I basically just feel like venting. Here goes.

I have always gone to church, basically because I had to. Now that I have moved clearly to another state, I've noticed that my mom calls me every Sunday only to ask if I gone. It didn't really bother me at first, but now it does. These past couple of Sundays, I haven't felt like attending church. My mom called last Sunday, and she told me I better go. Here's the thing, growing up, I rarely had any choices. My mom TOLD me what I should do, wear, go, etc. Now that I have moved out and away, she is still acting the same way. She raised her voice over the phone, when I told her I didn't go to church on Sunday. I just feel like it's finally my decision or choice. What's weird is, I don't even feel guilty about not going to church. That's not the only thing she raised her voice about. She even wants me to move back home to attend grad school, so that way she can visit me more often (that was her actual reason). *This was a short and sweet venting*

Any advice for me on how to handle this situation? Anyone out there who has gone through something similar?

If you don't want to go to church, don't. It's your choice and yours alone.

EDIT: Stupid comment by me.

I used to go to Church every Sunday morning, but I stopped going about five years ago. This wasn't becasue I lost faith in God or the teachings of Jesus, my faith is still a very important part of my life. I stopped attending Church because I didn't feel I was getting as much out of it as I wanted. The Priest spent more time talking about the weekly fundriasers then he did any spiritual matters. I do miss going though. I strongly disagree with Lucas that Church is a place for suckers.

I used to go to Church every Sunday morning, but I stopped going about five years ago. This wasn't becasue I lost faith in God or the teachings of Jesus, my faith is still a very important part of my life. I stopped attending Church because I didn't feel I was getting as much out of it as I wanted. The Priest spent more time talking about the weekly fundriasers then he did any spiritual matters. I do miss going though. I strongly disagree with Lucas that Church is a place for suckers.
DAX, I guess that my statement was a little strong, but I feel that putting your faith in something that you can't see, talk to, or hear is not for me. I also can't understand why people follow the bible so closely, it was just written by an average guy. Because, if God does exist I don't think he'd be so against homosexuality. People are people and if God is truly as great as everyone says he wouldn't care about homosexuality, abortion, etc, etc.

I used to go to Church every Sunday morning, but I stopped going about five years ago. This wasn't becasue I lost faith in God or the teachings of Jesus, my faith is still a very important part of my life. I stopped attending Church because I didn't feel I was getting as much out of it as I wanted. The Priest spent more time talking about the weekly fundriasers then he did any spiritual matters. I do miss going though. I strongly disagree with Lucas that Church is a place for suckers.

i agree- all my pastor wanted to talk about was how bad other religions were and he always bashed gay people so i stopped going too besides my church was becoming a fashion show and a place to meet with boys/girls it wasnt about God anymore
but anywho felicitylen i think you should tell your mother that its your choice to go or not and youll go when youre ready and when you want to

DAX, I guess that my statement was a little strong, but I feel that putting your faith in something that you can't see, talk to, or hear is not for me. I also can't understand why people follow the bible so closely, it was just written by an average guy. Because, if God does exist I don't think he'd be so against homosexuality. People are people and if God is truly as great as everyone says he wouldn't care about homosexuality, abortion, etc, etc.



Lucas, I just want you to know that I wasn't offended by what you said or was upset in anyway. I just disagreed with you. :)

As far as homosexuality goes, I don't think God has a problem with people being gay. He loves us all for who and what we are. Some religions and even the bible preach against homosexuality, but I've never for a second believed that is what God feels.

i agree- all my pastor wanted to talk about was how bad other religions were and he always bashed gay people so i stopped going too besides my church was becoming a fashion show and a place to meet with boys/girls it wasnt about God anymore
but anywho felicitylen i think you should tell your mother that its your choice to go or not and youll go when youre ready and when you want to

My old church that I was attending before I moved was like that. I couldn't stand it. Also, the people at my old church and a few that I have visited since I've moved were fake. It's like why bother.

Thanks everyone for responding. :)

The next time your mother calls and asks, tell her what you have told us. You're old enough to make your own choices. Don't feel guilty about telling this to your mother. It's the truth.

I agree that no one should be forced to go to Church if they don't want to.

hope we helped :)

As someone who goes to church on a regular basis, I wouldn't tell you that you "have" to go. Everybody's walk is different, you should go, but don't have to.

I stopped going when I was 18 and could make my own choices, my parents may not agree with my agnoticism, but they know its my "belief" and love me just the same.
Tell your mother its your choice and that you respect her position, but agree to disagree

It should be your decision and your decision alone.



I had the same issue w/ parents who tried to make every decision for me growing up. Now I really just dont tell them anything. It sounds awful, but its the only way Ive been able to figure out who I am. I still go to church, but I've experimented with different denominations-- from catholic to quaker... and could figure out for myself what i believed in.

I haven't been to church since the late 70's. :lol: Anyway, I think the decision should be yours.

I've never been to church much even though I believe in God.For me God is everywhere and I don't need to go to church to talk to him. The decision is yours though.

The descison should be yours now that you are an adult. It is hard sometimes to find a church that you are comfortable with. Take your time. If you find one great, but that doesn't mean you don't believe in God and still cant pray and/ or read the Bible if you want. :)

I will agree that it is your choice.

