No respect for my religion

well!!! everyone would stand for it’s religion but why won’t you go to church???

have you seen the arguments on this site? I dont think respect from religious zelots is going to happen any time soon… I would just ignore them and let them be, unless they’re not forcing their beliefs down your throat then I wouldnt mention your own… As for your parents, going to church doesnt mean anything if you dont believe, most “religious” people who go there arent going to pray anyways, so you’re going to a big building where someone’s talking at you for an hour about their beliefs, think about it as going to a religion class, you can listen to other’s beliefs without them affecting your own (something most religious people dont seem to understand). So you go to make your parents happy, doesnt change you or your beliefs… when you get older, you dont have to go anymore…

When Christians say “God bless you” they say it out of genuine care and love. It would be like an atheist saying “take care”. There is no need to be defensive.

Yeah, how dare they be the type of person that actually and genuinely CARES enough about you that they are concerned/care where you spend eternity !! - no doubt, we’ll never have to face death so it doesn’t matter - must be pure evil, huh.

Sue90, If someone says god bless or god forgives, they are the ones pushing their religion. Why would someone just say that to anyone when they have no idea what they believe. Maybe it is believers who have to know when to keep their mouths closed.

don’t worry about them just worry abot you and only you sometimes I feel the same

You can’t really. Religious people love to talk about respect for THEIR beliefs, but almost never reciprocate.

Who cares about a religion? All we care about is that you desire a relationship with your Lord and Savior, of whom is Christ Jesus, Himself and none other! Some say that by the age of 16, if one has heard God’s Word and have not accepted Christ as their Savior, then the possibility of that happening is less and less as age progresses. My prayer is that God’s Word will never return void in your heart. And when your mind and your heart get on the same connection, you will understand that even if you were the only person on this little planet, Jesus would have died just for you. The blood of Christ has covered all sin. Read amblessed’s profile and be blessed!

either don’t say anything or if you must..explain what an agnostic is and let it go at that. I think you will find most “religious” types will want you to believe something and won’t let it rest. don’t get into an argument with them, it is a waste of your time. they “know” they are correct. as far a going to church. well, you live under their roof. there is probably not a lot you can do about it. if you must go, go. again, arguing is not going to change anything, except make things harder at home for you. I told my dad that I would go to temple until I was 16 and confirmed. he agreed. after confirmation, I quit going. do the same when you move out to go to college or straight on to life and a job.

I can relate sort of what you are coming from as far as respect for other religions. Just ignore those people who think you worship the Devil since I’m sure you don’t, and, I’m LDS and I’ve had numerous criticisms from people who are Anti Mormon so, just go on with life and, everyone in this world shouldn’t judge on anybodie’s religion. I respect your religion and won’t say anything against it. Everyone has there beliefs and, they need to stick to what is true. You just stick with your beliefs and don’t let these people put you down when they talkagainst your religion. I’m the same way when it comes to being let down to people disrespecting the LDS faith that I converted to. Don’t worry, your going to run into that for the rest of your life.

Respect is a two-way street. If you expect your parents to respect your decision to become agnostic, then you need to respect their decision to follow their faith.

If you attend church with them, treat their friends and minister with courtesy, and don’t act like a rebellious punk, they will start to listen to you when you explain why you no longer believe in God.

But you have to remember that, as your parents, and as Christian believers, that they feel a lover and obligation to do what they think is best for your happiness in the long run.

Keep the lines of communication open, discuss their beliefs without attacking them, and they will do the same in return.

You are a minor so basically what your parents say goes (short of child abuse, I personally consider religious indoctrination a form of child abuse but sadly those in power don’t agree).

If your parents make you go to church go there and learn all about it. You don’t have to believe it in order to learn what it says. Then when you still reject it years from now your parents will be more likely to respect your decision.

There are a number of good books about atheism that have come out recently, give “God is Not Great” and “The God Delusion” a read. Books like these will give you some verbal ammo when believers attack you.

Just tell them what your religion is about (just to explain) and then make sure they know you arnt a devil worshiper…I however am a satanist and a wiccan and just got into a conflict at school today, what I did was change the subject usually I wont talk about my religions (bring it up), because im not into that sort of conflict…its hard to gain peoples trust but you just must be patient, its probebly a really strict sort of communtity at your school etc…I’d get burned at the stake for my religions but im sure you wont…you just must be patient, expalin to them that devil worshiping and being agnostic are two very different things, maybe explain to them why you dont believe in god…in the end you have rights and freedom to your own opinion so there all just going to have to deal with it and adjust.

amblessed - another insightful answer. and jimahl is correct. I didn’t read anyone putting down her parents. where do you get this negative stuff? I hope it isn’t an indication of your christian love and understanding…

Amblessed, I don’t believe anyone said, or implied that her parents were terrible people for wanting her to go to church.