Its hard dealing with christian parents.

My parents are christian and i have been raised christian. But for the last year and a half I have not been christian. I don't believe in a God. But the thing is that they don't know. Its hard for me to tell them cause they would blame my friends, music, video games, and possibly what i watch on the TV or Internet. They would take it all away and they would force the bible on me and go all religiously crazy.

I'm 16 as a sophomore, I have two years left before college. It gets really hard having to deal with christian parents when they say crap like "you need to pray" or "read the bible it will guide you". Plus going to church almost every sunday gets annoying having to sit and wait for the pastor to shut up. You guys got any tips what i can do to deal with this? UPDATE: I don't wanna tell them mainly cause I'm afraid. They tend overreact to certain things. And I'm not sure how they would react to this. :(

tell them that your not christian

Well, before I can give you one of my bright pearls of wisdom, I'll need to ask you a question: how do you think your parents would react if you told them that you don't believe in God?

Why tell them about personal things they're your parents your supposed to tell them things that make your life easier, you gain nothing from this.

you should just lie about it, raise the roof and shout a few amens every once in awhile and everyone will leave you be.

it does not really hurt anything and the amount of prejudice you face is more trouble than it is worth.

hell, even galileo recanted so don't feel bad.

Well, before I can give you one of my bright pearls of wisdom, I'll need to ask you a question: how do you think your parents would react if you told them that you don't believe in God?

GreySeal9

Run away. I hear that's what all the cool kids are doing today.cd_rom

My parents are christian and i have been raised christian. But for the last year and a half I have not been christian. I don't believe in a God. But the thing is that they don't know. Its hard for me to tell them cause they would blame my friends, music, video games, and possibly what i watch on the TV or Internet. They would take it all away and they would force the bible on me and go all religiously crazy.

I'm 16 as a sophomore, I have two years left before college. It gets really hard having to deal with christian parents when they say crap like "you need to pray" or "read the bible it will guide you". Plus going to church almost every sunday gets annoying having to sit and wait for the pastor to shut up. You guys got any tips what i can do to deal with this?

ToastRider11

When I stopped being Protestant, I flat out told my mom.

The only person you should be telling that your an Atheist is yourself no one cares about your beliefs people will just consider you arrogant for being one. Never use the word atheist when stating your beliefs let the other person find out. Anyone who tells you to tell your parents that you're an atheist is a not sharp.

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

Well, before I can give you one of my bright pearls of wisdom, I'll need to ask you a question: how do you think your parents would react if you told them that you don't believe in God?

ToastRider11

Well, then you shouldn't tell them or at least wait until you're an adult.

My Mom is a pretty hardcore Christian (though she is a hardcore Democrat as well) and she is fine with me to not being a Christian. Your parents don't sound like the types that would respect your decision, so you're better off just going through the motions. Being told to read the Bible and attending church isn't going to hurt you and you'll probably be out on your own in two years anyhow.

It sucks that some parents can't be understanding when their kids lose their faith or become athiests/agnostics, but they still are your parents, and as someone who thinks that family is one of the most important things in life, I don't think one's beliefs are worth burning family bridges.

If I were you, I would just keep going through the motions.

How about you man up and tell them you're not a Christian?

this topic should end with this post.

My parents are christian and i have been raised christian. But for the last year and a half I have not been christian. I don't believe in a God. But the thing is that they don't know. Its hard for me to tell them cause they would blame my friends, music, video games, and possibly what i watch on the TV or Internet. They would take it all away and they would force the bible on me and go all religiously crazy.

I'm 16 as a sophomore, I have two years left before college. It gets really hard having to deal with christian parents when they say crap like "you need to pray" or "read the bible it will guide you". Plus going to church almost every sunday gets annoying having to sit and wait for the pastor to shut up. You guys got any tips what i can do to deal with this? UPDATE: I don't wanna tell them mainly cause I'm afraid. They tend overreact to certain things. And I'm not sure how they would react to this. :(

ToastRider11

Part of being a child is dealing with your parents rules. You live in their household, you deal with it. Get yourself emancipated and move out if it is that big of an issue for you. If you tell them, they will pressure you and impose what you will call unfair rules. Either deal with hiding it, or deal with the consequences of telling them. Honestly, going along with your parents wishes and making them happy isn't that hard, way better than having to support yourself or pissing your parents off. Suck it up, your still a kid, learn a little bit. Now that your brain is more mature, use church as a learning stone, make the best of it. Read the bible like they want, but do it to better your knowledge. Make the best of your situation, quit acting like a victim.

