Parents

It doesn't sound to me like your parents are trying to force you to believe anything, only that you go to the group and think about the possibility.

To the one that talked about a lack of belief not equating a belief system.. it's the same way that you use the 'Right to Religious Freedom" to NOT have to follow a religion. Your belief is that there is no god.

And I haven't seen anyone here saying that not being religious = not having values. Look at it as this... if he were spending every night huddled in his room, never interacting with anyone, never going out with friends, refusing to socialize with his peers, etc... and they said "Look, you're going out to the school function and meeting other people your age." then they'd be trying to do what's best for him. To his parents, a lack of religious belief is just as potentially serious as not having any social interactions.

And again.. no one can force a religion on someone. To be part of a religion you MUST believe in it. Otherwise you're a fake or a nonbeliever. When someone is going to church every sunday, carrying a bible around all day but stealing money from his coworkers and abusing his wife... that's not someone who is following the Christian beliefs, no matter HOW much he pretends to be a good person.

You can paint a cross on someone's face and duct tape a bible to their hand. It doesn't make them believe, thus you can't force them to be a part of the faith.

As far as "what about the kids who don't have a choice"? The parents make the decision about what's best, right down to "Can you allow your kid to ride dangerous dirt bikes" and "Should I get to tell my kid what to eat" and "what amount of faith will my kids be told is good". Obviously from many many responses here, being exposed to church and religion did not force anyone to believe in it, now did it?

And, I do agree that most of the religious stuff is detrimental... which I already said. But I respect other people's RIGHT to religious freedom.

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

The FACT is, no one can prove God/Jesus/Allah/FSM doesn't exist

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We can prove that omnipotence is a logical paradox.
Omniscience is a bit tougher to tackle, but there are some good essays on the subject that seem sound enough to me, if a little more complicated than "microwave a burrito so hot that <insert name here> cannot eat it".

Without either, the term "god" seems a bit of an overstatement to describe a being.

Parents can't force belief on someone, but they have the power to force a lie out of someone or face serious consequences. Forcing a child to choose between lying (about something as personal as religious beliefs in particular) or food/housing/happiness can be extremely mentally damaging to a developing mind, and is tantamount to child abuse.

edit:

Final thought for the night

If parents have a right to force religion (religious actions, at the very least) on a child just because they live under the same roof..

Does that child, when grown up, have the right to force atheism upon his/her parents if they should not be able to house themselves later in life and move in with their kid?

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Originally Posted by Ridinandreptiles

They aren't hardcore. Her words are "it teaches you good things and how to be a good person" yeah, like I need to be lectured about how realationships are bad and my snakes want to temp me cause their te devil. No thanks. I can be a good person without that crap

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The bible is full of horrible things that would get people sentenced to death in our society, and many of the horrific things were done by god himself! Soddom and Gomorrah (spelling?) = arson and mass murder, and that is just one example. I, too, can't stand that people feel the need to be religious in order to feel like their moral compass will point in the correct direction. If you are only being good for fear of eternal damnation and I am being good simply for the sake of being good, who's reasons are more noble?\

Love it, Mike!

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

Final thought for the night

If parents have a right to force religion (religious actions, at the very least) on a child just because they live under the same roof..

Does that child, when grown up, have the right to force atheism upon his/her parents if they should not be able to house themselves later in life and move in with their kid?

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This is great, lol


"As long as you're under MY roof you'll be going ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE on Sunday mornings!"

Justice served hot and fresh

now they want me to go to a group because it is one my buddy goes to its like i like my friend but i still dont want to ickkk

I'm pretty ambivalent about religion, so I'm going to focus on the family side of things.

I think I remember you saying your parents wanted you to attend group to instill values. Well, what better people to teach you values than them? Would you be happier spending the time participating in a family board game night (as one example) rather than be stuck in your group? If so, suggest it. Parents aren't around forever, and while it may be a little awkward in the beginning, I think that as an older adult you might appreciate having spent the extra time with them. They'll probably be flattered that you want to spend time with them, and it'll feel less like they need to worry about you. You worry less about the snake cuddled up on your lap than you do the snake trying to sneak away into the couch, you know?

I think it'd be a good compromise because you'd at least be home with access to your pets and quads. Besides, if your parents get busy, game night gets cancelled, and you still probably won't have to go to group! :)

So I had the whole morals and values crap pulled on me again and that it is their parental duty blah blah blah. Then I said that all they want to do is expose me to THEIR religion and that if I wanted to be another religion that request would e spat upon.

Wow, nice respect they're showing you.

Great values.

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Originally Posted by CatandDiallo

Wow, nice respect they're showing you.

Great values.

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and my argueing and resentment is disrespectful:mad: dont get me wrong they have done alot for me and are the best parents in every aspect but this. some say i have nothin to be complaining about but its so annoying

Wow... How long until you're 18?