Christian school but dont believe in god.....?

Question

I go to a christian school where every aspect of every teachers teaching comes from the bible..(besides math but and thats why its my favorite subject). i hate this because secretly i dont believe in god.. i feel like god is being shoved down my throat... the problem is i havn't told anyone not even my parents ,family, friends, anyone that im not a christian and dont believe in god.... the other problem is you have to believe in god to go to the school... and the school gives a really good education and is the best school in the county..if i tell my friends im an athiest im afraid they will think of me differently. and if i tell the school im afraid they will try to give me a daily counseler who tries to make me become a christian. so what do i do? do i just stay quiet until i graduate or do i speak up to the school or do i just tell my friends?

when i say its "the best school in the county" the other schools arent any good to begin with. also if it matters im in 9th grade. and the school is very small there are only 16 people in the 9th grade and 9 in the senior class. so i dont have many people to choose to hang out with. i only have maybe 4 friends that i like in the whole school and thier not even in my grade. plus because its a private school you pay alot to go there and most of the people are spoiled brats with alot of money

Answer 1

There are no easy answers to this one. Do you stay for the good education, and put up with the Christian teachings? Or do you go elsewhere, free yourself of the Christian teachings, but sacrifice the quality of your education?

If you do choose to stay, and keep your atheism to yourself, wouldn't that be sort of dishonest? If you wanted to stay and say nothing, you'd be, in essence, living a lie. That can hurt you mentally and emotionally down the road.

If you choose to speak up, you have to assume that once you tell one person, no matter who it is, your secret will find its way around. And that may eventually get you kicked out. Also, if your friends attend the same school, and they know you shouldn't be there, they have to say something, or else THEY'D be lying, too. Sooner or later, someone will come clean, and that will make things even worse for all of you.

It's not an easy decision. But I would suggest that if you tell one person, you should assume it's going to be told to everyone. So either tell everyone, or tell no one.

In the end, the final question here is, How honest are you going to be to yourself? Think about that, OK?

Answer 2

As you get older, this understanding of what it means to believe in God or not to believe may look very different. There is so many bizzare things that people tell kids about faith to trick them into doing things that are less risky... it might be safe to say that you're just tired of all the crap. Every story sounds weird and contrived, everything is meant as a way to make you feel guilty for not doing what adults tell you, and it makes the entire religion look suspicious. I imagine you experience all of these each day. and it is a load of crap.

It's ok to be tired of the crap, but remember, you too have your owe agenda. You want to get into a good college, do well in college, and drive a car that doesn't have a 'vote Nader' sticker on it from the hippy who owned it before you. So go along with the crap- it's partly what makes this school better than the rest- and wait till your an adult before you put too much weight on if you believe or not... it takes a lifetime to even under what the word 'believe' means.

Answer 3

Depends how long it is until you graduate. If, as you say, it's the best school in the country, then it will help you get a good university placement. But if every subject besides maths is based on Christian teaching, then I doubt it really is the best school. In science, you would be taught creationism to the exclusion of Darwinism. In history, you would be taught a biased account of the Crusades and the inquisition. Personally, I think you could get a better education somewhere else.

Answer 4

So you're faking it, Christian-wise, in order to get a good education? I suppose it's up to you whether or not it's worth it. Sounds like a pretty miserable day-to-day existence to me (which is high school in a nutshell for almost everybody, whatever school they go to, but your experience is amplified).

Seriously, though, you definitely need to talk to someone about this. A friend you trust to not freak out the minute he/she hears you don't believe in God, a sympathetic family member ... there's got to be somebody who, even if they can't actually change the situation, can help you figure out what to do (especially how to approach your parents!) and give you a little validation.

Answer 5

If you are getting a better education I would grit my teeth and bear it. Depending on how progressive it is you might want to do some extra study when it comes to evolution (or geology and history if it is a YEC school.) You will not get a second chance to get a great education.

If you think that they are going to put you into special counseling, and that you parents will come down on the school's side rather than yours then I would keep quiet. Unless you want to see if you can make your councilor into and atheist - he's stuck with you as much as you are stuck with him. Christians tend to get very uncomfortable and have to go away when they try to witness me.

Answer 6

depends, i guess. i suggest only telling those you most trust. as for the school, just tune them out or doodle or something, find a way to get around the religion being shoved down your throat. if it's a while till you graduate, maybe you should come clean now. if not, well, would they really give you a counselor or kick you out? individual beleifs are important, but so is education. so, i don't really have an answer.

Answer 7

It's good tell at least someone, whether that's your parents or your friends - someone that won't think negatively of you for having a different viewpoint.

I guess it's up to you if you want to stay in the school. A good education is important; i went to a Christian school for a couple years to avoid going to a rotten public school.

Answer 8

Do you go to my school? I go to a Christian school and I feel the same way as you do, and I haven't told any of my family members either. Though I did tell my best friend, she totally agrees and sympathizes with me.

You should start by telling your best friend, and if they understand then tell a few more friends a couple weeks later. Then a few more, and then perhaps your parents. If you really hate the school, then see if you can switch to a different one.

Good luck!

Answer 9

If you like the school, teachers, getting a good education, etc. - you need to keep your mouth shut.

If you don't like the school - start looking for another (state, non-religious affiliated) school where you will be more comfortable and then plan to transfer after the semester ends.

The worst possible option is to publicly declare your ATHEISM and stay enrolled in a Christian school. That's just bad manners.

Answer 10

Good education is hard to find. I say that you should continue "believing in God" until you graduate, then you can let the floodgates open and tell the school that they honestly suck. Many universities don't require you to be their religion just because you go there. Notre Dame is a great example.