Start reading another religious text and see what their reaction is. I suggest the Qur'an, with a good translation, it is actually a pretty good read.

How about you man up and tell them you're not a Christian?

this topic should end with this post.

FrostMTG

Ugh, I hate when people think their post is good enough to end a thread.

Anyway, telling them is not always the best solution. It could make the environment needlessly hostile.

Start reading another religious text and see what their reaction is. I suggest the Qur'an, with a good translation, it is actually a pretty good read.

foxhound_fox

I agree with this. Although, I would just say you are broadening your horizons to know what is out there.

Don't concern yourself with it. There's so much cool stuff out there you could be thinking about instead.

Reading this thread makes me very happy to have atheist parents.KHAndAnime

Betcha there is the same percentage of Atheist parents to any belief style/system/religion that would be up in arms if their child chose something different.

I could see it now, Atheist parents child tells them he is a Christian. Atheist parents ask child why he still believes in mythology or fantasies. Parents be parents, don't act like Atheists are so much greater, just so happens that you believe you the same thing as your parents, so it works out.

Reading this thread makes me very happy to have atheist parents.KHAndAnime

[QUOTE="KHAndAnime"]Reading this thread makes me very happy to have atheist parents.Zyrokin

Betcha there is the same percentage of Atheist parents to any belief style/system/religion that would be up in arms if their child chose something different.

I could see it now, Atheist parents child tells them he is a Christian. Atheist parents ask child why he still believes in mythology or fantasies. Parents be parents, don't act like Atheists are so much greater, just so happens that you believe you the same thing as your parents, so it works out.

[QUOTE="KHAndAnime"]Reading this thread makes me very happy to have atheist parents.Zyrokin

Betcha there is the same percentage of Atheist parents to any belief style/system/religion that would be up in arms if their child chose something different.

I could see it now, Atheist parents child tells them he is a Christian. Atheist parents ask child why he still believes in mythology or fantasies. Parents be parents, don't act like Atheists are so much greater, just so happens that you believe you the same thing as your parents, so it works out.

Eh, probably not. My parents didn't force it on me, my friends parents didn't force it on them, etc. The 'forcing' is more of a Christian thing. Chrstians think they're doing people a good thing by converting them. Atheism doesn't carry that mindset, and it's not an atheists responsibility to share their religion (or lack of).

[QUOTE="Zyrokin"]

[QUOTE="KHAndAnime"]Reading this thread makes me very happy to have atheist parents.KHAndAnime

Betcha there is the same percentage of Atheist parents to any belief style/system/religion that would be up in arms if their child chose something different.

I could see it now, Atheist parents child tells them he is a Christian. Atheist parents ask child why he still believes in mythology or fantasies. Parents be parents, don't act like Atheists are so much greater, just so happens that you believe you the same thing as your parents, so it works out.

Eh, probably not. My parents didn't force it on me, my friends parents didn't force it on them, etc. The 'forcing' is more of a Christian thing. Chrstians think they're doing people a good thing by converting them. Atheism doesn't carry that mindset, and it's not an atheists responsibility to share their religion (or lack of).

[QUOTE="KHAndAnime"]Reading this thread makes me very happy to have atheist parents.LJS9502_basic

Poor TC, I feel really terrible for you. Your parents only bought you into this world, raised you, fed you and clothed you yet you can't even allow them the pleasure of giving you advice like 'read the Bible' which is obviously something important to them. Seriously, just do what your parents tell you to do, you owe them that much. Once you move out and start paying your own bills, then do as you please.

[QUOTE="KHAndAnime"]

[QUOTE="Zyrokin"]

Betcha there is the same percentage of Atheist parents to any belief style/system/religion that would be up in arms if their child chose something different.

I could see it now, Atheist parents child tells them he is a Christian. Atheist parents ask child why he still believes in mythology or fantasies. Parents be parents, don't act like Atheists are so much greater, just so happens that you believe you the same thing as your parents, so it works out.

LJS9502_basic

Eh, probably not. My parents didn't force it on me, my friends parents didn't force it on them, etc. The 'forcing' is more of a Christian thing. Chrstians think they're doing people a good thing by converting them. Atheism doesn't carry that mindset, and it's not an atheists responsibility to share their religion (or lack of).

Start reading another religious text and see what their reaction is. I suggest the Qur'an, with a good translation, it is actually a pretty good read.

foxhound_fox

This could actually be used as a pretty good baiting tactic to see how they react to something that isn't their religion. You can always tell them you are only reading it for informative purposes only. To get a better understanding of others beliefs so you don't base your opinions of other religions on ignorance. I can't think of much they could say against that without coming across like ignorant xenphobes.

