i was wondering, since ive gotten many answers from several friends and i want to know if i can use it as another reason to tell my parents why i dont want to go to church with them anymore...
124761
Dear fellow child of God,\n\nThe Catholic Church believes there is nothing sinful about being homosexual. But homosexuals like all unmarried people are called to celibacy. \n\nThe Church specifically says, "They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided."\n\nWith love in Christ.
257721
Wow...\nwell id really have a talk with my mom about this pretty selfish and such a sin... \noh well I wish you the best\n\nGood Luck
561525
I, even as a christian, do not believe that you NEED to say I am a christian or any other religion to be close to God... actually I hate to admit that I am a christian because belonging to a group like that seems ungodly in and of itself, just because I do not want to put any group above God.  But I do kind of know what you mean because I feel very differently than either of my parents about religion, however, the one thing I have going for myself (and my parents ARE ministers) is that they accept, because that is what God taught.  They like it that I have come to my own understandings, they would never deny me on the free will that God gave.  I do not usually suggest arguing with parents (even though sometimes it is ever so much fun)... but I might suggest that you let your mother know that you are God's creation and not your mothers, although thank her for providing you with life and love along the way. (I know that brings it in to the realm of believing again, but at least you will be challenging her on her terms).  Also, if she brings up the bible in ways that are meant to say you should live like this and this, let her know that that is not your relationship with God, we are all different because God created us that way and you will not slap God in the face by living the way others do because God's plan for you is not the same as your mothers, and for the bible, make sure you let her know that while it is a wonderful teacher, you are not going to put an idol above God, that is idolatry and you have a relationship with God not a book.  Again, I know that is still not getting you out there saying you are a non-believer, but while you consider what it is that you do believe this may help take the heat off of thinking and looking at religion differently than your mother.  God created us each uniquely, your spirituality is not going to be the same as mine, or your mothers.  God gave free will to be used, so yeah for you for using it and thinking instead of following blindly without knowing your relationship with the God you may know.
516499
It tell me that those parents love their children and want to teach them right from wrong so they can make an educated choice when they get older\n\nThe parents that say, " I'm not taking them to church because I don't want to forse any religion on them and they can mkae their own choice when they get older....IMO, these parents are clueless, they turn their children over to world to be trained with NO right or wrong moral code upbringing.  How can they make a choice like this? they don't know both sides.\nThis is a cop-out by the parents \n\nThese children  that do make it are few and far between\n\nthat is so sad\n\nand our culture is reflecting this attitude these days too.....:-(
448667
I would use it to help my husbands family who live on a Hutterite Colony and have been ex-communicated because they have chosen a different path, which is following Jesus and to be saved. \nYou might not understand this, but to make a long story short, on a Hutterite Colony, they believe that because they live there on the Colony they are going to Heaven and are saved from the outside world, even though they drink, party and do things they are not suppose to do, and in church they think that if they go they are saved, wheather they listen to the surmon or not. Well, several members have stopped this and have taken it further and now the Colonys have ex-communicated them and some might have to leave, and being raised like this, they will need all the help they can get to start a new life on the "outside world" My husband left this colony 10 years ago.\nAnyway, this is what I would do with a million dollars if I had it.\n\nTo know more about Hutterites in case you are not sure what they are, there are websites:\n\nhttp://www.hutterites.com \n\nhttp://www.hutteritesofmontana.com\n\nor just type inHutterites on your search bar and several sites will come up.
549798
Depending on your age, she should accept this as a normal part of your development.  There's no easy way to tell her - she's not going to like it and if she's like most people I know in the church she is going to do everything she can think of to talk you out of it, use guilt, cry, call others in the church to do some sort of intervention - I don't think there is much you can do to prevent this.  So just say it.  Tell her you want to search and study and find things out yourself, so that your faith will truly be your own.  God does not respect a faith that is forced or coerced.  Remind her that this is a normal part of growing up, and that it is possible you will find your way back to Christianity, but that the bottom line is, you will still be YOU.\nGood luck and happy hunting.  :)
249888
Just tell them that you know they do not necessarily support what you believe, but you are very happy about what you have been called to do, then tell them what it is you have been called to do, and tell them, I know you may not agree with it, but I would really like your support, your love, or your encouragement. My dad is a non-believer, and I told him this when I told him about a certain decision and he handled it very well and told me that even though he doesn't agree with what I believe, he will support me and love me.
