2006-12-16 22:58:49 · 17 answers · asked by katze 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
No. No one should make anyone go to church. Religion is a very personal thing and at 16 I think you are old enough and mature enough to make the decision yourself.
2006-12-16 23:03:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just trying to understand the question a little more. I'm going to assume that you were brought up religious and now are either an atheist, or just don't care anymore, or are religious but simply don't want to go to church.
Your parents should treat you like an adult as you are 16. I don't think they can "make" you go to church. You have a right to freedom of religion like anyone else. But on a practical level, it might not be advisable.
Try to find out why exactly they are scared of you not going to church. It maybe that they can't take you being an adult and making your own decisions. Are your parents a little older than most?
Being practical, as you are 16, try getting a job at weekends. Then they can't really say anything then, especially as a lot of places pay time and a half on Sundays. Getting a job will also give you an extra level of independence, and should help prevent your parents from treating you like a 5 year old!
2006-12-17 14:25:04 · answer #2 · answered by Adie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suppose the question is "What can they do if you refuse to go to church?" - I'm assuming they can't physically drag you to church against your will!
If you live at home and they support you, it's their choice how much of that support they choose to withdraw if you don't go. Worst case scenario is that they could throw you out, but only you can judge if your parents are that harsh.
In most families, the worst case scenario would be nagging, nagging and more nagging if you refused, with maybe a refusal of taxi service, clothes money, etc as a way of expresssing their displeasure.
So it's your choice - are you willing to put up with the earache in order to stand your ground? Or is it easier to let them win this battle, go and spend an hour thinking your own thoughts and ignoring what goes on around you?
Most parents only want the best for their kids, so they must believe that this is for the best. However, very few parents are utterly unreasonable. Have you had a rational conversation with them i.e. one that doesn't involve shouting and sulking on both sides? Ask them what they think you'll get out of going to church - then you can address each point e.g. how you feel when you have to go, what effect it has, how you don't have to be religious to be a good person, etc. You need to get then to understand your viewpoint (albeit probably grudgingly) if you don't want your homelife to be a constant battlefield.
Is there a give-and-take you can use on this e.g. "you go to church on your own every Sunday and I'll come with you to see Grandma once a fornight" sort of thing - that way everyone gets something they want
Best of luck
2006-12-17 07:35:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well probably yes because they are your parents and you still live under their roof, eat their food and share their money.
Instead of looking at it in a negative way think of it in a good way. I mean, if you pray at church more things may come true. You may become fond of some of the hymns they play if you just listened. You can also use this as like 1 hour of thinking time! I know how it feels, my parents make me go to church, it's not like i enjoy it but it's something i have to do so I make the most out of it
2006-12-17 07:03:03 · answer #4 · answered by jo4idol 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We as kids were forced to go to church twice a Sunday. I hated it. As a result i don not go to church at all now and would never ever force anyone to do so. So if you have to go once on a Sunday class yourself lucky. We were also not allowed reading comics, sewing a button on clothing [we were told we are sticking the needle in God's eye] we had to spend the whole Sunday reading and learning the bible. I hate church now.
2006-12-17 10:16:08 · answer #5 · answered by Duisend-poot 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whats with in the UK,great place to live in,as for parents and church,ever thought your folk consider it to be the right thing to do, don't really matter what your age is then
2006-12-17 14:25:22 · answer #6 · answered by barnowl 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They can't force you to go but living in their house gives them a moral advantage. Point out to them that at sixteen you are old enough to make up your own mind and that thanks to their bringing you up, you have absorbed the lessons that the church has taught and you would like to spend Sunday mornings contemplating those lessons on your own. You don't have to believe it to say it. They might try to blackmail you by threatening to deprive you of something but you could tell them that's not a very Christian way to behave. I hope you succeed.
2006-12-17 07:23:31 · answer #7 · answered by checkmate 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course not!!! No matter the age you have the right to choose what you want to do! You should go to the church only if you like it and find it beneficial for you.
2006-12-17 07:03:14 · answer #8 · answered by iunona_33 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They cannot physically force you i.e. drag you there, but in many households it is a case of following your family's rules. If you really don't want to go to church I suggest you talk to them about the reasons why. They can't make you believe in something you don't.
2006-12-17 07:04:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i guess because you are still a 'child' (under 18) your parents still have a role in guiding you and teaching you. for them, part of that is providing a christian (?) upbringing.
be pleased they care enough about you to try and provide what they consider to be the best for you. it's the kids that have parents who don't care what they do or get up to that end up getting into trouble purely out of trying to get their parents to care enough about them.
you're nearly there (adulthood), just a little longer and you can decide for yourself.
all the best.
2006-12-17 07:33:59 · answer #10 · answered by noodle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