I'm a teenager who wants to follow a different religion to the one I was brought up with. My dad was furious when I started talking about it and so I have taken to practising it by myself behind his back, which I hate. My mum is accepting of it, but is not supportive. I don't get this as part of pretty much all religions - as far as I know - is freewill. If this is the case, why is it such a bad thing for someone to decide to follow a different path to that of their family? If it helps me find God(s), spirituality and peace, why is it so wrong?
126049
Belief is a very strong thing, I'm not sure that if you really thought about it you would be surprised that your decision upsets your parents. Although the freedom to choose is yours alone, I don't think you will easily get your dad to accept your faith. Just make sure you follow it because you believe it, not to make dad mad.
555542
I totally agree with you. People should be given free choice. Religion should not block a person from getting to know the world, to learn about other religions, other cultures.\n\nProbably I only think like this, because I was raised in the same manner, as you suggest in your question!\nI am Unitarian-Universalist - this religion is one of the protestant branches of Christianity that are based on the freedom of choice of one's beliefs.\nBefore confirmation, we learnt about each world religion in detail - in the Sunday school... but we also had classes in our normal highschool schedule for that. You were expected to know about all options, before you decide to be an Unitarian, or anything else.\n\nThis education helped me a lot in my life, ever since!\nI can find the way to talk to people of all backgrounds and religions, because tolerance was poured into me as early as at the age of 11-13. And I never found contradiction between my beliefs and real world, ever in my life. Hm, I think I made a good choice.\n:-)\n\nAre you a Unitarian, too?\n\nIn my country (and that is not US - the one so famous for its "freedoms"), no... it is a little simple European country... so, over here..... this thing WORKS in all public schools!\n\nBack to some answers up there... I was never confused in this education process. I was 11 at the time, I don't think it makes sense earlier than that, though. But when I met Muslims, Budhists, Taoists, Falun Dafa practitioners, or anything else later on... I always knew where to pick them from... where to start even a religious conversation from! :)\nIt is like having a key to the world in my pocket, and I find it great.\nBy the way, professionally I am not a priest, or anything of the sort... I am a normal everyday person like anybody else. I don't know everything so deeply... and in so much detail as someone with a religious major may know, but those classes were good enough to keep me on track so that I don't lose my way in diversity......
170721
A bit mysterious, but yes. You must decide. In innocence, a child chooses to follow in the footsteps of the parents. When they become an adult, they must choose for themselves what is true and what is not. Children must be educated in the difference between right and wrong, good and evil. Only then can they make a decision. The Bible promises us that "Seek and yea shall find". If you seek the discord among religions, you will find it. If you seek the Evil in men you shall find it. If you seek the good in man, you will find it. For myself, I seek God and I find him everywhere, in many different forms and with many different names, but HE is there.
219054
Spiritually, never put all your faith in another person, may it be your parents or friends. Instead focus on God, He will never fail you. If you believe in another world better than this one you are in, and that you will go there someday, you will learn to let go of your dark past and move on doing beautiful things in life.\n\nPractically, you need to confide in your mum and ask her to talk to your dad. He may need professional counselling. This is a adult-to-adult problem, it is way beyond your comprehension and control. Meanwhile, be patient and concentrate on your studies instead.
199861
If the religion you are in is not based on promises that you can give to people who ASK for help, then it is useless. If you are a Christian and you have to judge someone who isn't, you are a Spaz and need to get a life. If you are condemning behaviour and the person didn't exactly ask you for you opinion you are disrespectful. As far as converting, that should be somebody's choice if they want to change to a religion.  I say all this because the above behaviour is not what God's wants Christians to do, I know this because I am one.
173800
That's a very interesting question. I never thought of it that way before. The three patterns that play out with that theory do seem to fit into religions. Makes sense that it would be prevalent in their daily lives also, it's so ingrained to believe they are helpless unless they count on an outside source. Kinda twisted in away...that outside source is what will punish then for not being good enough. I'll say it again.....No child should be afraid of his/her parent.