286706
if your parents were there for you as you grew up and they never left your side even through the worst of times. then you should think if it is really worth asking that question. They may not be the best now, but maybe at one point of your life you needed them and they were there for you.
640934
i believe there comes a point where it doesn't make much sense for your parents to continue forcing you to participate in a religious system which you reject. It depends on your age, and whether you are able to make this decision based on more than just a feeling. \n\nAt the same time, your parents faith is part of your family tradition, and taking part in it is taking part in something your family shares. If you are uncomfortable with this, you really need to talk openly and respectfully to your parents, and explain your position. Let them no that you are not rejecting them and why you do not want to participate in the faith any longer. This will be hard for them to hear and they may or may not accept it. \n\nIf you still live under their roof, and they insist, then you are best to respect their wishes until that time when you are able to support yourself and live under the rules and standards of your own roof.
201906
I haven't gone to church for about 8 yrs.\nI stopped going and I am not planning on going back.\nBut, me and that spirit in the sky are on good terms... we have an understanding. \nlol\n:)
168329
This is a great example of Christian love, don't you think ?  You break a rule that was written by a multi billion dollar publishing company and they tell your parents, family and friends to treat you as if you were dead.  \n\nIn their own magazines they tell members to be thankful that they don't live back when..."an Israelite wrongdoer was executed, no more family association was possible. In fact, if a son was a drunkard and a glutton, his parents were to bring him before the judges, and if he was unrepentant, the parents were to share in the just executing of him, 'to clear away what is bad from the midst of Israel.'  Nice of the JW's to stop executing people that they consider to be "wrongdoers". \n\nI am being shunned...and all I did was decide (when I finally turned 18 years old) that I did not agree with JW teachings...and stopped going to JW meetings.  For that my parents are not allowed to speak to me.\n\nWhat a loving organization !
393586
There is the route of reason that anything you said or did before the age of reason doesn't really apply. Still, I understand your situation and that it would make you feel uncomfortable, since there are certainly plenty of examples of God taking a child pledged to him at or before birth for various things.\n\nHmm...if you're not averse to the idea of a ritual to reverse a ritual, drop me a message...I'm getting a few ideas.
127559
Well it is up to you have active you are in the ceremony, but personally I would not participate actively in something that I did not believe in. It all depends what it is they're doing though. For example if they are praying then I would stay silent and wait for them to finish, but if they wished me to be a godparent then I would probably have to decline because that would involve me saying things that I did not believe. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. You should just see the baptism for what it is, a way for the parents to celebrate the birth of their new child and introduce him to the community. That something we can all enjoy :-)
563856
trust me. they are rejecting him for more then that. and IF this was the only reason..if you're underage you have to leave him b/c the bible says "honor your mother and father so your days will be long upon this earth".
129830
Maybe you should pray about it or talk about it with ur pastor.  And God sees that your desire is to serve him.  But....if you don't get to play the drums at your church....at least God saw that you tried.
60273
Hi itstight38@s...,\nI'm sure your grandfathers friend knows how you feel and all is forgiven. My answer to your question is on the day my 12 year old son was killed he asked me if he could stay home from school and I told him no. There are times I wish I could take it back but in my heart I know that when God calls you home there is nothing we can do but except it. I know where my son is and I know he's in a better place than I am and I hope God will let me see my son again when it's my time to go home. Thanks: Blueladybug
582154
well, I was a bible thumping christian for 23 years-old. Then one day I woke up and realized that all Christian's do is judge and say how everyone is going to hell if they don't believe in GOD.  Who gives them the right to say that.  I also realized that you can't force others to believe in what you  believe in.  I was always being asked by fellow church members on why I didn't have a visitor at church or why I wasn't persistent on sharing my faith with others.  I just got tired of it and left.  No one should tell you how your relationship  with god should be like, even if it's not to their standards.   I also realized that the money I thought I was giving to god wasn't going towards his work it was going into the pastors pocket, There were single mothers in our church who could barely feed there families and the pastor has five kids and a two story house and he is able to write off food and bills when it comes to taxes, cause the Church pays for it.  Yeah the CHURCH me and my money pay him so he can live like a king.  so F***religion.  I couldn't be happier with out it.