I dont believe in god. My parents want to decide for me. PLEASE HELP!!! : (?

Question

I dont really believe in god. I just dont think we can really prove something that happened more then 1000 years ago. Its just like rumors they r past alone and they can be changed. I think he is a rumor. But my church has comfirmation starting for my grade and i told my parents i do not want to go to church for something i do not believe in. i really dont have anything against people that do believe in god, but i dont. and my parents r saying that i have to go to church, and i really dont want to. Is there anything i can say to them to convince that this is my believe and i want a say in what i can do? PLEASE HELPP!!!!!!

Answer 1

You can tell them that forcing you to go will make you hate church more and be more unwilling to listen.  Other than that, I think you're pretty closed-minded.  What, do you think they're going to brainwash you and make you believe?  The most they're going to do is teach you the basic beliefs they have, and in so doing you will understand them more even if you decide not to go through the actual confirmation.  

I'm sorry, but if you were my child then you'd be forced to go, even if you never believed, because I would feel that it would give you a better understanding of what I believe.

Answer 2

I don´t know how old are you, but, they cannot legally FORCE you to do that.

If i was you, i would show them this post..make them realize, what are they doing to you, that you are resorting to ask us, complete strangers.

Answer 3

Your first commitment should be to honor your parents.  But no matter what, they CAN'T decide for you what you believe.  That is yours and only yours to decide.  And God won't force you to spend eternity with Him.  Again, it is your choice where you spend eternity.

D1

Answer 4

You do know that most people get presents after confirmation right? I would totally ride it out until I'd gotten the presents THEN I'd stop going to church.

Answer 5

No one can decide for you. God gave you free will to choose him or not. Your parents can't make you have a relationship in something you do not believe in. The bible says that creation itself is a testimony that there is a creator. I pray that you do believe in God but that will be your choice. I will pray for you. You are a minor in their home so you will have to go to church and do what they tell you but when you are in chruch you will have to decide what you believe. I encourage you to read the gospel of John before you say for sure and ask God to reveal himself to you.  

Answer 6

Either do I , because there are so many bad things in the world -- but you know what if you are under 18 I guess and ur parents want you to go tell them how you feel first if they don't respect you then you cant really respect them too right??

Answer 7

You can't be forced to believe anything, you can only be forced to pretend to believe.

Would this God of theirs be fooled if you pretended to believe?

Answer 8

I really doubt there is, but you might talk to your priest or minister and tell him or her your feelings.  Maybe he or she could talk to your parents about how wrong it is to force you to do a ceremony you don't believe in.  

Answer 9

Tell them about your feelings. If you can't convince them to see your point tell another adult.

They shouldn't be forcing their beliefs on you, parents or no.

However, if you still have to go to the ceremony it shouldn't change your beliefs. No matter if you are sitting in a pew or sitting on the couch you will still believe what rings true to you, and not what others tell you to believe.

Answer 10

i told my teacher the exact same thing. [catholic grade school] i told them i wasn't really sure if i should get it done because i'm agnostic. she tried guilt tripping me into getting it done saying how i'd disappoint my parents.

anyway, i went through with it because it's not really that big a deal to me. but apparently, if you unwillingly go through a sacrament like that, it doesn't count or something.

nothing you can say will make them be alright with it.

you might as well get it done as long as it's free.

:3

Answer 11

It somewhat depends on your age. They can make you go, but they cannot make you believe, if your honest view is that you don't believe. Its wrong of them to drag you to church, but as your parents, they do have legal rights to authority over you, until you become of adult age.

Now, while I agree that god is a fiction, a part of your reasoning is somewhat flawed. With the use of science, it often is possible to find out *some* specific things about events more than 1,000 years ago right here on Earth (We'll leave aside what we have found out about the Universe that goes back farther than ten BILLION years for now). I said some, not all. That the field of history, and as a big student of history, I would suggest that you look into the topic to get a better understanding of what we do know, and how, about a lot of the past.

On the topic of religion, as I said, I am an atheist, so I am of a considered view that god is a made up character who doesn't exist, and who never existed. I also believe that there is a great deal of historical evidence that supports my stated position. You might want to read up about this, as well, though, if your parents are giving you grief about not going to church, they might come down on you if they knew that you were reading up about atheism, as well. So, if you want to find out more, do it carefully, and take care of yourself.

I will list a pair of relatively recent good books on the topic.

Answer 12

Since you are a kid, there is not much you can do. Just go through the motions and when you are 18, never step foot in a church again.

Answer 13

Tell them what you feel and stay true to your beliefs. They should NEVER be forcing you to do anything like that.

Edit: Purdey is correct when he says to talk to the clergy about this issue. I am sure they will not do it if you let them know what your feelings about the situation are.

Answer 14

tell them they need to let you find your own path in life and forcing you will only drive you father away and that you need to decied stuff on ur own

also, congradulations, you are becomeing self aware and showing your intelect

ps, talk in an adult manner but you can use sarcasm

also, tell ur parents that they esentally beleve in a flying man that lives in the clouds that can heart and see everything we do

Answer 15

Hello,

If they are giving you a place to live, paying the bills for your food and upkeep and saving for your post secondary education it is best to humour them along. To them your spiritual education is as important as your regular education and similarily they would force you to stay in school if you thought of quitting. If you can go it alone, work while going to school, pay for food, an apartment and transport then tell them that you have your beliefs and ideas and its time to part company.

Cheers,

Michael Kelly

Answer 16

we have to believe what we believe others cant do that for us tell them if they love you to let you make your own decisions i don't believe in the fairy tale book either and don't push my kids either way

Answer 17

"I'm sorry but I just don't believe as you do. I respect your decision, now please let me decide about my own beliefs."

You parents can't decide what you believe.

Answer 18

Ask them if they really understand what confirmation stands for. If they reply by the affirmative, then tell them that nobody can ever force faith upon someone, one needs to embrace it.

Answer 19

I believe in God, but I don't believe in religion.  Nobody ever got saved by sitting in a church pew.  I find it amusing that so many people have said to go to your minister and tell him / her that you don't want to go to catechism classes because you don't want to go to church.  Only thing that will accomplish is your minister will hit you with a lot of gobbledy-****  bible verses about how you're going to go to h**l if you aren't a true believer.  

If you can't convince your parents, just waste your time by going to classes, and to church if necessary.  Once you're old enough to move out and be independent you don't ever have to go to church if you don't want to.  

By the time I was 10 Christianity made no sense to me, but I played the game to keep peace with my mother until I was 18 and could move out.  

Answer 20

You're obviously not old enough to comprehend religion and spirituality so perhaps you should wait until you're mentally developed enough to understand the complex nature of the subject. Until then-listen to your parents or get a job and move out.  

Answer 21

Stand firm and make a spectacle.  When they ask you if you believe and accept Jesus as your savior, answer truthfully.  A resounding "No" that will be heard throughout the church for years to come.

Or, you can sit down and talk with your parents and explain to them that the whole point of confirmation is just that, to CONFIRM that you are accepting jesus (who is a myth btw), as your savior, and if you do NOT believe that at this point in time, you are lying to the church.  Also tell them (and this is important) that if eventually do you start to believe in jesus, then you will go and have confirmation then.  That's your best bet.