my whole family's religion is Roman Catholic. one time, my dad's co-worker brought him to a Christian church. he liked it, and so he brought me there as well. i have to admit that i had great fun. now he wants me and my mom to convert with him. i don't know why, but i have this feeling that's holding me back from doing so. maybe it's 'cause i'm not entirely familiar with Christianity? i dunno...any advice?
2007-11-10 02:56:48 · 24 answers · asked by lilbopit 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
**sorry, i meant the "born again" kind of Christianity
2007-11-10 03:39:58 · update #1
Until you see yourself as a sinner responsible for the death of Jesus Christ - until you see Christ crucified for you, personally - until you see that you have absolutely no hope whatsoever without a personal relationship with Jesus as the center and LORD (boss) of your life, then there is no reason or value to "convert" to Christianity.
Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever taken something not rightfully yours to take? Have you ever looked at another person with sexual desires? (Jesus says this is the same as adultery to God.) Have you ever been angry with another person, possibly even going so far as to actually hate that other person? (Jesus said that from God's perspective, you're already guilty of murder). Have you ever used God's name as a swear word or when you could have said something else, such as "Oh, rats!"? That is called blasphemy.
I don't know how you answered these questions, but if you had to say "yes" to them all, that would make you a lying, thieving, adulterous, murderous blasphemer.
Not only that, but if you have ever told a lie or taken something not rightfully yours to take, but you don't like being lied to, or having your own stuff stolen, that gives you a double-standard called hypocracy.
Adding that to the list, you become a lying, thieving, adulterous, murderous, blasphemous hypocrite! (In that light, it looks pretty bad!)
Jesus died to pay the penalty for those sins (crimes against God) by dying on the cross. The Bible says that even though Jesus knew no sin, He actually became sin FOR us. He traded places with us and took OUR place on the cross.
When you see Christ dying because of you, for you, and "as" you, then you can cry out to God for forgiveness and become part of God's Forever Family.
Then, and only then do you actually become a Christian. Changing churches doesn't make you a Christian.
It may be that your father has had a "born again" experience (Jesus said "You MUST be born again"), and is praying that you will have the same experience by attending this other church. Why not just sit down and ask him about his decision, and if he says anything to that nature, then you'll understand that he is concerned with your eternal salvation, and not trying to "convert" you to anything.
May God bless and guide you as you think through these things, and may you find and discover the joy, peace and forgiveness of God for yourself.
2007-11-10 03:09:41 · answer #1 · answered by no1home2day 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Roman Catholic is a Christian religion. What do you mean convert? I think you need to find out more about how this church is different from the one you have been going to. Talk to your parents about it.
2007-11-10 03:02:23 · answer #2 · answered by ImUURU? 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Catholicism is Christianity, but I know what you mean. I would just attend the new Church with him a few more times. Roman Catholicism is very chauvanistic in the sense that you must worship in their way exclusively. This may or may not be right for you. As to which is "right"...remember, wherever 2 or more are gathered in his name, there he is also.
Wouldn't hurt you to worship in different ways if it pleases your Dad. Tell him its too soon to convert..that you need to pray about it and put some more thought into it.
2007-11-10 03:04:45 · answer #3 · answered by Joanna S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your core values are Catholic, you would probably have a strong resistance to Christian doctrines.
If you are an emotionally mature, self-responsible person, you can't let any other person make your religious decisions for you. You have to trust your own conscience just as any other adult must do.
This is part of growing up. Your father wants what's best for you, but the decision has to be your own. You can't make a commitment to a choice that someone else makes for you and a religious belief is something that requires your commitment.
Tell your father that you love him, that you understand that he loves you and that you have to decide for yourself. Good luck.
2007-11-10 03:16:57 · answer #4 · answered by anyone 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as long as you live at home and in your parent's care you most likely have to attend church where they say and if they are into Christianity it is their belief that the man is the one in charge of these things. So you might have to attend unless you convince him you do not want to. But he or no one can make you believe what you do not believe. Keep your wits about you and keep yourself informed all the time. So you will not be brain-washed into believing what you really do not. If you believe in the Bible or God then read it often so you can make a wise choice. Good luck!
2007-11-10 03:08:13 · answer #5 · answered by just because 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't be forced to be a Christian.
Christians have accepted with their hearts what Jesus Christ came to earth and did for them
I believe you are confusing a religion with being a Christian. It is a very common error to make.
My advise is to learn everything you can about what Jesus did for you through his death. Then make your own choice. That's really how it works for all Christians. None were ever forced to believe with their hearts.
2007-11-10 03:02:57 · answer #6 · answered by doug 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are God's choice. It is not by accident your father was changed by the spirit to want to be a Christian. God orchestrates our salvation and it often includes generations. If God be for you in time you will understand. God sends his message to heal us by any means necessary. We are on a assignment. For the good of those that love God and are called according to his purpose. Just because a Christian encourages a thing. God makes it profit. We gain nothing from it,God gains everything from what he does for us. We give him praise and Thanksgiving for them. He gives us love for everyone. Christianity has nothing to do with what a Christian does it is God and what he does in and through us.
2007-11-10 03:16:58 · answer #7 · answered by God is love. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your family follows the practices of the early church, then a head of household gets to dictate the affairs of his family. Obey your parents. You'll get the chance to dictate your own affairs soon enough. They are simply raising you as they see fit.
2007-11-10 03:53:51 · answer #8 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because you attend doesn't require you to convert. Whatever occurs, even if you are forced to put on an outward display of belief, you have the power to keep your intellectual integrity and believe what you think is correct inside.
Good luck with it.
2007-11-10 03:00:30 · answer #9 · answered by kriosalysia 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I am not sure of your age, but your parents should not be forcing what they believe on you. It is just wrong of them to do so, even though you will never be able to convince them otherwise. Only you can live for you. If you have to go through the motions to live in peace then do so, and when you are of age and out of the house let them know how you really feel. I had to do that with my parents.
2007-11-10 03:02:03 · answer #10 · answered by Celtickarma 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