Buddha is my Homeboy

[chobit]

For 14 years of my life I have been a Christian.I go to church every Sunday.I go to kids group when I can't get out of it.I go to Christian camps.I pray every night.

And I hate it.

So 3 months ago,I dropped it.I didnt go to kids group.I didn't pray.I didn't go to the camp.Slowly,I shunned every thing I used to do.I still went to church,because I hadn't told anyone.'

2 months ago I became a Buddhist.It made more sense to me then anything the 14 years of sunday school ever did.I still didn't tell anyone,so I continued to go to church,but would not pay any attention.

This month I told my mom I wanted to become a true Buddhist,and that if she would drive me up to the temple until I was old enough to do it myself.She ignored that.In fact she ignored everything saying only,"That I would be Christian until I was out of the house."

It bothers me that she won't accept me becoming something different.I have tried it her way for 14 years,and now,I'll I want is a chance to try it my way.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make her listen to me?

((Oh an no offense to any Christian people,it just didn't work for me,I hope it works for you.))

[Shiro_Ryuu]

Hey there, welcome to the path of the Buddha. Nice to meet a fellow Buddhist. I too was once a Christian and didn't like it. I left it when I was 12 and I now walk the path of the Buddha. Well as far as I'm concerned about going to the temple instead of church, I just hope she changes one day. You never know because as you get older, parents do that. I hate to say this but you might have to wait until you are older. Sux that your parents are forcing you to be a Christian.

[DeathBug]

[color=indigo][size=1][font=comic sans ms]As a Christian, I can't let you leave my faith thinking we're all a bunch of jerks. ^^;

Anyway, the thing about your mom is, if she's a Christian, she's more than likely taking the (flawed) view that, if you're not a Christian, you're going to Hell. I don't think my God would really be that petty. ("Sorry, Mr. Ghandi, but we have to damn you now.") And, the problem, with that is, you can't convince her otherwise, for two reasons: she's not going to think that you're smarter than her, and, after all, you did decide to leave the faith, so it's not like your interpretation of Christianity is uber-valid.

So, what should you do? Humor her. Don't try to force her hand in anything. Perform all of your religious activities in a non-obtrusive way, and don't don't *don't* speak poorly of her religion.

More than likely, she thinks this is just a phase, and that you're not really that serious. If you can show that you are, but also be respectful, she'll more than likely come around.

I'd considered recommending that you talk to your former minister for advice, but since this is the church that left you feeling spieritually empty for so many years, I don't really think s/he'd be any help.

i hope you find fulfillment in your new faith. ^__^[/color][/size][/font]

[Delta]

[COLOR=DarkRed][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1]
They say that a long long time ago, people weren't baptized into Christianity until they were old enough to know what it's actually about! I think the practice started in the Dark Ages, when children died at infancy and people thought that those who die unbaptized will not go to Heaven.
We should really thank them people from the Dark Ages for screwing up Christianism. :D

Just don't do anything rash because she might think that your recent deviation from her rules has caused your attitude to turn foul. Tell her, or better yet, [i]show[/i] her that you're still the same old you, only happier and wiser.

I believe religion is just a guide towards the attainment of spiritual bliss. Never mind if you have chosen a different guide, what realy counts is the strength of your faith.

Love and Peace! :love2:
(did I make sense? o_O)
[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]

[Hevn]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][SIZE=1][B]Your avatar just proved that you are a lousy Christian, lol. *is sarcastic*

Anyway, you are truly in a difficult situation. Moving from one religion to another (when you're 14) is like going from straight to gay. Both are not easy to deal with when family should be considered.

I, for one, am torn between two religions. My mother is a Born Again Christian and my dad is Catholic. I grew up attending two churches every Sunday and have spent 20 years of my life deciding which religion I will choose... while the two parties endlessly strive to get me to their side.

I'm assuming that your faith in Christianity is weak that's why this thing happened. Now if you believe that your faith in Buddhism is that strong already, then by all means you should do whatever it takes to freely exercise that faith in your home. Mind you, relationships might be sacrificed. When your mother said that you'll be a Christian until you're out of the house, she means it. And it will take several heated arguments before everything is in order. It's up to you to wait until you get out of the house or fight for what you believe in.

eternity was right; religion is just a guide towards spiritual bliss. What's important is how strong your faith is. It took me 20 years studying two religions and I preferred belonging to neither of the two but I still believe and have faith in God (never told my parents yet coz I'm afraid of confrontations ^_^;). You've been Buddhist for two months (were you baptized without your parent's consent?), and there is a possibility that you'll be in another religion someday. Now you're just 14. The age where adolescents start to build their own identity and identify what they want. I suggest that you carefully know what you're getting into first.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[PNK]

First off, Christianity itself is not a bad religion at all if you follow the ideas and not the text.

