Changing religions...

[Devidramon]

I think Panny-chan's parents are afraid.

Thing about Wicca is this: I've heard many rather unpleasant stories from people who were in it. These are from people that I trust (and I *don't* trust easily. Ask anyone who knows me, I'm pretty paranoid.) and know not to be liars or given to accepting things out of hand. One girl who used to be into it... she scares me sometimes, with the way she looks at me. She knows I'm there the moment I look at her and think about her, even if I'm far away. If she's talking to me and my attention wanders, even for a second, she knows. She has taken up permanent residence in the Outer Limits. This isn't hearsay, I've seen it with my own eyes. And she has told me of a few of her experiences, and how she sometimes still has awful nightmares. When she talks about it, she seems haunted by it in such a way that I can almost feel. If it scares someone like her that badly, then it's something the rest of us have no business touching. Devil or no devil, there's something there that you want no part of. Whatever you believe or don't believe, no matter what confusion you have, read my lips: Don't touch Wicca. Period. Please.

Meanwhile, the only Christian horror stories I've heard are about people who mistreat others in ways that involve their belief. Not God's doing, but man's.

Panny-chan, once again, I'd like to say that it's not God's fault or the fault of all Christians. Sometimes human beings mess up. Please don't let what you're going through because of them influence what you believe. Just as all drivers aren't like the one who flips you off, all Christians aren't like the ones who'd make you miserable because you're not exactly as they are. Genkai's a Christian and is supportive of you, so am I (or I try to be, anyway.) So were most people in this topic, and there are a lot of Christians here. And, as my screenname indicates, I'm a Digimon fan. Digimon stars Japanese people who probably aren't even remotely Christian. I don't like Witchblade, but because I didn't think it was that good a show. I love Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, Psi Factor, and quite a few other paranormal shows. I even know who does the Outer Limits sinister narration voice: Kevin Conway, aka Kahless from Trek. Still Christian, and I still watch those shows with a clear conscience. Heck, my screen name means Devil Dragon Monster, and I'm still a pretty nice guy. Please, don't judge all of us, let alone God, by two people's intolerance and fear. Give Christianity a chance, but on your terms and not your parents.'

And you're almost out from under your parents' roof, anyway. You'll be free soon. Just count the months. Soon, you'll be in college, with computer labs where they don't care what boards you're on, TVs where they don't care what you watch.

[Guest cloricus]

James, personal reasons.

[marbar]

That is terrible, Panny.
Both my parents are devout, practising Christians and they forced Christianity onto my two brothers and I. We each slowly lost our childish belief (childish as in 'believe anything adult tells you) but instead of sitting down and telling our parents, we kind of 'weened ourselves off religion'. First we made up excuses to not go to church (turning alarm clock off) then gradually just stopped going. Now all my friends know i'm atheist but it still gets hard when teachers try to force you to take Eucharist at school (I go to a Catholic school)
Good luck. Hope it all works out!

[Guest cloricus]

Marbarm all of your friends are atheist any way.
And you should think yourself lucky, you don't have bolt watching over your shoulder.

[Sandy]

Mmm, big problem...Just remember that whatever our religion is, we're still people, and individuals, and it is really absurd to think that a single religion makes people to think likely.

Just think about the situation in Ireland, or the suicide-cults, or the new-nazis: they all think they're doing it for a greater purpose, but all they do is kill people. Okay, these might be a bit harsh samples, but basically they show that the end DOESN'T justify the means.

So believing in bible or God doesn't make ANYBODY a more better person than somebody who doesn't. That's what your parents should learn too, Panny. And I'm really sorry to hear about their reactions...:( I wish all my best to you that your situation will be solved. I believe that your parents have nothing to say what you can believe in -nobody does.

Oh boy, world is a hard place to live in...