How can I explain to my parents I am not a follower of god?

Well, I am fourteen and I am trying to figure out how to explain to my parents I am not a follower of god and I also don’t want to be forced going to CCE (Catholic School for every Wednesday) I have been forced going since I was eight years old. Since I remember I never had a Christian faith. I do believe there is a god out there but I don’t want to follow it. Please help, I need a good way to explain to my parents without getting them anger at me. Please do not come preaching to me that I should go the Christian path, I been told many times, I also been forced to go to this thing where they lie me down and prayed to me and poured holy water on me.

Answer #1

like if their was a religion and an almighty powerful god, then why would a baby be pubished you no.

I completely respect your right to not believe in God, so please dont think I’m disrespecting that by posting this. We dont always have the answers to things, but that does not make God unloving, and really the only thing that can heal a broken heart in the aftermath of a loss is time and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. It isnt good to try to figure God out, He understanding is beyond anything we could imagine. If it wasnt so, He wouldnt be God. He never promised a trouble- free life, but if you let Him, He gives you the strength to live life again and let the past come to pass. Again, I’m not posting this to be disprespectful, but I wanted you to understand this. If you dont or dont want to, thats ok too, but I hope I helped a little. :)

Answer #2

well you should just sit them down and talk to them about it. you need to tell them that you dont want to go. it about chice there is no point of you going if your heart is not there. you dont get points for attendence,lol. but really if you dont want to follow then thats your choice no one should force you. oh course they will be upset b/c its important to them but they have to respect your choice. and what rocstar wannabe said is true you should study many religions, I do (im a christian) it will help you understand your own faith or in your case better understand your parents and the world in general. you have many chances to study other religions in college and I suggest that you do take some classes in anothro. like anothro of witch craft magic and religion which was one of my favorite classes.

Answer #3

Be honest with them, and speak from the heart. They may be disappointed at first because they only want the best for you, but if you’ve decided that this is not the way you want to live your life then thats the just the way it is.

Answer #4

dont let those christians trick u. its very important that you learn about religions even if you don’t believe it. im atheist but still I study religions so when those hot-shots try to prove me wrong. I actually can tell em what nonsense religion is.

Answer #5

I would paint myself red and grow horns and jump out from inside the closet with a shotgun. or just kill the messiah. (I am a satanist myself)

Answer #6

@theintimidator There is a little button at the bottom of your posts that say Edit | Delete You can click on that to change what you said instead of making an entirely new post. You can only edit it before 2 hours is up though.

Answer #7

you know I have like the same problem, like I dont believe in religion, but I do believe in a higher power I guess. like something needs to be controlling something, something needed to create everything you know. but like I don’t know I can’t believe in religion when so many shitty things happen anymore. I lost my “faith” thing after my aunt and uncle had a miscarriage and that hurt. like if their was a religion and an almighty powerful god, then why would a baby be punished you no. but I would just come out and tell your parents flatout that you dont want to go to that CCE thing or whatever and tell them that you don’t want to. and they really cant force you just dont go at all if they dont listen.

Answer #8

Since they are making you go regularly, it’s safe I think to assume that its’ important to them. That being the case, there’s no way to tell them that won’t upset them. So just be straightforward. But don’t do it on the day you go. Talk to them maybe on Saturday morning, when it’ll be clear to them that you’ve thought about it and want to talk and aren’t just reacting to get out of going.

Just be honest and tell them you don’t believe. If they are unreasonable, then you can consider taking it to the next level, by confronting the religious educator during class, arguing against what they’re teaching.

They’ll probably kick you out (and embarrass your parents with a little chat) rather than tolerate other ideas…and if they do tolerate your ideas, then that’s a win too, because you’ll be empowered and it’ll be fun to go.

Answer #9

You tell them even though you guys may believe something but I believe other wise. Its not because your young and you dont know better, but just beause you are different from them.

Answer #10

How do you think they will react? Will they go as far as to kick you out? If so, you may not want to tell them until you are old enough to make it on your own. Telling them may not be worth the risk. You have faked it for this long, and faking it for a few more years is worth having a roof over your head.

