jiumboing about life after death and being saved and all that are just as wrong. They are trying to impose their belief on you . You have to decide what is right for you . There are millions of ways to believe. It is up to you to choose.

Answer 7

Maybe it's best just to let them believe what they want to believe about what you believe, to the extent you don't have to put on a show.

My parents are Catholic and have known for years that I'm an atheist, yet they still refuse to acknowledge it as well. If they want to believe I'm not, even though they know I don't pray, I don't go to church, etc., they can knock themselves out.

Answer 8

My mother and I had the same issues. She used to get sooo mad at me for not going to mass on Sundays but it just wasn't in me to do so. I tried to explain my new non Christian religion to her and she doesn't seem to understand it too much but is more tolerant now. At least she doesn't call me a heretic anymore. Sometimes however, she asks me if my religion believes in Jesus...and once she told me to "pray to my G-d".
Maybe your family knows but are in denial. You should make a statement by acting the way you do and continuing to do so...while at the same time respecting them (and it sounds that you respect them more than they do you)
Good luck and I love your avatar.

Answer 9

Why bother making a big deal about it. If you don't bring it up, they won't either. However, if you have to offend your family, you might want to say something more obscene, like you are going to marry a lesbian black hindu satanic witch. My point is, Don't be rude about their beliefs, and they won't belittle you. And why is it so important that they believe you. Perhaps you are just doing it to be mean.

Answer 10

Keep doing what you are doing - it's the right thing.

Be polite to them, respect their beliefs, but also make them respect yours. Explain to them the importance that they respect what you believe in.
Since they are your parents, they just feel frustrated that they cannot "pass their ideas to you". But don't worry, stick to your beliefs, keep doing what you are doing, and, if they love you, they will eventually get the message and stop bothering you.