what do you do if you want to be Baptist but your parents dont agree? how can i prove its a good idea?

Question

i truly want to be Baptist but i have to prove its a good idea tonite... wat do i say? please help. this means alot to me

btw- im 14
thanks

My parents are Methodist and Catholic

They said they wanted me to find a religion on my own. But when I did they didnt accept it. Idk what to do. I have thought through this carefuly and it is what i want. Your never too young to believe. And i believe to the greatest extent. I am A saved baptist.
Please pray for god to touch my parents heart and accept that i am different then them

I will pray for you if you request. I am here with open handss!

Answer 1

You just have to explain what it is about the Baptist faith that you believe. Explain what it is about the faith that you were raised in that makes it difficult for you to accept. As long as you have thought about what you are professing to believe, I don't see how your parents could deny you the right to believe it. However, you need to remember to respect their faith as well.

Edit: Although I agree with Elliott, I think the way you learn is by trying things that make sense to you. Someday you may "grow out" of your fascination with being a Baptist, but you won't know unless you try.

Answer 2

You're only 14 and you definitelly have a LOT to learn yet. Don't concentrate on what denomination you want to be. Baptists don't have a monopoly on the truth (and I'm a baptist so I can say that). What you need to concentrate on is being a christian. As a christian you are told to obey your parents. As long as they're not making you go to a satanic church or something, you'll get farther by obeying them then by arguing with them.
When you mature and are on your own, you'll have plenty of time to visit any kind of church you want. I went to my parents church until I was old enough to be on my own.
There were a lot of things I dissagreed with about their church, but now that I look back, the baptist church and the other churches I've been in are not any better. I still can't see myself as part of their church, but I learned some good things even there.

response to added details:
wow, it seems like your parents are not even in agreement about what church they attend together. I couldn't imagine me and my wife going to different churches, that's crazy. What's the point of being married then? I would say it's ok to ask them if you can go to the baptist church, but make it clear that you will abide by their decision whatever it will be. If they can't agree on where to go together, how can they decide where you should go?

Answer 3

You don't say what your parents beliefs are and this might affect the way I would recommend you speak to them. Nevertheless, I would remember that your goal is to persuade them. Don't be rude or argue. Try to persuade them that you believe being Baptist will benefit you spiritually and tell them how important this is to you. Tell them that you think this will make you a better and more obedient child with better work habits at school, both of which will make your life better in the long run. Most importantly, pray that God touches the hearts of your parents and gives you favor with them.
_________

Update -- Your parents being from different denominations helps your case. You hope they can accept you the same way they accepted one another. If they see their own denomination as the only valid one why did they marry outside of it?

Answer 4

Nobody knows what they truly want at 14.

But tell us more....why do you want to be Baptist? If I knew the reasons, then I could better say what your parents might say to counter it.

Ofcourse, this is believing that your parents can be swayed and don't have a closed mind about this. What are your parents and why don't they want you to be baptist?

Answer 5

It is your choice and your choice alone. Your parents can try to guide you one way even if you want to go another. If you want to be Baptis then you can. If you live in America then its called the first amendmit. Freedom of religion. Besides your parents cant disown you because of it. Your forteen. They cant kick you out just yet. But when you hit 18 your out the doot most likely.

Answer 6

You're fourteen? And you think you have all the information to make an informed, objective decision about religion?

I suggest you sit down and work out exactly why you want to be a Baptist. If you can come up with a single logical reason, that couldn't be applied to any other religion, then please let me know.

Answer 7

If you are already saved, then pray to your Father and He will guide you. This is a test of your faith, no matter what they say.

If you do not know what I am talking about, or if your motive is for some guy, then you need to understand what being a born-again Christian really means.

Answer 8

They should be reminded that it is your connection with the higher power you believe in and the fact that you care at all is a really good thing.......do it quietly and politely, tell them what attracts you about the church and why you want to go. religion is touchy, and emotionally charged, so what ever you do don't go in with attitude.......!!!

Answer 9

well... why do YOU think it's a good idea?

You must have reasons that are compelling you. What religion are your parents? What reasons do they have for objecting?

It's kind of hard to offer help if you don't tell us what you're feeling & thinking...

Answer 10

If your parents were Christians I'm sure they would agree with you, so I assume they are not.
Baptism is a show of faith but is not required to be a Christian or to be saved. If they really fight it, you could wait until you are 18.