I grew up attending church every Sunday, including Sunday School. I enjoyed those years. I enjoy the fellowship and the insipiration. After dealing with a week of the good mixed with the bad, I look forward to Sunday service. For me it delivers the stress of the week and gives me a positive outlook for the week ahead.

Yes God is everywhere but even He said to forsake not the assembling of ourselves together. When you are with a group of people to share and learn, it makes whatever we are going through not seem so bad and strengthens our spirit.

I also agree that you have to be careful that you choose the right church and that takes time. Only you will know.

I have a problem with people, and it was highly visible for a short period after 9/11, who turn to God and run to church after such a disaster that hits so close to home and realize how it could have been them, and then a few weeks later go about their daily lives without even considering God.

I thank God everyday, and I talk to him everyday, and I can say that I have a strong relationship with him in the good and the bad. And without that relationship he will only seem as an intangible being. When there is a consistent relationship with God, He becomes a living being in your life, whether you need a friend or parent.

I believe that God loves everyone, just as a parent loves their child, but he does not agree with or like everything that we do.

I don't like boring churches, a church has to have life for God is life.

I am fortunate in my adult years to belong to a wonderful church which attracted me based on it's strong similarities to the church of my youth.

As with any place, when you are in the company with a large group of people, there will be a mixture of personalities. Not every person who attends church is a good person, but hopefully one day they will be, so don't let that dismay you. None of us are perfect, God has to help us all in different areas of our lives.

People choose to believe what they want to believe in reference to the Bible as the written word. As far as I'm concerned, I believe it all or nothing, but I study the Bible daily for my own understanding which God told us to do because He knew that not everyone would speak the truth. I do know that the Bible has prophesied everything that is occuring in the Middle East even now so if the Bible can be so accurate in reference to the current wars, why can it not be accurate about everything else.

I do know that as people, we never lose that tendancy to do the opposite of what we feel we are pressured to do. It's our nature to be quote, unquote rebelious. We do it as children and we do it as adults. So the more your mother pressures you, the longer you won't.

Tell your mother, if she believes then God's Word won't fail her. Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6. You might stray for a while, but you will come back.

I pray for your peace during your decision. :)

Zion is named from the Bible for he is the joy of the whole earth. :wave:

DAX, I guess that my statement was a little strong, but I feel that putting your faith in something that you can't see, talk to, or hear is not for me.

I agree. It may just be ignorance, but the entire concept of religion has never made any sense to me. I've always seen it as something that people practice so they have something to believe in and something that will give them stability in their lives. I'm not against religion, I just can't fully grasp the concept of it.

I agree with everyone else that you are an adult and it is your descision whether you want to attend church or not. Just keep telling your mom that. She will have to learn to live with it. Your mom sounds a lot like my mom. We were forced to attend church every Sunday too when I was a kid and I hated it. Maybe if my mother had sat me down and explained to me about God and what church was all about and what the prayers meant etc... I may have enjoyed it more but she just always told me to sit down and be quiet. that just resulted in me not going to church when I grew up.
I think you made a very wise descision though by moving out of state and getting away from your mom. The worst thing you could do now is move back home with her.
Just do like everyone else says and tell her that you are an adult and you will do what you want. It may result in your mom not speaking to you anymore (that happened to me) but you are entitled to a life of your own.

It should be your desicion. Honestly, if you believe in God that it doesnt matter whether you go to church or not, and that goes for any religion.

You're now an adult - it's between you and your God.

That said, we still don't eat meat on Easter Friday and Christmas Eve because of my husband's mother. She knows she'll never get him to church again, but still phones to make sure we're not eating meat (and he's 47!!!).

I don't really mind, although it does through a wrench into my traditional Christmas Eve buffet I always used to have.

You're now an adult - it's between you and your God.

That said, we still don't eat meat on Easter Friday and Christmas Eve because of my husband's mother. She knows she'll never get him to church again, but still phones to make sure we're not eating meat (and he's 47!!!).

I don't really mind, although it does through a wrench into my traditional Christmas Eve buffet I always used to have.
what religion is that?

No ham on Christmas Eve? now THATS a sin!!

I've never been to church much even though I believe in God.For me God is everywhere and I don't need to go to church to talk to him. The decision is yours though.

I don't go to church much for the same reason.

I don't buy into organized religion, so I naturally don't go to church and have absolutely no desire too. If I want to learn about God, I'd rather do it on my own.

Your mom needs to learn to let go a little. No one learns anything unless they make decisions by themselves. My mom has known that if I didn't take her advice over something, I'd regret it...and she was right. But she let me make the mistake on my own.

Thanks everyone for the advice! :)

This sounds to me like a control issue rather than a religious issue. You eventually will have to stand your ground. Sooner than later I would advise.

Go To Church Or Go To Hell :lol:
I saw that on a church billboard.

Also :
We need to talk-
God

Body piercing saved my life.

Are you living it or wearing it?

Love to a child is spelled T-i-m-e.

As for myself I don't go to church like I should. I believe in God and Jesus.