Q&A for How to Tell Your Parents You are Following a Religion They Don't Approve of

You have to be mature enough to understand what you are doing and the consequences of your actions.

The Pope and the New Testament say, 'Yes,' we just need Jesus in our lives. However people who leave their religious practice do sometimes, unfortunately, become subject to abuse for choosing a new path. If you were physically abused, don't hesitate to seek outside help. Everyone should be permitted to follow their own path and physical abuse is a grave mistreatment.

Tell the parent that you aren't worried much about first. If the outcome is good, ask that parent to help you and stand by your side for support while you tell the other parent.

If your parents are that against a religion, you probably need to wait until you are no longer under their control.

It might be easier to keep your conversion to Buddhism under wraps until you are out of the house. You can learn as much about it as you can, but if you are under 18 or living at home, it could be difficult to convert.

Nope. It's your belief system. Just ensure that you are attending in a safe manner (that is, not sneaking out in the middle of the night putting your own self in danger).

Belief systems are a personal choice. If you want to be Jewish... convert. The choice is yours to make, no one else's.

Your parents won't always support your decisions in life. As long as you are making safe decisions (safe for yourself and others), and have strong role models in your chosen faith, who cares what you believe? Your parents don't necessarily even have to know. It's a personal decision, much like how you don't have to announce or explain that you prefer tea to coffee.

Atheists tend to think that everyone has the right to believe in whatever they please. I'm sure your parents wouldn't mind at all.

Sit her down and say you need to talk about something serious. She will probably take you seriously and understand that this is a big thing for you.

Hinduism is a very accepting religion. If you want to convert, they should be okay with it. if not, really the only thing you can do is wait until you're 18, or do not let them know.

It is good you want to convert to Christianity. However, it is true that Muslims will often disown people who leave the religion. You should pray to God about this. Ask Him what you should do. Wait a while, don't rush your conversion. God will guide you.

Let your parents talk to you in private. Your parents probably just want to know how and why you became an atheist. They're worried because they have a different belief from you, and they want to understand you a little more. Don't be stressed out; just try to talk to them a little more.

Just tell her that even though you don't believe in God or a deity, she still can. It's your belief. Or, don't tell her.

Wicca is a very spiritual practice. I would tell them in a safe setting. Just because they are atheists doesn't mean they won't understand.

Be patient and kind with them. Put yourself in your shoes, imagine your children decide to convert to something else and practice it near you. Stay strong, it might take time but with goodwill and patience, you could turn them around.

No, this is not abuse.

Be direct, honest and precise. If you want something done, just be honest and true and the rest will follow.

If they seem concerned, explain that you do not believe in, let alone worship Satan. Maybe you could explain who you do worship, whether it's the Holy Mother, a triune goddess, or someone else.

Your parents will probably be offended if you tell them their God is just a god and shouldn't be worshiped. No one appreciates having their beliefs challenged or criticized, especially parents. However, you are entitled to your beliefs. If you want to avoid painful arguments and hard feelings, agree to disagree.

Catholics are Christians. There are other Christian denominations, such as the Anglicans. Explain why you feel you want to change denominations to your parents.

Just don't tell him that you are one until you're able to live without his support.

If you think it will be a serious problem, maybe you could wait another two years (until you're an adult) to tell them. However, maybe they'll be okay with it as long as you're still a Christian. You could always try asking them what they think of other denominations, and non-denominational Christians, without hinting that you think you might be one yourself (it's a normal question for someone who wants to learn more about their religion).

Jesus was asked which command is the greatest. He answered with two: love God and love each other. The most important aspect of following Jesus is loving each other. When you love your parents, you are sharing what Jesus wanted you to share. When someone feels truly loved and respected, they are more likely to accept your decision to follow Christ. No one will listen to someone who is not loving and respectful.

Instead of focusing upon differences, look to common ideas. For example, there is only one Savior Jesus for all Christians. There is not a Catholic Jesus and a Protestant Jesus, etc. All Protestant Scriptures are in the Catholic Bible as well. Both churches teach the death and resurrection of Jesus. Both churches believe in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Both churches agree that followers of Jesus should develop Christlike character qualities. You will find hundreds of more agreements if you think about it.

Open as simply as possible by telling her that you want to talk. Then add that you want to talk to her about your faith. Assess her response so that you can decide how comfortable you will be sharing more about your decision. You may also pose questions to create a dialog, such as asking if her parents were baptized or if she has ever thought about being baptized. Make up your mind that you can disagree with each other and still accept and value one another.

You don't need to make any great decisions and announce them. Follow up your leanings, follow your truths and do the best to critically analyse truth from the hype. You don't need to tell the parents anything yet. It's unlikely to be an easy conversation so work on yourself first, see if Buddhism is for you so much that it's worth the conflict with your parents...and if you start practising Buddhism, you may well get the skills to manage the rocky waters ahead. But you don't owe your parents an explanation of your spirituality. They never justified theirs to you.

1. Remember that Jesus was Jewish. He followed all the Jewish traditions of His time, including rituals and Temple worship. Converting to Christianity means becoming a follower of Jesus as the Messiah. You do not need to be an enemy to Judaism. You will need to accept Jesus as savior. 2. Accept Jesus as the fulfillment of all Messianic expectation. 3. Accept Jesus as the highest High Priest. Jesus is the way to God. Jesus is our great Intercessor. 4. Accept Jesus as the Lamb of God, fulfilling the Passover. 5. Examine the books of the Christian bible. Most of them were written by Jewish followers of Messiah Jesus. The book of Hebrews will help to understand the Jewish-ness of Jesus.

It is not necessary to attend church services to confess your sins to Jesus Christ and receive forgiveness. You may pray in private wherever you are. You may pray silently or quietly or aloud. You may want to pray something like, "Jesus, I ask you to forgive my sins. (Name specific sins as appropriate.) I believe that You gave Your life to take away my sins. I ask you to give me the spiritual strength to follow You as my king." You may talk to Jesus as you would talk to any other person.

Ask them why it is bad to make up a religion. They may be able to explain how made-up religions are not genuine and cannot substitute for true faith in God.