Christian: Yet I don't want to attend church but mom wants to make me?

[Lovelife090994]

Hi, this is crazy literally.

I'm supposed to Christian yet lately from all the years of me sitting in church when I never wanted to and then having a mother who has been forcing me to go to church as long as I in her home, now I hardly ever almost never want to go to church.

I know, I know, this is nuts and crazy! My mom never quits saying how I'm hellbound if I don't stop and go to church every Sunday and how I can't be Christian and feel so messed up and a loner. I almost don't care. I'm tired of being forced, my religion goes against my wants and my wants go against me and God. No, don't tell me there is no God I know there is one but all I want to know is, "Is this right? Am I wrong? Am I crazy?"

All I said this time was, "I'd rather not go to church today. You always drag me."

My mother threatens to cut me off if I am anything less than a ture Christian. I just feel backed into a corner. I have no one else to rely on!.

I feel so messed up. I'm 18 but not yet free. I feel so pathetic.

I just realized this is in the wrong section, ROTW, I forgot, this is moreso emotional. I should have had this in I guess the white padded room.
If a mod knew where this would fit I'd appreciate it greatly!

[Jess]

You shouldn't be forced to go to church. I'm also pretty sure you don't have to go to church to be a proper Christian. I think lots of Christians don't really go to church.

I'm really sorry your mom is treating you this way. Maybe you should tell her that plenty of other Christians don't go to church either? Or I guess that won't work...:/

[removeddddd]

"Is this right? No, you're 18 your mother cant force you to do anything

Am I wrong? No

Am I crazy?"No

[Lovelife090994]

You shouldn't be forced to go to church. I'm also pretty sure you don't have to go to church to be a proper Christian. I think lots of Christians don't really go to church.

I'm really sorry your mom is treating you this way. Maybe you should tell her that plenty of other Christians don't go to church either? Or I guess that won't work...:/

I did. And believe it or not. Even though my Dad is pretty much atheist he feels the same and we're not that close but he feels the same.

No, you're 18 your mother cant force you to do anything

No

No

Thanks for that. Hmm, I wish my mom understood. I mean, who is my mother to question my faith when she knows I'll never question hers? It seems so crazy. I grew up in a strict household and so many things I've seen and done and felt curious about are seen as wrong so I never told anyone. I know I'm 18 but I can't leave just yet. I have no job or money and no car of my own, I feel so stuck.


-merged double post. -Emerald Dream

[Cygnus]

When I told my mom I was atheist she was still going to force me to go to church with her, however every time she told me to go with her I just started a religious rant and she would leave me alone. Seriously, religious freedom exists, she shouldn't force you to do that.

[Lovelife090994]

When I told my mom I was atheist she was still going to force me to go to church with her, however every time she told me to go with her I just started a religious rant and she would leave me alone. Seriously, religious freedom exists, she shouldn't force you to do that.

I guess this stems to my mom's upbringing. Her parents were stricter by tenfold and they forced her and her siblings to church. Seen the movie Sparkle? Same criteria with their mother that was in the movie that my mother had and that my mother tells me.

"If you are to be in my house you must do these: do something productive, no funny business or anything wrong, be a good Christian and go to church. If one of those are too much, leave." That's the kind of mother I have. Now no she is not really as bad as that sounds but that is basically her thoughts on it.

[Hyper]

Sounds like your mother is a ''fundamentalist''.

You can be Christian without going to Church. In fact many people are and most of them, the ones I know at least, are so because they think organized religion is mostly BS and doesn't suit their needs.

Now some instances of Christianity do consider such thinking blasphemous... While others are more ''forgiving'' to such heathens.

Your choices depend on your situation and your willingness to accept the possible consequences (like the way life works in general) so if you truly think you can deal with the consequences of not going anymore don't go.

If you think you can't deal with being cut off and excommunicated from your parental home then well you've got no choice but to suck it up and go.

I seriously doubt there is any chance what so ever for you to rationalise with your mother, but I am just assuming that based on what you wrote.

[Stronk Serb]

Tell her you are a Bogomilist Christian. That was one of the most free Christian churches I could think of, hell their doctrine says that there should be no churches, that communion should be done outside.

[LouBerry]

So many things.

First, it's easier to just do what you mother wants, it'll be over before you know it.

Second, it happens to all of us. I don't know a teenager alive that enjoys sitting through church every week, I sure don't. But, if you quit going, it's really hard to get back into the swing of things.

Third, going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. You're relationship with God may be strengthened by being at church, and with other Christians, but if you are strong in what you believe, there is no harm in not attending church.

[teen.jpg]

Surprisingly, I'm saying yes to this. Why? Church and religion aren't synonymous. You can go to church but still not be religious. A church is just a building.

On the other hand, being forced into a religion is wrong, but that's a different topic.

[Body odah Man]

That's pretty sad. You have my sympathy. I don't think you should be forced to go to church by your parents. It only counts if you go out of your own volition not if someone forces you to do it. Your mom should leave you alone and let you decide for yourself whether or not you're a true Christian and want to go to church or not.

[CharlieHorse]

It's sad to see religion drive people to be at conflict with their own family members.
I'm an atheist, and I'm sorry you're having these troubles.
But honestly, I think your mom is being selfish. Do what you want in life.

