=(

[MentalSoliloquy]

I just had a huge fight with my parents, well...my dad was screaming at me.

He said that I will not be considered any other denomination other than my own as long as I live under his roof...

I was born into greek orthodoxy, At the moment what I am has no label...I'm just a christian.

I really don't know what to do right now, I want to cry...but I am more angry I don't know.

He hasput the blame on my boyfriend even though it has nothing to do with him, he said that he didn't care, hes going to blame it on him anyway.

I don't know what to do...

 

[Heiroglyph]

Colossians 3:20 - Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Once you get married and leave the nest, you can go your own way. For now you should listen and obey to your father. I hope that helps, that is what I think is right for you.

 

[MentalSoliloquy]

Why do I have to wait to BELIEVE and ACT as a proper christian?!

Why do I have to pretend that I am something if I am not...

 

[StAnselm]

Why not just call yourself Greek Orthodox? It's not incompatible with being a Christian.

 

[StAnselm]

How do 'proper' Christians believe and act, that you can't do as an orthodox Christian? OK, maybe you don't feel comfortable belonging to that denomination, but it would be nice to keep the peace.

 

[Heiroglyph]

I think because it is God's will that you should obey your parents. Your father has said you cannot change your denomination until you move out of his house so you should respect that since your father believes he is saving you from a terrible mistake and also saving his family from some embarassment maybe. By obeying your parents you are doing a service to the Lord, not to your parents.
As the rest of the context goes,

Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

You are serving Jesus Christ by doing so.

 

[MentalSoliloquy]

but what about obeying God...and His word!!

 

[StAnselm]

Indeed - that must come first. We must always obey God rather than man.

But I'm confused - is there a specific command you have in mind? How does being nominally Greek Orthdox constitute disobedience??

 

[Sketcher]

You could always move out. Not with your boyfriend though.

 

[arunma]

I just want to remind everyone that obeying one's parents isn't always God's will. When Saint Paul writes that children should obey their parents, he assumes that the parents are disciples of Christ. After all, the same apostles who said "we should obey God rather than men" also told us that we should obey the government. Whenver we obey earthly authority, we can't disobey God. If MentalSoliloquy's parents were not Christians at all, would you advise her to remain Muslim or Buddhist just to keep the peace?

All that said, the Orthodox church is still a pretty good denomination of Christianity. Anyway MentalSoliloquy, I suppose you could try to keep peace with your dad and politely tell him that you'd like to be part of another denomination. And of course, pray about all this.

If it makes you feel any better, my parents come from a long line of Hindus, so I'm the apostate of the family. They were rather disturbed when I started attending a Baptist church, but they don't really mind anymore. We still don't agree on the issue of religion, but I have a great relationship with both of my parents. In most cases, these differences can be worked out, over time.

 

[MrsGnomeCrusher]

You could always move out. Not with your boyfriend though.

I agree. I don't know your situation, if you work or go to school, but I see you're 23. Perhaps this is what you need to leave the nest.

 

[Dark_Lite]

Why do I have to wait to BELIEVE and ACT as a proper christian?!

Why do I have to pretend that I am something if I am not...

........

Orthodox Christians ARE "proper" Christians.

 

[artybloke]

but what about obeying God...and His word!!

What is it about Greek Orthodoxy that makes you think that you have to walk away from it and join another denomination? It is one of the oldest forms of Christianity, probably the nearest in worship we'll ever get to the 1st century church, and has a long and very deep tradition of spirituality that it might be a good idea to begin to explore for yourself before rejecting it outright. Read the Holy Fathers, find out if they really are speaking truth and don't let others tell you what to think to the extent of following them blindly.

Is it the Holy Spirit who is leading you away from orthodoxy, or is peer pressure, or the influence of some other form of Christianity? There are many people out there who will tell you that there way is the only way, but believe you me, there are many ways to Christ. Not all of them involve literalistic and simplistic interpretations of scripture.

Test the spirits, in otherwords.

 

[arunma]

Well I do have much praise for Eastern Orthodoxy. In fact, if I weren't a Baptist, I think I'd be Greek Orthodox. But I admit, even I have some problems with it. For example: their belief in the perpetual virginity of Mary, they're baptism of infants, their prayers to the saints, and especially their refusal to expressly deny the doctrine of universalism (the belief that non-Christians are saved).

Some people just can't accept these doctrines. While I think that Eastern Orthodoxy is a valid form of Christianity, I don't think anyone should be required or forced to remain in that denomination.

 

[artybloke]

What makes me wonder, though, arunma, is just how much of what she is thinking is because of peer pressure, or pressure from other Christians trying to convert her, and how much of it is genuine theological difficulties. She is young after all.

Infant baptism is not exactly a big issue, is it? I mean, the vast majority of the church has practiced it for centuries (Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Moravian & quite a few others...) And I don't think that anyone can expressly rule out that non-Christians can be saved; that's in the hand of God. Everyone shall be judged by the light they recieve.

As for the perpetual virginity of Mary: again, it's not a massive theological issue, is it? I don't believe in it myself, I think it's silly; but it's not worth splitting over.

I think if it is a genuine, well-thought out reason for leaving, rather than something caused by emotive preaching and peer pressure, than she should of course leave and join another church. People do that all the time; quite a few go from Protestant to Orthodox, and I went from evangelical to Anglo-Catholic before about-facing and ending up in the Quakers. I hope I did it because I thought it through, not because of what someone with the loudest voice said.

Though maybe she should leave it until she can legally make her own decisions in life; and not cause too much disruption.

 

[Buttermilk]

She is young after all.

23 is not that young in the scheme of things and certainly old enough to make her own decisions about her life; she can get married, vote, drink, etc, so I think she is also quite able to make decisions about her faith. Its not as if she is actually turning her back on Christianity, just changing her outlook on it.

At the end of the day faith is a personal thing - you cannot make someone believe something just because you want them to.

Its just my personal opinion, but I don't think moving from one denomination to another is or should be that big a deal. We are all singing from (should be) the same hymn sheet at the end of the day.

 

[emehippy]

but what about obeying God...and His word!!

What is God telling you? I ask because it IS very important to follow God. I am 25 myself and I got saved at 23 so I understand some of those feelings you are having. But then again I was married at 22 and have had my own house since 21 so I didn't have to deal with parents not wanting me to do something. My mom was actually proud of me cause I went from being a pagan to being a Christian LOL. Your dad is just trying to protect you because I am sure he loves you and dosn't want you to fall away from God.
Take care and remember God loves you VERRY much