Parents

[mainbutter]

You have my sympathies. Feel free to vent here. I have no advice, but if I were in your situation.. most likely I would handle it poorly.

[Savannelee]

Funny I went through the EXACT same thing. IT SUCKS . I know.
When you are old enough to be on your own, you will have the freedom to make your own choices.
Hang tight, your almost there.

[Ridinandreptiles]

Don't get me wrong I rep spect eeryones opinions, but why am I the bad guy when nobody will repect me?

[chet1028]

They are doing what they believe is in your best interest. When you are older you will probably thank them for it. You may not see the value at this point but your parents clearly find it to be important. Do it for them. You'll be glad you did someday.

[Raptor]

They are doing what they believe is in your best interest. When you are older you will probably thank them for it. You may not see the value at this point but your parents clearly find it to be important. Do it for them. You'll be glad you did someday.

Highly unlikely. If someone isn't interested in religion, then being forced into it is just going to make them hate it.

[Ridinandreptiles]

Highly unlikely. If someone isn't interested in religion, then being forced into it is just going to make them hate it.

It's tricky because I am a believe to a certain degree, most of those guys are psyco

[barbie.dragon]

They are doing what they believe is in your best interest. When you are older you will probably thank them for it. You may not see the value at this point but your parents clearly find it to be important. Do it for them. You'll be glad you did someday.

I definitely agree with this. Whether or not you keep faith to your religion you will take 2 things away:
1. God important
OR
2. Now you know forcing other people because YOU believe it is for their best interest is a terribad idea.

Hell I'm legally an adult but I go to church every Sunday not because of my avid belief of God, because I live under my mom's house and I have to respect what she deems important. I don't have to go but I feel obligated to go because God is important to my mom and if it makes her that happy for me to spend a few hours at church (and spend time with my old childhood friends) that's fine by me. Living without paying rent or any utilities is a big plus. ANYWAYS BACK TO YOUR SITUATION.

Just don't think so negatively of your situation. I had my fair share of small group meetings when I was a lot younger, and while I don't necessarily appreciate it, going there gave me a whole new perspective on life. Not in a religious epiphany sense, but as a human being. I don't know how to describe it but you'll take something away from any experience. Right now I don't go to any small group meetings but I do meet somewhat with the church just because I DO believe in a God, but in a different sense. There are some nut jobs out there though, so all I can say is be very very careful. Anyways, if you got more to vent that happens to be more about the religious group itself you can feel free to PM me. I had my fair share of paranoia if my church was a cult etc. (I found out my church is not a cult. Whew)

[wolfy-hound]

I think it's great that your parents care about you. Since you live there, you get to play by their rules until you're on your own, paying your own bills. Whether you are 18 or not, you live there, you got rules.

Once you're on your own, you can choose what to do and what to not do. I'm not religious at all, and I attended religious schools. I got to hear all about Christianity every day, every week, for 12 years. And it's not that bad. Even if you don't believe, knowing about the religion means that you can more coherently argue your points later on when religious people try to use the Bible or the CHristian tenets against you. Being able to out-quote the Bible at someone is pretty useful in ending an argument you don't want to have.

Just like having to eat what your parents say you have to, be home the hours they set, you get to attend churchy stuff until you're out. Remember, you can always engage the people there in discussions about why you don't believe certain aspects, or ask them why this or how that... as long as you're respectful in your questions and discussions, they can't really say that you're being disruptive.

[CatandDiallo]

Hell I'm legally an adult but I go to church every Sunday not because of my avid belief of God, because I live under my mom's house and I have to respect what she deems important. I don't have to go but I feel obligated to go because God is important to my mom and if it makes her that happy for me to spend a few hours at church (and spend time with my old childhood friends) that's fine by me. Living without paying rent or any utilities is a big plus. ANYWAYS BACK TO YOUR SITUATION.

Just don't think so negatively of your situation. I had my fair share of small group meetings when I was a lot younger, and while I don't necessarily appreciate it, going there gave me a whole new perspective on life. Not in a religious epiphany sense, but as a human being. I don't know how to describe it but you'll take something away from any experience. Right now I don't go to any small group meetings but I do meet somewhat with the church just because I DO believe in a God, but in a different sense. There are some nut jobs out there though, so all I can say is be very very careful. Anyways, if you got more to vent that happens to be more about the religious group itself you can feel free to PM me. I had my fair share of paranoia if my church was a cult etc. (I found out my church is not a cult. Whew)

I highly disagree with this.

Yes, they are your parents and yes, you're living under their roof, but I feel as though a certain amount of respect should come from them, and it doesn't look like it is happening right now.

I can not imagine my parents forcing me to go to a church or a youth group without my wanting to (if they were religious). Also, I could not see them stopping me from going to church on Sundays if I wanted to (if they were Atheists).
I live on my own now, but 4 years ago when I did live with them, they would have never even thought to do something against my wishes and beliefs like that.

Perhaps I am just fortunate, but I feel like forcing religion upon someone (while that person is visibly resistant) is one of the most cruel things a parent/caretaker can do.

I'm sorry if someone mentioned this before in this thread, but I'm editing a paper and don't have time to go through it all.

- - - Updated - - -

It won't let me edit my post, but I'd just like to add:

Although I didn't have experience with religion being offered to me, my sister and I did have the option to go to Polish and/or Ukrainian school, and we rejected it. Although it was important to my parents, they decided to respect our decisions and pushed no further.

[C.A.Goalie]

I have to agree with those that are saying that since you are still living at home and under age you have to play by your parents rules. Is there something in particular about youth group that you don't enjoy or is it just that your parents are making you go? I do have something to confess, I am a preacher's kid and growing up had to attend church every time the doors were open. I didn't enjoy it alot when I was much younger but now as an adult I do enjoy going to church and seeing everyone there and fellowshipping with other believers. (I also teach Sunday School, 3 yr olds)