This puts you in a position of leverage. It puts you in the right. Here you are trying to expande your knowledge base, to learn new things, and if they speak out against that it's based directly on their religion. It's a powerful point to work on. The idea that ones religion should not stifle or prevent someone from gaining knowledge and a better understanding of things.

Of course this all requires a lot of tact. Something I'm aware most teenagers don't have. It requires you to remain calm and logical and respectful through the entire situation. Especially if they freak out. You losing your cool just gives them an excuse to continue to overreact.

Also if you do tell them what you think, I would avoid directly saying you don't believe in god. Also avoid the word Athiest. Be vauge, say that all the church going and bible reading just isn't doing anything for you. It's not spiritually fufilling, that you need to figure out what you believe for yourself. In short ask for some breathing room in this regard.

If you don't want to go down that road, I suggest looking at the religion in a different light. Stop thinking of it as a chore or religion at all. For example: For all intents and purposes I live like an athiest. I however am a very spiritual person. I am also facinated with religious history and mythology. I analyze the the stories and research the truth behind them. I read books and watch TV on things like the cursades, the salem witch trials, the seven deadly sins, Noahs arc, ect. I examine the social and psychological impact religion has on people.

EDIT: If your parents are as fanatical as you say. I would highly suggest reading the Bible. Most christians have no read it in full, and even fewer really understand it. Using their own religion to show them they are being very unchristian is also a viable suggestion.

[QUOTE="Zyrokin"]

[QUOTE="KHAndAnime"]Reading this thread makes me very happy to have atheist parents.KHAndAnime

Betcha there is the same percentage of Atheist parents to any belief style/system/religion that would be up in arms if their child chose something different.

I could see it now, Atheist parents child tells them he is a Christian. Atheist parents ask child why he still believes in mythology or fantasies. Parents be parents, don't act like Atheists are so much greater, just so happens that you believe you the same thing as your parents, so it works out.

Eh, probably not. My parents didn't force it on me, my friends parents didn't force it on them, etc. The 'forcing' is more of a Christian thing. Chrstians think they're doing people a good thing by converting them. Atheism doesn't carry that mindset, and it's not an atheists responsibility to share their religion (or lack of).

Here, let me put it this way. The people that opposite sides often notice or see are the loud and obnoxious ones, or the ones that leave a bad impression. Often the extreme Christians in your case, as it appears. All religions do this as well.

Atheism has many different types of personalities all the same, and because of this we run into many that do the same thing as these extreme Christians. For example, every time a Christian says, "You are going to hell for not believing in God," it gives the same impression of the person saying it as an Atheist saying, "You are weak minded and believe in fairy tales." Both of these I hear on about the same regular basis, both irritate me to all end.

Now count yourself lucky that your parents don't force their beliefs on you, as unless the parents are agnostic, in general they like to impose their wills on their children.

▲ Show them your horns. ▲

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="KHAndAnime"]

Eh, probably not. My parents didn't force it on me, my friends parents didn't force it on them, etc. The 'forcing' is more of a Christian thing. Chrstians think they're doing people a good thing by converting them. Atheism doesn't carry that mindset, and it's not an atheists responsibility to share their religion (or lack of).

KHAndAnime

Lower percentage is a improbable guess at best. Just knowing human psychology. Would be interested in those findings though, would be a good research project.

And Atheist Churches are Universities. I kid I kid, was an easy shot to take.

You just need to have a stronger will than they do. What'll they do, throw you out on the street? That's illegal nowadays if the child is under 18, I believe. And since you're going to college when you're 18 anyway, would it really matter? What's the worst they can do to you?

My parents are christian and i have been raised christian. But for the last year and a half I have not been christian. I don't believe in a God. But the thing is that they don't know. Its hard for me to tell them cause they would blame my friends, music, video games, and possibly what i watch on the TV or Internet. They would take it all away and they would force the bible on me and go all religiously crazy.

I'm 16 as a sophomore, I have two years left before college. It gets really hard having to deal with christian parents when they say crap like "you need to pray" or "read the bible it will guide you". Plus going to church almost every sunday gets annoying having to sit and wait for the pastor to shut up. You guys got any tips what i can do to deal with this? UPDATE: I don't wanna tell them mainly cause I'm afraid. They tend overreact to certain things. And I'm not sure how they would react to this. :(

ToastRider11

Ugh, to you guys saying "Just tell them", you're being as useless as you can get... Do you honestly think it never once occured to OP to just do that, but he can't, he's here asking for a different solution...Mr_Alexander

If they'll be overreactive, then I'd just deal w/ it for two years.