New + need advice (moved from New Member Intros)

[Heidiii]

Hi everyone! Decided I might come join and see what I think of this forum...

My mother is atheist, and I think my father is agnostic. I've kinda always considered myself as agnostic to keep my parents happy. I'm a post graduate college student in my 20's and have started to realise the importance of making my own decisions in life and following what I feel is right.

I went to church a few times about a year ago with a friend but stopped because I felt guilty about going against my parents beliefs.

This may sound completely crazy, but I really want to go back. It feels as though something or someone is communicating with me from inside me, but not through any normal sense. I can't think of how to describe it though.

But, is it right to betray my parents? And is it likely this is my desire to be a Christian or am I just confused?

 

[billypayton]

Hello †Friend, and Welcome to CF, may your stay here be Blessed !
You do what your heart tells you what to do, the love of Jesus is
always with you, and God loves you also. I hope you decide to make
the right decision and follow what your heart feels, God be with you!

 

[Johnny Todd]

God loves and wants to save your whole family, Its His desire that every human would repent and turn from their own ways and follow His Son Jesus into eternal life, you may be the only one who has heard His still small voice calling to you to come to Him. Its a love so deep it reaches the bottom of your soul, I know God exist so I'm a little biased. but seek Him and He will make Himself known to you

 

[Angeldove97]

My mother is atheist, and I think my father is agnostic. I've kinda always considered myself as agnostic to keep my parents happy.

This may sound completely crazy, but I really want to go back. It feels as though something or someone is communicating with me from inside me, but not through any normal sense. I can't think of how to describe it though.

But, is it right to betray my parents? And is it likely this is my desire to be a Christian or am I just confused?

I'm Mom is an odd mix of Christian and non-Christian beliefs and my Dad is atheist/agnostic (I guess that makes them both odd mixes ). For some reason it was really important to my Dad that my sister (who's now not Christian) and myself to be a part of the Russian Orthodox Church~ that's what the family did!

When I decided to be a Protestant, my Dad was very upset but he let it go eventually. My Mom was happy as long as I worshiped God. I realized that for some reason I was being "pulled along" into this faith and that it would be better for me to try to experience it and see how it goes instead of just following along my parents. They know I love them, but they understand I'm my own person too.

Something tells me that if you do decide to become a Christian and follow Jesus Christ, your parents will still love you. They might not support you being a believer (they might even mock you~ as my Dad has tendencies to do when I first started out on my path) but they will still love you-- you are their child.

Talking to a pastor or a priest about this might also be useful. I'm sure you could use a mentor to help you start out on your path of faith and they might be able to assist you in "breaking the news" to your parents.

God is calling you~ come and follow Him.

 

[SplendidTree]

Welcome to CF! Saying a prayer for you right now!

 

[Habakk]

Hello welcome to CF

Hi everyone! Decided I might come join and see what I think of this forum...

But, is it right to betray my parents? And is it likely this is my desire to be a Christian or am I just confused?

No you are not confused you just need to discern those things God is laying on you heart to those of your own thoghts and concerns. The only way you can do this is to make room for what your own heart is telling you.

 

[servant of Merciful Love]

Welcome

 

[Isatis]

Welcome to CF!

 

[Emmy]

Dear Heidiii. I can understand that you do not want to upset your parents, and you may be sure that Jesus knows too, but there is no harm in being loving and kind to all you know and all you meet. Jesus told a Lawyer in Matthew, chapter 22, verses 35-40: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: Love thy neighbour as thyself." Then Jesus states this fact: " On these two Commandments, hang all the Law and the Prophets." God wants our love, selfless and freely given. Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will give us His Love, too. Jesus told us: " Ask and ye will receive," then we thank God and share all Love and Joy with all around us. People will notice our kindness, and they will bevome loving/kind as well. Love is very catching, Heidi. God will see our sincere efforts, and God will approve and bless us, AND God will know that we love Him, because we are following His Commandments to love and care. Your parents will love you all the more. A Christian`s sword is Love, and before long your prayers will open your parents eyes, and they will want to join you. Don`t hide your love for our Lord, let it grow and help change your parents and your neighbours. I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, sister in Christ.

 

[ephraimanesti]

Hi everyone! Decided I might come join and see what I think of this forum...

My mother is atheist, and I think my father is agnostic. I've kinda always considered myself as agnostic to keep my parents happy. I'm a post graduate college student in my 20's and have started to realise the importance of making my own decisions in life and following what I feel is right.

I went to church a few times about a year ago with a friend but stopped because I felt guilty about going against my parents beliefs.

This may sound completely crazy, but I really want to go back. It feels as though something or someone is communicating with me from inside me, but not through any normal sense. I can't think of how to describe it though.

But, is it right to betray my parents? And is it likely this is my desire to be a Christian or am I just confused?

