Help!

[kurdt318]

I'm writing this on a computer that I have been grounded from. I refused to go to church today and thus suffer the consequences.

My problem is that I have different religious beliefs than my mother, who forces me to go to a catholic church almost every sunday. I'm not some kid just wanting to get out of church so I can sleep in but, I feel guilty going to this church and being told "Jesus loves me why did I stray away from him?"

I've tried to talk to my mom about my religious beliefs but, she just changes the subject or walks away. I think she knows that I'm buddhist but, thinks she can still save me from the fires of hell.

I probably should be meditating on this but, any comments/suggestions/tips etc. would be greatly appreciated.

[Gorcrow]

How old are you?

I was forced to go to church too, even though I am an atheist. After a while, my parents just forgot about it.

However, it seems your won't simply forget about it.

You should very much put up some kind of nonviolent resistance. Even if she drags you to church you should still resist.

I know that all I did in church was sleep, or go to the bathroom and listen to anti-christian music like Deicide and Immolation.

You could refuse to participate in church ceremonies, like making the cross and doing the whole wine-and-jesus-cracker thing. Or you might just want to come across as too much of a nuisance to be in church.

I think the best route is communication. You need to get your mom to listen to you and understand you and respect your beliefs.

I know if it were any different in my case, I would be a real fucking asshole to her and all her friends. Luckily though, my mom is loving and respects me.

[Source]

Just tell her she can punish you all she wants, that forced believe isn't true belief. Then tell her you're a Buddhist and that you respect her beliefs, so she should respect yours.

If that doesn't work, club her in the head whilst shouting "Where's your God now, uh?!"

[This message has been edited by Source (edited 01-21-2007).]

[JesuitArtiste]

Why should it matter if you go to church? You have no God, and a church is a perfect place to sit around and think, nothing bad happening.. It's not like you're being contaminated.

If you really object to going.... Don't go.

[boozehound420]

put a big poster on the outside of your bedroom door outlining the budhist beliefs or something like that. Then do what Source said

I never got to have the feeling of throwing away my parents religion. Because they never imposed anything on me, whatsover.

I probly would have went over the top though. Asked the preist if I can make a speech. Did a whole thing on why I think my life is better suited without religion etc.

Doing it infront of the entire church would get the message to your parents real quik. And possibly spark a revolution in your church, im guessing there is probly shitloads of kids who dont believe what there parents are trying to force on them

your moms refusing to accept your not christian because she doesnt wanna be seen as a bad parent to her friends and other people at church. Explain to her that she's a good parent by raising you to be an individual, and you can think for yourself.

[This message has been edited by boozehound420 (edited 01-22-2007).]

[ArmsMerchant]

For what it's worth, you have my sympathy. Chrisitanity in general--and Catholicism in particular--is a religion of fear and denial. Over the years, at various 12-step meetings, I have heard people referring to themselves as "recovering Catholics"--that is, they are recovering from the damage done to them by Catholic dogma.

You might try quoting Jesus--"the kingdom of God is within you"--and add, why then does one need to go to church?

[LostCause]

If you're truly an Atheist then is shouldn't bother you that other people think Jesus died for your sins and you turned away from them, because you don't believe Jesus is god. And it makes your mother happy, who you depend on. You can indulge her one day out of the week.

Unless... you're not sure you're an Atheist.

Cheers,

Lost

[xray]

quote:Originally posted by LostCause:

If you're truly an Atheist then is shouldn't bother you that other people think Jesus died for your sins and you turned away from them, because you don't believe Jesus is god.

Oh really? It shouldn't bother him that his mother is taking him to church trying to convert him into being a member of her cult that believes he must believe what they do or he will suffer in hell?

He already expressed that he's young and that he has feelings of guilt from straying from the brainwashing he's dealt with for years, and it shouldn't bother him when loved ones and/or members of the community in church tell him ""Jesus loves you why did you stray away from him?" if he's truly an atheist? Get a clue!

[easeoflife22]

I think he said that he was a buddhist, not atheist.

Communicating to your mom is not going to work as she is a irrational Christian and won't ever listen. Really, anyone who believes in a God is quite irrational since you can't come to that conclusion rationally from the evidence available, since there is none. Some christians still believe the earth was formed 6000 years ago, and that evolution is a conspiracy by the scientific community to undermine God.

Honestly Dude, you're only answer is to keep resisting until she just gives up and accepts your beliefs.

[cakezone]

I guess it may depend on how old you are (whether you want to just stop fighting it and go to church until you move out), but honestly, if you really feel that Jesus is not your savior, then don't let going to church for a few hours bother you. If nothing else, sleep, listen to some music, even read. I'm sure theres something you can do with a few hours of quiet time on a Sunday.

You have to ask yourself if putting up all this protest is really worth it. It's probably not. Like LostCause said, your mom gives you a lot, and if your beliefs are that situated, it isn't going to have negative effects on you if you go to church with her once a week.

edit: think of it like doing a favor for someone you love. You mom probably put up with a lot of driving your ass around when you were a kid. It's probably a lot easier for you to just return the favor.

[This message has been edited by cakezone (edited 01-22-2007).]