422301
Every religion (not everyone INVOLVED in the religion) teaches that all other beliefs other than their own are wrong.  Do all people take this to heart?  No.  I have met a lot of Christians and others who at least respect the fact that I am an Atheist.  Would they really rather me be their religion, of course.  They just know it's not going to happen any time soon.\n\nAlso, a lot of these people fear difference, and were taught to tell everyone and spread the word of their god.  However, they were never told how, so they feel they need to shove it down our throats or try to scare us by condemning us to their hell thinking it will change our minds.\n\nKeep strong, and ignore all the negative people.  Surround yourself with good people of all religions that respect you for who you are.  Remember though, don't throw all religious people in one pile.  Some are better than others!  Stay strong!  Don't let them get to you!\n\nJust laugh it off.\n\nGood luck!
255140
Ask yourself this. Do you want religion in your life, or do you want spirituality? They are actually 2 different things. I think that relgion sprang from spirituality, but somewhere it got bogged down in power struggles, rules and dogma. There are very few people out there who actually believe in the spirit behind the religion, and just give their belief to the structure...i.e. the church/religion. \n\nI had the same problem a few years back. I felt guilty for not clinging to my christian roots, but had a hard time staying true to myself and hearing that I was going to hell by the same God that was supposed to be all loving. I took a long hard look and decided it was time to find something that would speak to the sanctity and spirituality of humankind...and ended up with Wicca. It's not the choice for everyone, and it's actually my own little form of Wicca. I have taken things from different spiritual paths and melded my own. And that is what works for me. \n\nLook to your heart to tell you what is right. Worship if you will, but do it out of spirit rather than fear and browbeating.  It is going to be a long journey, but you will figure out what you need in the end. It will take strength, but it looks as if you have started. Good luck to you!
93253
First of all, it's nice to hear from Christians that you should respect another's faith.  Secondly, to hear from some of you that your way was is the TRUTH, is nothing new to me.  I understand it is how your faith operates.  Also, I just wanted to point out being brainwashed must involve a collective group of people who believe exactly the same thing.  This is not what you will find in the Wiccan faith.  As 100 Wiccans who or what is "GOD" and you will get 100 different answers.\n\nNow for the real question at hand.  I am distressed to hear that one from our faith of respect and tolerance is trying to "convert" you.  Obviously this person has not done much reading on the actual basic principals of Wicca.  One of these being that we do not convert, we only educate when asked.  This faith is one, which should be sought out and found.  To offer it up freely would be an insult to those who really wish to spend time deciding for themselves where their spiritual path takes them.\n\nAs for how to deal with this, I feel you should be blunt.  Tell her that you are not interested in participating in any rituals with her.  If this is all she has to offer in your time together then apparently you two don't have much in common.  You don't have to be rude, but don't beat around the bush either.  Make it clear what your intentions are as friends.  If one day you decide to walk in this path then you already have a point of contact.\n\nI would like to also say, that I am sorry some of the people who have posted answer have not been very supportive.  No matter what you decide to believe, always know that not one person has the right to make or persuade you to believe otherwise.
112915
I was baptized Catholic as a baby and raised that way throughout my early childhood. After a while my family stopped going to church, and I went on a period of self-exploration. I studied different religious ideas, beliefs, doctrines, etc. and pieced together what made logical, rational, reasonable sense in my opinion. From that I formed my own personal path. I followed it, and preferred not being a part of organized religion because creating my own path meant that my faith could grow and change as I grew and changed (and learned more) instead of remaining fixed and never evolving into something better.\n\nThen a friend of mine introduced me to Wicca. It takes a lot of work and study (I am still), but it allows solitary paths. Its lack of dogma also allows for your faith to grow and change. The more I learned about it, the more it coincided with the beliefs I'd already put together through my soul-searching. Since then I have considered myself a solitary Wiccan.\n\nI think this is the proper way to go about finding religion. Everyone's always saying things like, "I've found religion," or (specifically), "I've found Jesus," but more often than not, IT finds THEM. They believe it because they were raised to believe it, and/or people told them to. They didn't find it for themselves, or even bothered to figure it out. I formed a religion to fit me, rather than conforming myself to fit a religion.
