Acceptance and understanding

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xRainbowRaindrop

Guest
#1
#1
I have recently chosen to leave the catholic church and my mother does not approve of me doing this and cries all the time. I try explaining to her that I have not forsaken god, that I am just worshiping him in a different way, but she cries and yells at me. I do not blame her at all because she was raised catholic and it is what she believes. I am not asking her to switch religions, I just want her to accept my choices and understand that I am doing this to strengthen my relationship with God, not to hurt her (despite what she may think). I am only 14 years old so my mom has the authority to prevent me from going to church but I have begged her not to. I feel so bad because in the bible it says to respect your parents but how can I do that when she doesn't want me to go to church? She tells me that if I want to go to church then I can go to her CATHOLIC church. I just want to be clear here, I am in no way ridiculing Catholicism or anything at all. I don't know if that religion is true or not-only God knows, but when my mom says things like that it doesn't seem fair. she is basically saying: "You should go to my church even though you don't believe in it, instead of going to a church that you do believe in, just because I said so." And to top it all off, my mom has breast cancer and she often uses that to make me feel bad. I just don't know what to do. I will continue to pray. Any advice?:confused:
 
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Ariel82

Guest
#2
#2
I would read your Bible and pray and submit to your mother's authority. Go to her church with her and then see if she will let you go to your church for Wed. night fellowship/Bible study. Sometimes they also have youth groups that meet at a different time than Sunday so you could go with her to spend time with her and then attend some of the other function from the church you feel God calls you to. She just might want you to do something together.
 
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Nancyer

Guest
#3
#3
Ariel82 is right, I'm afraid. The Bible reading, praying and being with God you can do on your own. If you go along with her now, politely, she should see that you are following her wishes. I know it's hard but know that God knows your heart. And can I say I'm very impressed with a 14 year old who so wants to know God. You are leaps and bounds ahead of the game and you and your mom will get through this and love each other. Prayers for you both, keep your faith, my sweet.

 
J

jinx

Guest
#4
#4
I agree with the other ladies, there are other ways of being able to commune with GOD the way you need too and still honor your moms wishes. your still 14, she is still your mom.
 
wisebeardman

wisebeardman

Banned
#5
Mar 22, 2013
4,718
124
63
Indiana
#5
Big part of me wants to say at 14 its time for you to start choosing your own path.

Hate to say it but it sounds like mom is being very controlling using cancer to make someone feel bad is not a good sign. If you go to the church you want to go to she wont be happy but if you give in and go to her church she will feel as she wins and has control.

In my opinion she needs to let go abit and let you make choices of your own.
 
S

ShyForHim

Guest
#6
#6
I have the same exact problem with my mother, though I'm 21 years old. And know what? My mother is very manipulative and controlling. I have a huge respect towards my parents, but I still go to my own church whatsoever.

My mother will never accept me the way I am, but it's alright. What matters is how God sees me.

We all have struggles, but pray to God for her to drop the topic and let you go to the church.
 
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dashadow

Guest
#7
#7
I understand the first several posters wanting to keep the peace. But honoring your Heavenly Father is more important than honoring anyone else. Ideally, you should try and do both to the greatest of your ability.

It would be nice if you could continue going to church with your mother. But if it grieves your spirit, I wouldn't recommend doing so. Asking someone to worship falsely, not according to their beliefs, is far worse to me than not obeying your mother in that regard.

I pray God will provide you and your mother with comfort and direction in this matter. God Bless!
 
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BarlyGurl

Guest
#8
#8
you are 14... you are under your parents authority... or should be. I do not agree with the method your mother is using nor the Catholic docterin of being the "true church"... if she demands you attend services with her... YOU GO. When you are emancipated and not longer under her authority... you go where ever you want. You are free to develop your spiritutality on your own time... and perhaps she will permit you to attend other denomination youth groups. However, taking the advice given previously to ignore or rebel against your mothers authority is unbiblical and against the counsel of God... you will reap consequences for it.
 
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Ndwhitney

Guest
#9
#9
According to the Bible and honoring your parents you skulls go to church with your mom for now. You are not an adult, when you are you should make your own decisions and not let anyone manipulate you other wise. It would be different if your mother served a different god, or wanted you to do something immoral, or didn't go to church at all, you can still worship God in a catholic church and you can still have a personal relationship with him that is less legalistic and strict if you so desire. Catholics may not have all the correct doctrine (who does?) But they are Christian, they do serve our Lord, therefore, ours merely a matter of preference for you not a matter of religion (its essentially the same religion just its own denomination), therefore the best way to honor God right more is to honor your mother and go to church with her. I would agree with what someone else suggested, maybe she will let you join a youth group from another church of your choosing. But either way, what church you go to is not as important as long as you are serving God.
 
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Ndwhitney

Guest
#10
#10
P.s. Sorry for the random errors, stupid auto correct on my phone lol just use context clues, I think you get the gist :p
 
L

Lucy68

Senior Member
#11
Jan 21, 2011
2,538
22
0
#11
Yes, it is important to honor your mom which you are doing. Yet, she also needs to honor your right to choose how to worship. Maybe you can go with her to the Catholic church occasionally and ease her into the change.

Try not let her using guilt for manipulation cause you to resent her...that is Satan trying to come between you. Just calmly and logically explain your reasoning and tell her you love her and respect her choice but you would like to choose differently. If handled gently and respectfully, you can attend a church of your choice and maintain a good relationship with your mom at the same time. Yes, battling cancer is hard but that doesn't mean that it's alright to use it for manipulation.

Praying for you both that the Spirit will lead in this situation with love, wisdom, and honesty.
 
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