My parents are the least accepting people I have ever seen and are absolutely terrified that I am an athiest and completely reject Christianity even though they have forced it on me for so long and even forced me to attend a Catholic School..........Now there attepting to make me get confirmed but they don't get it............how do i get through to them.............is there any laws against this?>
2007-10-15 12:02:41 · 34 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
By the way, I refuse to get confirmed, its out of the question, but its not so much about that as it is that I feel like crap about it.......Its truly what i belive and i dont mean to offend any one but i dont think theres a god or a heaven and a hell......i wish i could have sweet everlasting life but i dont belive in it.....and it deeply hurts me that my parents belive im going to burn in hell while there in heaven even though i dont belive in either.......they are also disapointed in me that I am not faithful......i feel like im taking crazy pills
2007-10-15 12:22:27 · update #1
I am 17....................and i plan to pay for college......
And stop condeming me to hell and/or pittying me because I dont belive, your not helping and i am one of the happiest guys on the planet..........i will never ever believe no matter what
2007-10-15 12:42:12 · update #2
I think this could be justified as a form of child abuse. No, its not physical but mental for sure. Parents start with this when children are too young to make their own judgment and sell it like its a matter of fact. Obviously you are way smarter than this and you need to stand up for the way you feel or this will go on the rest of your life. I've seen religious family's turn on their own children before and treat them as outcasts. How old are you? This would be easy if your close to 18 but unsure as to advise you on legal action. Good Luck
2007-10-15 12:13:52 · answer #1 · answered by Bryan W 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Your story makes me so sad. My Mom is fabulous - but she really wanted me to be a Catholic. It just didn't work out that way. I was nasty about it at times - but now I'm 50 and she's 80 - and she's a great Catholic - and I'm a great Religious Scientist - and we respect and love each other. I hope your story will have a happy ending too.
No - there is no law against it - but NOBODY can control your mind except you. I know you are probably dependent on them for the roof over your head - and possibly even your upcoming college. It's so sad when parents require their kids to take on their religious beliefs as "rules of the house." It's just not right.
Don't be a jerk about it. Tell them you will go along with their rules for as long as you have to - and then do it. Go through the confirmation (it means nothing if you don't feel it in your heart) Go to mass (it means nothing if you don't believe it) And go to the Catholic school (and be GRATEFUL - because you are probably getting a much better education there than at a public school - and many non-Catholics attend Catholic schools these days) When you get older - weigh things up (support from your parents vs. independence) and when it seems like it's the time to break free - do it.
Believe it or not - your parents DO want what's best for you. They just don't understand that a choice about a religion or in your case NO religion - is a very personal decision. It's not inherited like the color of your eyes.
I wish you well. Namaste!!
2007-10-15 12:18:59 · answer #2 · answered by liddabet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Parents can make you do lots of things you don't want to do, but they can't change what you think. Try this:
1. Have an honest, polite conversation with them about your atheism. Be respectful of their beliefs, and of their rights/responsibilities to educate you as they see fit. Tell them that you don't share their faith, but that you value other things about them.
2. If this doesn't work, have the same conversation with your priest. You will not be confirmed if you are an atheist. This will solve your immediate problem.
3. Consider the possibility that your current lack of faith is a normal part of teenage separation psychology, i.e. that you are placing distance between yourself and your parents by disagreeing on a fundamental value. I'm not saying that you will wake up tomorrow and be a Bible-banger, just that theological volitility is quite common in your age group. Keep an open mind and see where you end up. If it's not too much trouble, keep a diary on such things. It might be fascinating reading in 10 years or so.
2007-10-15 12:11:30 · answer #3 · answered by unabashed 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no...sorry.
I'm really sorry that you parents are acting that way. My mother is one of the most understanding people I have ever met. When my sister came out my mom handled it incredibly well...when my other sister decided to being a Christian my mom told her it was her choice and treated that with respect and love. I know that you are now an atheist, but I will pray that God softens their hearts and gives you the strength to stand by your decisions...
and remind your parents that by their own belief system you have free will and thus the right to chose to follow god or not.