Basically The Bible is a staple in Christianity and should be abandoned to see the pure ideas of Jesus and what he tried to get across to us. However too little Christians are this way. Your mother has likely been raised strictly on her beliefs and it will not be easy to persuade her otherwise.

She is also likely worried for your safety because according to traditional Christian belief you will go to hell and burn in eternal damnation. I also sympathize with heVn's stance in that you are just 14 and you should try different religions before you come to a stop on one. I would recommend Taoism and possibly different sects of Buddhism like Zen.

Also if your mother insists on you going to church do not partake in the activities but as a gift to your mother I would say you should go. Because she held you in her for 9 months, puked half the time, and then, well, you know. It hurt like hell because my sister just had a baby andI was sitting outside the room and I could hear the screams.

And don't try Satanism. I did and it's just a childish way of getting back at the founder's Christian parents.

But I would suggest quietly believing in what you believe and always respect other people and their religions because that's the only way Peace will ever come.

:D

Edit: And freely exercise your beliefs just dont advertise them.

[Hevn]

[quote name='PNK']I also sympathize with heVn's stance in that you are just 14 and you should try different religions before you come to a stop on one.[/quote]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=RoyalBlue][B]Lol. I would just like to clear a thing.

I never said you should try different religions. Forgive me if I'm wrong, PNK, but I assume that 'try' means going from one religion to the next. Maybe the more appropriate word should've been 'to study' other religions.

Yes, study other religions first before you settle for the one that will help you develop your spiritual life.[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]

[Guest Heezay]

Remember. All is One Big Joke.

Enlighten yourself, young grasshopper, in the spiritual path of the Buddha. Close your eyes and meditate. Remember, existence is hysterical, brother. Amen.

[RioLaskand]

I commend you on having the guts to tell your mom and other people about your religion. I did a similar thing, and my parents raised flaming hell about it. Not pretty. But I would say just ease into things, unlike most folks choose to do. That is usually where the conflict comes from, and when all else fails, just realize that you will be free eventually, and when you turn 18, it's your life.

Good Luck! :)

[Guest Midnight Rush]

First off, I'm sorry that you didn't find what you were looking for in Christ. I wish you luck in your endeavors with other religions, and that you might return to Jesus someday in the future.

Secondly, Buddhism was my second choice. Christianity is great/amazing/wonderful to me, but before I accepted Christ, I told myself that if I wasn't satisfied I'd go Zen. I do advise you, however, to talk with your youth pastor before becoming a Buddhist. I'm not trying to dissuade you, but it would be good if you would lay out your concerns, and what made you leave Christianity. Changing religion is a big deal, so really think about it before you commit your life to something.

I think your mom is probably thinking that its just a phase, and that it will pass if its not encouraged. If you are going to become a Buddhist, there is little she can do to stop you, however I'd again advise sitting down with her and talking it over. Maybe you just missed something big, or are being treated unfairly.

Just be very careful with what you do,

Godbless,

Patrick Beam

TO PNK-

You obviously know nothing about Protestant Christianity. What you posted is a load of ********. The fundamental principle of Christianity is that the Word of God, the Bible, is absolute truth. The "ideas" as you call them are nothing without Biblical support. I don't want to turn this into a debate thread, but I can't have you posting innaccuracies about my beliefs.

The Fundamental Principles of Protestant Christianity from a Grace Brethren Doctrine Perspective:

1. The Bible (66 Books, no apochrypha) is 100% true.

2. God is pure and perfect.

3. God made man, and man sinned, thus becoming seperated from God.

4. All sin is forgiven through blood sacrifice.

5. God loved man, but to bridge the gap, had to send His Son, Jesus Christ to Earth.

6. Christ died, paying the ultimate sacrifice, and cleansing all sin away from those who believe in Him.

7. Christ rose again.

8. To be cleansed of sin and be destined for eternity (after death) with Jesus Christ, you must accept Him. This is more than saying to yourself, "Jesus is real...yadayada yada ect. This is praying, "Jesus, I have sinned, I'm truly sorry, you've paid the price for my sin, please come and wash me clean."

That is the most basic outline of Protestant Christianity. If those 8 Points are not the pillars of your beliefs, you are no more a Christian than Napoleon was Chinese. You are a sect, which is kinda sad considering the history of sects.

3rd and final edit=

Buddhists, Moslems, Christians, Hindu-ists, Jews, ect. will all tell you that their way, and their way alone is the true path to heaven. That line about all religions being a path to spiritual bliss is not only pathetically sophistic, it is complete and utter nonsense.

Ask Jerry Faulwell.

Ask the Pope.

Ask the Imam.

Ask the Dali Lama.

Ask the Hindu lord dude.

ect.

[PNK]

And just to clear up a few things.

heVn- That's what I was meaning to say and I apologize for speaking for you.

Rush: Thank you for the rules.

And the idea's do have biblical support and thank you for pointing out my contradiction. And people dont have to conform to those beliefs to be called a Christian.