how to find religion from parents?

Question

When i was born my family was catholic- at age 10 my parents left the catholic church, taking me with them. I am now 19 and am going back. While Im at college its easy to pratice my faith because my parents arn't there. I have to go home for 5 months durring the summer and dont know how I can keep it a secret from my parents.

They dislike catholics. On Easter we got into an argument when I tried to bring it up, so Im nto sure what to do now. Any suggestions?

hide religion, not find

Answer 1

You are old enough to practice any religion you wish.

Answer 2

I have so much sympathy for you! I have to hide my religion from my parents as well. They would just not understand and I don't see the point in upsetting them. But on the other hand, it is difficult when you live with them because you feel like you are not able to practice your own faith, and so you feel trapped and imprisoned to some degree.

In my experiences over the years with having a religion different from my parents, the best advice I can give anyone in the same situation is to show absolute respect for your parents' religion. Looking back, I realize that I didn't show respect for their Christianity. Now that I have learned more, I realize that Christianity is a valid path to God, and I do not look down on it. But before, I didn't respect my family's religion, and so I don't know why I expected them to respect mine.

If you get into a confrontation about your Catholic beliefs, remain calm and respectful. Tell them that you have found that this is where you feel most at home in religion, and even though they may not understand, this is where you feel you need to be right now. Let them know that you respect where they are coming from, but ask for respect and patience in return.

A lot depends on the personality and current beliefs of your parents, and on your personality. In my own situation, I have decided that it is best to just not tell my parents of my beliefs. I have changed religion 2 times, and the 1st time I let them know, and it was just awful. But now, I have not told them that I'm Hindu, but the main thing is, I respect their beliefs now. They are happy because of that, even though they realize I don't believe in all the same things they do. (They only know a part of what I believe).

Avoid trying to convince them that you are right. Just make a decision that you will differ on religion, and have utmost respect for theirs. That is the only way they will gain respect for yours. Do not ever raise your voice in an argument about religion. Be calm and tender. That is very important.

I wish you the best.

Answer 3

I understand your problem in a VERY personnel way. I was born & raised Catholic, went to Catholic schools from kindergarten through 12th.
I got married in the Catholic Church & baptized our son Catholic, when he was 7 went joined another Church & stayed there for 25 years, I am now back to my roots & went back to my Catholic up bringing. I understand your dilemma from all angles. Is there any way you can "calmly" sit your parents down & just have a talk. Tell them that your love & respect for them come first but this is your choice & this is where God wants you to be. If they are born again Christians & believe God has a perfect plan for each of us they should love you & respect where you choose to worship. If they don't then they are living a lie of worshipping God & not having love & excepting you for what God has for you at this time.
God Bless you !

Answer 4

My dear friend; I must agree with your parents on this one. If it were not for the catholic religion Hitler might have never been successful in doing what he did while in power. When Hitler came back to Germany after his first conquest the Catholic bishops were welcoming him with open arms and approval, a sign to him that the catholic church worldwide was behind his devil acts, and they were. The catholic church has removed God's name-Jehovah, from the bible, a name that was used in the original scriptures nearly seven thousand times. They also fused true Christians with pagan teachings so that they could involve more people into their church-such as Easter, Christmas,saints, purgatory, hell, cross, trinity, idolatry, spirit ism, and countless other false doctrines. Your parents are trying to save you from spiritual death, Jusus did not come from being the second highest in the universe to die for us so that we could follow the very things that He did not teach us. His teachings condemn the above doctrines and lead to everlasting destruction for those that follow them. If you are really looking for religion read the bible and ask God to bless you with His Holy spirit so that you can find what truth is and which religion teaches it. The true religion will not take part in politics-Jusus told his followers that he was no part of this world (the political system) so his followers were not to be part of this world also. If a church sides with a government to go and kill others (often members of the same faith), then they are not part of the true religion. If they pray to or have idols, then they are in contradiction with God- He hates an idol worshiper.If your religion does not use God's name-Jehovah, then how could you sanctify His name (let your name be sanctified) when you pray to him through His Son Jesus Christ? And the list goes on and on, you need to research some more so that you can find the true faith. I don't know what your parents believe in, but they are right to get you out of that church, but each one of us will be resposible for our actions before God, so get to know who He is, what He requires of us, and then give Him the sacret service that He desrves.....KECK

Answer 5

I would suggest reading the Holy Bible, and decide if the catholic church is where you belong. God knows the priests don't want you to know more than they teach you. In any case if you're worshiping God, and praising Christ you will be blessed. Your parents are certainly not going to dis-own you for exploring the faith they once practiced - ask them why they left.

Answer 6

What most familys don't realize is that, the church is not God. God has absolutely nothing to do with the humanly mistakes we have made, ie: bad things that have happend in the church. Your family has to realize that before making such a bold move of removing all of you from church. Also, maybe try presbeterian church with your family, its much like catholic church, but much more lively and not as many traditions and maybe they would warm up to the idea more. I hope this helps, and I am proud of you for sticking to your faith no matter what! and so is God.

Answer 7

You should never hide your beliefs, The only thing that you hide is some thing that you feel is wrong. or are ashamed of.

Your parents may not be happy but they love you and will except your decision.

My son is 22 years old. I raised him in church, He has chosen to turn away from their church.

I don't like it no but you know what God created us and if he gives us the choice and freewill I figure that I don't have the right to deny my son his God given rights.

If you lie to your parents, you are not living what you believe.
If they ask you about it you should be honest with them and then add I know how you feel and you have the right to feel that way. But I also know what I feel and I have to do what I believe is right in my life.

That is all that needs to be said. Don't partake in the argument.

Answer 8

I know what it feels like to have to hide my religion from my parents (who ironically enough were Catholic while I myself was not).

To "practice your faith", wouldn't that mostly entail just going to mass once every weekend? I don't see how hard it is to be out of the house on the weekends and find one hour to sneak off to mass.

Answer 9

Live your own life. You did not come from your mother and father to this earth, but FROM God, only through your mother - God makes every life for a reason and no one should hold you back from praising him


If there's fear of arguments, just let it go, don't bring it up. You don't have to shout it to the world.

Answer 10

Just tell your parents that you believe and for them to give you some flexibility in that issue. Pray for direction and read the bible, blessings on your journey of faith.

Answer 11

I would tell them. Since they were once Catholics themselves, they should understand. They may not like Catholics, but you are not just a Catholic, you are their daughter.