My parents are making me read christian books as an alternative to going to church. - General

My dad allowed me to stay home from church, but because my mom is utterly religious and is desperate for me to be a christian again, she wants me to read christian novels (e.g. Heaven is For Real) instead. Because my dad doesn't want to argue with her, since it usually gets us nowhere due to the fact that my mom just won't give a shit, he agrees that I should read these books. That, and probably because he doesn't want me to end up going to hell for being an atheist or something. Should I just go back to church, or continue reading these novels at home? I don't think I can do neither, considering the fact that my parents are both christians and are worried about me. [highlight](User was banned for this post ("Didn't read the sticky" - Craptasket))[/highlight]

I've got a few questions. How old are you, and why are they worried?

Say that you've begun worshiping the devil, and it's all their fault for showing you the truth about god.

You shouldn't have to do either, religion IS a choice, and not something you can force upon another person. But, if I needed to choose between the two, I'd stick with church.

Your problem isn't should you go to church or read books, it's with your parents not accepting your beliefs. Refuse to do either, explain why you don't have faith in your life, seek help if they become abusive about it

I hate parents like that, so desperate that their son may go to hell :'( we need to focus him on the truths of life instead of letting him himself find his own truth with whom he wants to life and go by.

I'd rather go to a short church session once a week than read the books.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8sXm2vDoFY[/media]

Do the standard logic run-through: If God's capable of doing everything, why does everything still suck? If he wants to help but can't, then he isn't omnipotent, if he can but isn't willing, then he isn't benevolent, if he isn't either then he isn't worth worshiping. Tell 'em that, and laugh all the way to church.

[QUOTE=Banje;32234984]I've got a few questions. How old are you, and why are they worried?[/QUOTE] 15 The reason they're worried about me is probably because they don't want me to suffer in hell. I'm not exactly sure, though

[QUOTE=Skerion;32235096]15 The reason they're worried about me is probably because they don't want me to suffer in hell. I'm not exactly sure, though[/QUOTE] I would have said move out, but that isn't an option. Just say that your opinion of religion varies from theirs.

Respectfully sit down and talk to them. If it gets worse, talk to another adult.

Convert to Buddhism

Also, has anyone heard of this book called [i]Heaven is For Real[/i]? My parents told me it was basically about a small boy who was very ill and ended up in a hospital and given a surgery. He claims that he died and went to heaven for a while, then came back to Earth and told his dad how it was like. This was pretty much the first book I had to read after I decided not to go to church, and I pretty much just skimmed through it. The second book I'm supposed to read is [i]This Perfect Darkness[/i], which is supposed to be a christian/fictional book.

If you can't stop them from accepting the fact that you don't want to be religious no matter how hard you try why not just go to church? It's far better than reading all those dumb religious books, if the churches in the US have a system similar to ours.

[QUOTE=Cone;32235089]Do the standard logic run-through: If God's capable of doing everything, why does everything still suck? If he wants to help but can't, then he isn't omnipotent, if he can but isn't willing, then he isn't benevolent, if he isn't either then he isn't worth worshiping. Tell 'em that, and laugh all the way to church.[/QUOTE] What a thoughtful and original argument, it's not like it was first presented hundreds of years before Christianity ever existed, and there's no possible way anyone could have an explanation or counter-argument!

[QUOTE=Skerion;32235172]Also, has anyone heard of this book called [i]Heaven is For Real[/i]? My parents told me it was basically about a small boy who was very ill and ended up in a hospital and given a surgery. He claims that he died and went to heaven for a while, then came back to Earth and told his dad how it was like. This was pretty much the first book I had to read after I decided not to go to church, and I pretty much just skimmed through it. The second book I'm supposed to read is [i]This Perfect Darkness[/i], which is supposed to be a christian/fictional book.[/QUOTE] Yeah I'm aware of that case. The kid was technically dead and had visions of heaven. Interestingly enough all the heavenly imagery he described is the same as western-cultures idea of what heaven and jesus look like (White clouds, pearly gates, White jesus with long brown hair who was really nice). No 'Holy shit we were wrong about that' information. His parents were also highly religious and may have influenced his story considering they have a financial conflict of interest (Do you think the kid wrote the book by himself). Like the Youtube video posted above, you may be able to find resources on the internet that you can maybe read and show your parents 'This is how I feel on the issue and why I don't want you to force me to do this' etc

Just go to Church with them if it's a big deal, holy fuck. It's not even that bad. Or you can try talking to you mom.

[QUOTE=redBadger;32235284]Just go to Church with them if it's a big deal, holy fuck. It's not even that bad. Or you can try talking to you mom.[/QUOTE] Why should he have to be indoctrinated into a faith he doesn't believe in? How uncomfortable would you feel having to attend an Islamic ceremony every week. Just because Christianity is the norm for most of America, it doesn't mean everyone feels comfortable with the bullshit it spouts. Also, he's a 15 year old kid with what sounds like an unreasonable Christian mother. That is a very hard spot to be put it so don't act like he can just talk it out

If you do either the crazy person wins.

Yeah, I think I'll just go back to church, instead.

I'll sacrifice a goat for you man, hope it helps.

[QUOTE=Skerion;32235340]Yeah, I think I'll just go back to church, instead.[/QUOTE] Or actually stand up for yourself.

Or you could just do the really obvious choice of saying you're going to read them and then not doing it which'd buy you like a few days probably before it eventually backfires.

[QUOTE=GreenDolphin;32235393]Or actually stand up for yourself.[/QUOTE] Sadly, I don't think my mom's going to change her mind anyway, especially since she made my brother break Animal Crossing: Wild World with a hammer just because there was fortune tell in it, which basically shows how religious she is. And my dad wants me to have as much freedom as possible, but he doesn't want to have a 30 minute long argument with mom, so he just decides that I should just either read the books or go to church.

-snip

Just stand up for yourself and say no. Have a spine faggot. Just say no when they tell you to read those books or go to church. Simple as that, as it seems your dad is pretty chill so it isnt like he will beat you or have you go to bible camp or some shit, so just say no and have a spine.

[QUOTE=Skerion;32235451]Sadly, I don't think my mom's going to change her mind, especially since she made my brother break Animal Crossing: Wild World with a hammer just because there was fortune tell in it, which happened a few years back.[/QUOTE] This is awful and abusive. If your Dad is reasonable it may help to have a serious 1-on-1 discussion with him about how this is not ok. If he can't help you then I dunno what to tell you, you either suffer the cycle of abuse or contact a child protection service.

[QUOTE=Skerion;32235451]Sadly, I don't think my mom's going to change her mind anyway, especially since [B]she made my brother break Animal Crossing: Wild World with a hammer just because there was fortune tell in it, which basically shows how religious she is.[/B] And my dad wants me to have as much freedom as possible, but he doesn't want to have a 30 minute long argument with mom, so he just decides that I should just either read the books or go to church.[/QUOTE] what the shit your mom's one of those crazy christian bitches.

This isn't right. Stand up or you are not respected here. Don't let her push you around like an item. She may be your mother. It still doesn't mean she can break your human rights.