I am 16 years old and a former Christian, I converted to Buddhism in September, and I have been happy ever since. I am growing up and realizing that there is no god, and the power to heal our suffering can be achieved by following the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path. My family thinks that I worship Buddha, which is not true, because Buddha is not considered a god. He was an agnostic himself. I go to church, only because I am made to. I want my own religious freedom and be allowed to practise my own religion. How can I explain how I feel to my mother?
2007-02-01 08:04:27 · 21 answers · asked by creativebuddhism 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Move out get a job, pay your own rent live in the real world.
If you are still dependent on your parents, you play by their rules.
When you are not financially dependent on them, (including them giving you cash) you are then a Man.
Good Luck, and remember, you are always welcome back!
Peace!
2007-02-01 08:09:15 · answer #1 · answered by C 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Until you're of the age of majority, I'm afraid you'll have to put up with your mother's wish to go to church. You might want to cultivate an attitude of appreciation: observe what happens in the church and how and why it makes people happy, and allow yourself to take refreshment in their happiness and respect their traditions. This will let you get something out of the experience without compromising your own beliefs.
I'd advise printing out some basic info about Buddhism for your mother to read at her leisure. As far as I can tell, not being Buddhist myself, the writeups at religioustolerance.org are pretty good:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/buddhism.htm
In the meantime, practice your own faith and bide your time. The day will come when you will be considered an adult and free to follow your own path. Best of luck to you!
2007-02-01 08:11:03 · answer #2 · answered by prairiecrow 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you are 18, you will have the opportunity to make your own decisions. I don't agree with Buddhism and I cannot disagree with you more about the existence of God. He does exist. And maybe the Church your parents go to are also not correct. I don't know. But you are only 16. Do as your parents tell you until you are of age. then you will be able to make your own decisions.
2007-02-01 08:18:02 · answer #3 · answered by rbarc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you might want to wait until you are 18 or old enough to move out, bc you don't want to make bad situation worse. It all depends on your mom, but most religious families don't take this kind of thing easy. Learn to do what is best for you and don't worry so much about what anyone (including your family) thinks! I am proud to hear you choose your own path. Be strong!
2007-02-01 08:15:30 · answer #4 · answered by Dereck 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well as long as you are living under your parents roof and under their care you can't do much about it the most that you can do is let them know that you don't care for the religion anymore and explain to them the religion of buddhism not that they will understand much as they most likely are closed minded when it comes to different religions anyway buddhism has no problem with you practicing different religions just as long as the religion teaches love and peace and all of the positive and good things that buddhism practices anyway that's the most that you can do until you are old enough and have the money to get your own place
2007-02-01 08:17:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would agree that you have freedom, only if Buddhist is okay to "worship" as you say he isn't a real god. well, i would think that you need to pray and think long and hard about the decision you've made because you can only find true happiness in God. granted, your family's religion may not be exact happiness, but if you go to church, and get the general feel of things, then you can study on your own to find God in your own way. its really quite simple. i'll be praying for you and God bless!
2007-02-01 08:11:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
At 16...you should not be forced to attend church. You have intelligence and your family should respect your wish to worship whatever way you choose. If they are unwilling to listen...the worst that can happen is you will have to do what your mom demands for 2 more years. Then you will be an adult and can make your choice...however, she needs to realize that whle you're being forced to go to a church of her choice, it is causing irrepairable damge to yours and her relationship
2007-02-01 08:10:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I went through the same thing when I started following the Pagan paths. What I did, and it helped greatly, was educate my parents about my beliefs and tell them how much this has enriched your day to day life. When THEY see that you have balance in your life, (as a parent myself now), it will give them more sense of security knowing you are fine. Did that make sense? Hope it helped.... :)
2007-02-01 08:09:44 · answer #8 · answered by cajunpalomino 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my prompt kin, there are 4. My grandparents on the two components have been converts to the Mormon church. all of them emigrated from Scotland and Denmark. My mothers and fathers have been Mormons, and we've been raised (greater or much less) in that faith. a number of my siblings prepare Mormonism, yet one sister is Methodist and one substitute into baptised as a Catholic (undecided if she is going to church anymore). Of my babies, one daughter isn't a church-goer, the different one converted to Catholocism. I even have not stumbled on an prepared faith that I felt had each and all of the solutions i mandatory. as we talk, i don't evaluate myself to be a member of any of them. despite if, i stumbled on it thrilling that my ideals fall greater below the Unitarian Universalist faith. a minimum of that's what an online assessment informed me when I took their try on what my ideals have been.
2016-10-16 10:18:22 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Right now your mother is more concerned about you than she is about how you feel about going to church. If you are sure Buddhism is for you then nothing can shake your belief so why not go out of respect for your mother. No one says you have to listen.
2007-02-01 08:08:07 · answer #10 · answered by gtahvfaith 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First of all you dont "convert" to Buddhism, secondly even Buddhist believe there is a God, I was married to a japanese Buddhist for 10 years, i should know. Thirdly, No matter what YOU want, you cant have it while living under your parents roof.
2007-02-01 08:07:26 · answer #11 · answered by Sean 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