MY DEAR FRIEND,

You are NOT in any way "betraying your parents." If anything, when they see the changes which God, through His Holy Spirit, brings about in you and in your life, i believe that they will opt to join you rather than judge or be offended at what you have discovered--and they have been missing.

This is exactly what happened with my wife and i. i was an atheist of the worst sort--an active and abusive campaigner against God--until i began to watch her after her conversion. There was an unmistakable change which i could not overlook or explain away. She had "SOMETHING" which i wanted very badly and, all praise to my Abba, i went for it and have never looked back since.

Follow that Voice--it is the Holy Spirit whispering in your Heart. Save yourself and your parents! MAY YOU ALL BE BLESSED!

ABBA'S SLAVE,
ephraim

 

[Heidiii]

Wow, sorry for such a late reply, but thanks for all the comments, they are very encouraging!!

Another big thing I need to do is decide which specific branch of Christianity best fits how I feel and believe, although I'll prolly figure that out myself by reading and stuff. (Although maybe I'll make another thread here, but I don't want to ask too many silly questions!!)

Love you Jesus for sticking by me despite my somewhat disloyalty and uncertainty towards you <3

Heidi

 

[elopez]

But, is it right to betray my parents? And is it likely this is my desire to be a Christian or am I just confused?

How would you be betraying your parents to do something you want? If you wish to go back to said church, and your parents aren't supportive or at the least respect your desicion, aren't they kinda betraying you?

Plus, you may never know if it is a desire to be a Christian or that you're just confused if you never go.

 

[hedrick]

I'm not a parent myself. But my impression from talking with them is that they don't expect their children to be clones of themselves, and would rather see them pursue the truth honestly, even if they come to difference conclusions. I wouldn't think parents would see that as betrayal.

Besides, there's a limit to what you can reasonably expect from a child. Children often don't value the same causes. Children of ardent Christians often don't grow up that way. The Puritans in early American had wanted to create a Christian commonwealth. But they had to face the fact that many of their children didn't have the same priority. Hence they ended up adjusting their rules to allow people who weren't convinced Christians to vote.

There are, of course, parents who find this hard to accept. However it's not healthy for either of you for adults to remain too dependent upon their parents. Honor, yes. Support as they age, definitely. But you need to develop your own commitments, as diplomatically as possible.

I'd give the same advice to someone whose parents are Christian and couldn't see anything in Christianity themselves.

As to churches, I wouldn't worry too much. There are a few major flavors. You should probably learn enough to see what you're interested in: Catholic, Orthodox, mainline (i.e. moderately liberal) Protestant, conservative Protestant of a couple of kinds, such as "generic" evangelical, one of the confessional traditions going back to the Reformation, Pentecostal. THe major decision seems to be Catholic/Orthodox, mainline or some kind of more conservative Protestant. Within that, it may depend more upon the specific local congregation than their specific "brand" of Christianity. Among the groups I mention, there are lots of similarities. Some will be more legalistic, mainline will accept evolution and homosexuality (though so will some more liberal evangelicals), Catholic and Orthodox strongly value their traditions and have fairly formal worship. But even there the lines blur. E.g. Anglicans combine several approaches, and there are liberal evangelical churches. Really, the best thing is to get to know a few churches nearby. If you have any Christian friends there are may be advantages to joining them. See what opportunities the congregations provide for new members to learn (and whether you trust the people who are teaching).

Most of us have gotten over the "we're the only true church" bit, though Catholics and Orthodox still feel this way in a sense.

 

[Heidiii]

I'd want to be a part of a church that was fairly liberal (as I believe in evolution and think homosexuality is ok), and I also value helping others less fortunate than myself a lot. And I also value sharing love with all, including non Christians.

 

[AlexBP]

Hi Heidiii,

I'm glad that you've found us here. Your story actually sounds very similar to mine, because my parents were both atheists or agnostics when I was young. My mother is a Christian now, my father is still an atheist but luckily he has learned to accept me.

If there's an Episcopal church in your area, I would suggest that you try visiting them. They tend to be very welcoming to new members.

 

[bling]

I consider myself extremely conservative but belief in evolution and have no problem fellowshipping homosexuals that are open to alternatives.
I want you to go where you will grow spiritually and be able to help others. I would suggest lots of pray and spend time with the people. Remember the way to recognize true Christians is by their Love and not their words (the Pharisees had the right words).

 

[Harry3142]

Heidiii-

Some people worry that if a member of the family becomes a Christian, that member will start being judgemental and critical of the other members of the family. But Christianity is a religion that teaches us that we are to be compasionate, kind, and patient with others, rather than giving them a hard time. That would include your parents. Even though they do not share our belief, they are still to be loved and respected, and even shown deference due to their being your parents.

Insofar as a church denomination is concerned, I would suggest a Methodist or Presbyterian church. They are both liberal and nonjudgemental. Stay within the mainstream churches, such as Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican (Episcopal), and Wesleyan.