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.