ok so, my entire family is catholic/christian (Wuts the dif) n ive gon 2 church my entire life but i never had the guts 2 tell anyone that i dnt believ in god, jesus,mary,etc. its all lies (no offens) but i dnt know wut 2 do. im scared 2 tell my prnts n since my bro is very very very religious, he'll kill me if i tell him. duz neone hav any advice plz???? im lost n i dont know what 2 do. oh, n i know SOMEBODY is gonna end up callin me a hypocrite so, fine. but plz i really really really really need help, u have no idea plz plz help me. wut do u think i should do? thank u 4 readin...
2006-11-02 11:27:56 · 17 answers · asked by Sara V 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
just so u guyz know, i do not believe in god
2006-11-02 11:35:23 · update #1
oh n im 13, so i cnt leav my house
2006-11-02 11:36:11 · update #2
It depends on how old you are. I applaud you for thinking on your own and coming to your own conclusions, but your parents might not necessarily. I do not know them, but some Christians would send you away to a camp to a be re-educated, or constantly threaten you with damnation in hell, or, like other answerers, try to convert you however they can.
No one would call you a hypocrite if you just kept quiet about your thoughts until you could move out on your own; the important thing now is to continue to show your parents respect as long as you live under their roof. Once you're out on your own, the problem goes away. They can't change what you think, and should respect you for your right to think so.
Personally, my mother is very loving and understanding, so, while we had a nice argument about it for a day, it didn't get in the way of our relationship when I told her I didn't believe in God (I was 16). I had doubted since I was 10, but that was when I finally could argue completely for my ideas.
2006-11-02 11:33:48 · answer #1 · answered by Michael 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm with the camp that says go along with the whole thing for the time being so as not to upset anyone. It doesn't mean you have to get in really deep or train for the ministry, it just means a few more dozen boring Sundays until you're working, and you can let your declining interest become more obvious over time.
I'm sorry you're in this position. America was founded so that people could practice whatever beliefs they wanted. It's tragic that it's got its own minority belief groups now who are scared to state what they believe because of persecution. You won't be 13 forever. Good luck.
2006-11-02 19:48:17 · answer #2 · answered by Bad Liberal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one can answer but you, I had the same situation a few months ago. I just told my mum i didn't believe in God, gave a few reasons etc. had a big argument. If was pretty sh*t for a day or 2 but then it all blew over when she realised there was f all she could do about it (though i'm regularly told i will go to hell :p). Oh ye my bros christian too but he doesn't really care.
Probly requires more tact than I have though (I nearly got kicked out the house, but then I can be pretty confrontational which is NOT a good approach).
Hope this helps
2006-11-02 19:34:06 · answer #3 · answered by Om 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, if your family is really crazy like that, I'd just grin and bear it until you can move out on your own - admittably a long time in your case. Plus church is very boring, I know, I've been there. Maybe your family will grow up a bit in the meantime. Sorry I can't be more helpful. :(
Edit: I agree a bit with Maus - most of the people on here are adults, and not up on the current internet jargon. It's considered polite to use the full spelling of words and complete punctuation if you want anyone over the age of 16 to be able to read your message. :)
2006-11-02 19:41:34 · answer #4 · answered by eri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really don't think your brother would "kill" you. (I think that would be against his religion!) You could tell your parents. Are they super religious? (Bible studies and rosary nightly?) Or is it just Sunday service every week? Is it something you can deal with to keep the peace for the next 5 years until you go off to college, or is it suffocating you? How terribly does it bother you to bless dinner before you eat it? Can you explore other religions with friends? Let them know (when it is time) that you don't wish to be confirmed as a Catholic, and that you aren't sure it's your "calling". You will come to the decision if and when you are ready. They'll prolly be more ok with it then you think, and tell you they will pray for you. Just don't be mean and tell them not to. It'll make them happier and it won't hurt you. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
2006-11-02 20:48:41 · answer #5 · answered by ladypersephone21 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know why anyone would consider your situation hypocritical.
I am assuming you are still living with your family. Wait until you have the means to live on your own before you tell them if you are concerned they will turn their backs on you.
Or just don't tell them. Whether they know it or not is irrelavent, and will not benefit you in the least.
Advice from another atheist.
*Shane*
Next time you should actually consider reading what people post. Sara has already lost her faith, and from the sound of it, it has been for a while. Telling an atheist to go to confession or pray is like asking a muslim to celebrate Hanukkah.
2006-11-02 19:33:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was in the same situation. They had to have some idea because I stopped going to church with them when I got old enough. But I never saw a reason to bring it up unless they directly asked. They still haven't and I am 41.
I don't think there is any real point in the conversation and it only leads to bad feelings so why have it.
2006-11-02 19:34:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well your first struggle is you want to tell people that you are supose to respect and look up to that what they believe is hooey. That is not wise. It definitively cause arguments and heart ache, mostly yours.
If you are dead set that there is no God and even if there is you do not care I recomend you keep you mouth shut until you move out and then sever all ties to these people. (this is not really a good or healthy choice)
My hope is you are open to believing in God if God/faith in God is presented in a way you understand. If this is true I recomend that you explain that to your parents and ask their help/encouragement to explore other belief systems. Yor explaination is simply: "mom,dad I respect you imensely and appreciae your faith and beliefs but I keep trying to claim them as my own but is just is not sitting well. areas that you have blind faith and or understand the explainations of the church I do not get. I want to have faith but I need my questions answered in a way I can understand and connect with. Will you help me find and explore other places and ways of faith to find one that I can connet to?"
2006-11-02 19:41:47 · answer #8 · answered by mike g 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You don't need to tell anyone if you fear their reactions. You are no less a person if you decide to conceal your beliefs from your parents, and once you are older and move out, you no longer have to go to church or pretend. I don't think telling your parents will help anything, so unless you are determined to do so, keep pretending. Good luck.
2006-11-02 19:35:17 · answer #9 · answered by reverenceofme 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
do you trust your own judgement?
if you do, then you have to be strong and face down your family. If were you, I would tell my family that i were a deist, that is, you believe in god but not in jesus and all that.
If you really think its all a piece of nonsense, dont tell them straight out. Your family have lots of time to come to the conclusion themselves about your religious beliefs. Dont give them a heart attack.
I hope it goes alright for you and yours
pol
2006-11-02 19:37:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