Answer #11

be very true to your mind! thats what should lead u. only that. dont ffollo your desiresbecause that only leads you to do wrong to urself. sex feels good drugs feels good stealing may even bring you goods but it all is WRONG. worshipping god is quite the opposite but deep inside you will feel really good. you say you believe there is god but not the christian way. well you also post that you need a job. I want you to try to worship that god that you believe in and ask and you shall receive. I want you to time urself to 15 min of sincere prayer to the god that created your surroundings and see how things turn out

Answer #12

trust me, I hate when people preach to me about religion. its the most biased and uncomfortable situation lol. I’ve been in this situation before, with close friends of the family. They used to take me to their church and like a teen group thing, and after a while I felt nothing. I knew it was for me, and honestly, the only thing you can do is just say that outright. Religion is a hard subject to swallow, and sometimes its just not the right time, place, or event to be taking part of. Tell them as calmly and straight faced as you can that you dont want to partake in it right now, you just want some time to explore yourself. And then see where things go from there.

Answer #13

When they say go you say no, and explain that you’re not a follower and you don’t appreciate going. They won’t take you breaking this to them in stride, and maybe they’ll even ground you but you have to stand your ground. Watch your tone of voice though it makes a difference.

They’ll probably try and explain the special connection that they feel with God, and then you simply say that you don’t feel or beleive you even have it.

Answer #14

GO right up to them and say Oh Mi God! hehe you insult god that way :P

Answer #15

when I say I knew it was for me, I meant wasnt* lol

Answer #16

Thanks for the advice.

Answer #17

hardcoredemonchick, the thing about God is in the bible, it states that it’s each person’s personal decision wether to follow christ. For those who have ears let them hear for example. I think it was wrong for your parents to force you to go to that school or to keep your religion. (As a christian, I always hear people saying we are just a bunch of dumb micks) I think its wrong that any Christian would force their feet down anothers throat. I’m a teenager myself. It is hard to say you are different than what your parents want. I think you should talk with them. If they keep insisting, just keep talking. Not against them but to make them see your point of view. If they are good christians they would do ther best to listen. If they don’t, wait a little. If they ignore you, maybe talk to other christians you know, like your pastor. I know it might sound crazy but with these sort of things, you have to talk it out with someone of the opposite belief or idea. That way you get a better understanding of yourself.

The last thing I will say is remember that God also loves all of his children. He is with each and everyone of us all the time for every moment and want’s us only closer to him. It’s your free will to lead a different life, but just when times are grim or bad remeber this, Do on to others as you would yourself, love your enemies and do your best to find peace in your life, even if it means coming back to God, for he loves you and sent his son first to pay so that your sins would be forgiven. Good luck friend and god bless you!!!

Answer #18

I’m not going to preach on you, I have more self respect then that. From where it says your being “forced” it sounds that your parents are trying to beat belief into you (which has obviously failed) or you are exaggerating. If your parents are the forceful type then your pretty much going to have to keep going. That or move out if your old enough. As for telling them just sit them down and say, “Mom, I don’t believe in God, I am not a christian. I hope you understand that I have different beliefs than you do and I hope you can grow to respect that. I know that you are deeply rooted in your religion and you would like me to be too but beating it into isn’t going to work. So I would like to stop going to church because it isn’t in my beliefs.” If she keeps forcing you to go then your going to have to deal with it. That or try to remind her who gets to decide which nursing home she gets to go to when she gets older. But other then that your pretty well up a creek without a paddle.

Answer #19

Well if their forcing you to go to a certain school and do certain rituals they probably don’t see you as a person but as a child, a child they have to control. They’re also religious and love you too much to have you not be saved by god and Jesus. So when you tell them, nothing will change, they’ll just work harder to screw you over, so to speak.
What I would do in your situation would be to tell them I don’t believe in this stuff but whatever, over and over. Every single time they want you to do some religious thing they, “Well I don’t believe in it but I’m doing it because you tell me to.” Your still doing what they’re telling you to but your being vocally disobedient at every turn consistently. So after maybe…2-3 years they’ll finally get it that you don’t freaking believe in god. So constantly acknowledge that your doing it ONLY because they’re telling you to and that you don’t believe any of it. Your not being disrespectful, your just being honest. Honesty will slowly weaken their hold and they’ll finally let go at some point.

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