You also don't have to be a Christian if you don't want to. There's nothing wrong with that.

[teen.jpg]

It's sad to see religion drive people to be at conflict with their own family members.
I'm an atheist, and I'm sorry you're having these troubles.
But honestly, I think your mom is being selfish. Do what you want in life.

You also don't have to be a Christian if you don't want to. There's nothing wrong with that.

As long as he lives in her house, he kind of does. It's wrong, I know, but it's the easiest way to go about it.

Living with a religious mom, I know that it's for your best interest you just go along with it. Lose the battle, win the war.

[Southside]

Im Christian but to be completely honest, I don't like going to church much(Only on communion days). Not trying to diss your mom or anything but going to church doesnt automatically make you a bad Christian or "hell bound". You can pray, read the Bible, worship right in the comfort of your own home.

Try to have a sit down conversation with your mother(on a good day) and tell her your feelings..

[Lovelife090994]

Thanks for the replies all of you. I will try talking to my mother again on this, but not until I gather my thoughts and find the right words to say.

[TheBigUnit]

Thanks for the replies all of you. I will try talking to my mother again on this, but not until I gather my thoughts and find the right words to say.

You know its all personal choice,
im sure you had to be forced sometimes to go to school when you were younger, really though its all free will, if you feel guilty in not going yet a part of you still wants to go maybe try going to a non denomination church its called calvary in my area they sing songs and give a sermon then it ends less than an hour and everyone there is really open and full of joy,

in this forum most kids are profound atheists especially in ROTW so youll most likely get responses of people telling you not to go....likewise if you posted this in a Christian forum most people will tell you that you must go to church, all I have to say is that your 18 do what you like the choice is yours

[Lovelife090994]

You know its all personal choice,
im sure you had to be forced sometimes to go to school when you were younger, really though its all free will, if you feel guilty in not going yet a part of you still wants to go maybe try going to a non denomination church its called calvary in my area they sing songs and give a sermon then it ends less than an hour and everyone there is really open and full of joy,

in this forum most kids are profound atheists especially in ROTW so youll most likely get responses of people telling you not to go....likewise if you posted this in a Christian forum most people will tell you that you must go to church, all I have to say is that your 18 do what you like the choice is yours

Thanks. When you put it that way it almost is hard to know where to post. Christian blogs are not for everything and Christians will say go and Atheists will say not to go so it kind of win-lose thing. But Thanks, I know it is my choice. I do not wish to be atheist and never do anything with Christ. Sorry to anyone but I am not dropping my faith altogether.

[TheBigUnit]

Thanks. When you put it that way it almost is hard to know where to post. Christian blogs are not for everything and Christians will say go and Atheists will say not to go so it kind of win-lose thing. But Thanks, I know it is my choice. I do not wish to be atheist and never do anything with Christ. Sorry to anyone but I am not dropping my faith altogether.

You could maybe get one on one counseling with your priest or something especially if hes a "cool" guy

[Lovelife090994]

You could maybe get one on one counseling with your priest or something especially if hes a "cool" guy

Oh um yeah about that... I'm not Catholic. But don't worry, my church situation and other situations are not as bad as some others. But thanks again.

[Camazotz]

I'm extremely conflicted: according to the "Circumcision" thread, most people are in favor of allowing parents making these kinds of decisions for their children, which makes sense in this scenario (especially considering this is a lot less serious). However, as an agnostic-atheist teenager, I was fortunate that my parents supported me and didn't force me to go to church (although this scenario is different from OP- my parents made me go to church when I was Christian almost every Sunday).

I voted "neutral." Personally, I agree with OP that spirituality and religion are separate entities, and you should be able to express yourself and your beliefs in a way that you see fit. But I can understand her mother's point of view of wanting to keep her as "good" as she can. I guess I would say that I'm in favor of OP's side but I understand her mom.

[whatsgoinon53]

Hi, this is crazy literally.

I'm supposed to Christian yet lately from all the years of me sitting in church when I never wanted to and then having a mother who has been forcing me to go to church as long as I in her home, now I hardly ever almost never want to go to church.

I know, I know, this is nuts and crazy! My mom never quits saying how I'm hellbound if I don't stop and go to church every Sunday and how I can't be Christian and feel so messed up and a loner. I almost don't care. I'm tired of being forced, my religion goes against my wants and my wants go against me and God. No, don't tell me there is no God I know there is one but all I want to know is, "Is this right? Am I wrong? Am I crazy?"

All I said this time was, "I'd rather not go to church today. You always drag me."

My mother threatens to cut me off if I am anything less than a ture Christian. I just feel backed into a corner. I have no one else to rely on!.

I feel so messed up. I'm 18 but not yet free. I feel so pathetic.

I just realized this is in the wrong section, ROTW, I forgot, this is moreso emotional. I should have had this in I guess the white padded room.
If a mod knew where this would fit I'd appreciate it greatly!

Personally I am a christian. Although if I were to choose differently my parents wouldn't keep persisiting and persisting to 'drag' me to church. I voted neutral on the poll because I think that parents should accept what their children believe in. For your mother to judge you by saying that you're hellbound is not the right thing. The bible says that God gives judgement so she is not being a very good christian by saying that. I would encourage you to attend church but if I was your parent I wouldn't force you into it. Everyone has a right to their own beliefs.