Good for you for making a decision based on your beliefs not those of your parents and those around you.
2007-10-15 13:01:45 · answer #4 · answered by OldSchoolLove 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your parents may never understand and you may have to accept that they simply don't get it... All you can do is live your life according to your beliefs...
Parent and children often butt heads it's pretty standard interaction especially with teenagers... A lot of the butting of heads will simply evaporate as you the child age into your 29's and your parents feel you are an adult....
I know it's hard I butted heads with my parents countless times just remember things will settle down and they willl eventually treat you as an adult capable of making your own decisions... Until then try to communicate as much as possible while still living by your beliefs....
2007-10-15 12:24:09 · answer #5 · answered by Diane (PFLAG) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When it comes to religion people tend to get a bit crazy about their beliefs. My suggestion to you is to go with the flow and quit fighting them. Soon you will be an adult and on your own and free to explore the many types of Christianity as well as different Catholic churches. Sometimes it's not the religion that is the problem, but the messenger. Religion is a very personal issue once you become an adult. Until then you are at the mercy of your parents. Relax, it won't kill you to follow your parents wishes.....and it will make things easier at home for now. Good luck
2007-10-15 12:10:44 · answer #6 · answered by Barbiq 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Catholic school is private. And a few anti-god remarks could get kicked out rather easily. Also there are no laws but the only possible arugemt is endagering the welfare of a child. On the grounds that it is destroying your personality and beliefs, hard to argue in a court though. As far as confermation when the bishops asks you whatever it is they ask say no, they cant really do anything about that or when you write your letter to the bishop tell him of your "belief". Then if you recieve punishment for that, then you have a first Amendment Rights argument.
2007-10-15 12:08:11 · answer #7 · answered by MyNameAShadi 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
My friend,
Oftentimes, our parents do not understand us but there are also times that we too, do not understand them. Though I am sorry that Christianity was forced unto you, they must have a fairly good reason why they have done it. I think they introduced Christianity to you not because they wanted you under their control or be under control of anything but for you to understand why they think it is important to them. Going to Catholic school will not give you enough information about Christianity. So I guess it is not fair to just completely reject it. Though they have their shortcomings, I am sure that they are good parents. And I think that it is also not fair to completely reject them.
I ask you to give a little of your time to study Catholicism and be a little patient to them. If you need help with Catholicism, my email is open.
My prayers are with you!
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
2007-10-15 12:45:13 · answer #8 · answered by jake 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are your parents and as long as you are a minor they make the rules. Try to talk this out calmly and rationally with them so they understand your position. It makes no sense for you to be confirmed when you do not share the religious beliefs of your parents.
2007-10-15 12:10:01 · answer #9 · answered by Richard B 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
hi Eric, nicely, human beings do no longer basically "have faith" in God the way they do "Santa Claus". actually, history shows the belief of "Santa Claus" became into quite a morphing of the historicity of an genuinely, real guy or woman, Saint Nicholas. St. Nicholas became right into a real guy who made toys for the unfavorable little ones in an orphanage. The "spirit" of 'St. Nick' became into one in all unselfish giving and love. it quite is the component to propagate no longer the guy interior the pink journey who's all approximately shops. God is a character you're able to be attentive to. I comprehend you do no longer have faith me, yet God is real; some memories approximately God are myths basically like the pink journey guy. people who think of God is magic and the afterlife is one in all magical mystical bliss are no longer rather getting the full tale. sometime, while you're ever attracted to getting the full tale, examine out The Urantia e book on God, and do a splash learn with regard to the real Saint Nicholas. you're able to savour that. OH, and that i agree you will no longer do away with faith because of the fact with God being countless and eternal, the greater you detect and be attentive to God, the greater you be attentive to approximately God and of God the greater there is to nevertheless detect. he's vast and so is the universe of universes. this is real, too. yet of direction, you look to basically prefer to have earth to think of approximately; and not the thought there is greater available than we expect of, that this is a mechanistic universe all a huge bang accident with out objective different than to stay on your guy or woman sake?? ok then.
2016-10-09 07:33:43 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