552255
I think it is up to the couple. I don't see where anything is wrong about it, and it is great for them to let their children decide what path they wanted. Both religions are strict in their beliefs but their love for each other is more important, and obviously they respect each other which is great.
122003
There is always going to be a difference of opinion and different ways to handle any situation. It all comes with the territory whether you're religious or not. Therefore it would not have any bearing on my decision as long as they don't preach and push me into their beliefs. The only aspect that matters to me, would be my future children. They will be raised of neither faith, but left to choose their own. Only educated as much as possible.
236431
What you seem to have missed is the greater point - you're not your own to begin with - He created you, all he asks now is that you recognize that by accepting him and worshipping him - it is not his desire that any should perish - but being good is not what he designed us to do - he designed us to worship - good deeds are results of our worship - not our means of worship.  You are in the midst of spiritual battle and I'm praying that God will give you spiritual rest and a mentor to lead you personally as opposed to this forum. As a parent I raised my son with certain values.  I have entrusted them to him.  It is now up to him to choose to use them.  If he doesn't then there are consequences he will suffer.  Does that take away his ability to choose for himself?  No.  It just means he didn't heed a more learned and wiser, experienced person.  It is a poor analogy, but it was the best I could come up with.
147498
You just cant ask every one to follow one religion.  Espeicially when most of them feel theirs is right.  They are devout in their faith and they will not budge.  Would you want to change if some one told you to?  If you were a very religious person that is.  \nReligion is part of who we are as a person and a society.  You just cant go and change that.  If you tried that alone could start wars.
73054
You are not wrong. But understand that Christianity is a religion based on fear.  Follow me or burn in hell for all eternity!  Believe or be damned!  It is been my experience that many Christian believers will not even listen to another religion's argument or concepts with anything other that complete disregard.  Brainwashing at birth.  Ask the majority of people why they follow there particular religion, the answer will most likely be that it is the only thing that they have ever known.  I only speak English because it is the only language my parents and peers ever spoke to me.  Most major religions believe in the same basic principles.  Be good and the end result will be good or better for you.  Don't let someone bully you into thinking their way.  Explore all religions and find the one that speaks to you.  There are millions of good people out there who do not believe in Jesus Christ - I find it hard to believe that they will feel the wrath of God because they have not accepted Jesus into their hearts.
614908
No.  You're not wrong to follow your heart.  I'm not saying this as a disrespect to Christians, but Christians tend to have a "holier-than-thou" attitude and can make some people feel like crap if allowed to mess with people's heads.  I can definitely related to you not wanting to send your daughter, because that's exactly what's going to happen; they're going to fill her head with things you don't want.  She is YOUR daughter.  Raise her as you see best.  Satan is NOT in your head.  They will say that to confuse you and make you what THEY want.  If it isn't what YOU want, then, when they come around, listen politely to what they have to say, but allow it all to escape through "the other ear."  Know what I mean?  Christians always believe that anyone who doesn't follow their path is bad or driven by Satan.  It's all a load of bullocks, luv.  Continue being yourself.  There's absolutely nothing wrong with you.  Don't let them drive you mad.\n\n\nBlessed Be!\nCoven of Witches\nhttp://www.thecovenofwitches.com
558125
well it wouldn't be so bad if you wanted to join another culture. if it's what you want then go for it, but if the people say no to what you want to go into, the just ask questions, stating things like why and things. also tell them your parents don't have a certain culture and you want to be a part of something. so just have an awesome time being who you want to be in your culture and in the world.