How do I tell my mom that I am not Christian?

Question

I have actually recently found a label for my religion (druidism). I am 15 and I actually established my personal beliefs years ago. I feel like a disappointment to my parents already because I'm bisexual but I don't feel right hiding my life from them.

I believe in reincarnation and I love life and cherish it and seek to actually practice my religion without the worries of being caught. I even felt the need to send my necklace that I ordered online to my friends house.

So how do I explain this to her without upsetting her too much? And its not like druidism is bad....

PS I am not a parent but I need advice from parents. Thankyou.

Answer 1

You are 15. You are allowed to ask your parents questions.

Ask your parents about their faith. How did they decide to become Christian? Or is it because they were born in a Christian family?

If they decided to become Christian, ask them how or why, the process. You already have an example that the parents can relate to.

If they were born in a Christian family, ask them how things would have gone if they were born in a family that followed another faith. Would they automatically have become a member of that faith?

Then ask them if they know of anybody who changed their mind about their faith, in the close family, distant family, family friends, acquaintance. Ask them how they feel about people changing their faith.

Leave it at that for now. You need to know how they would react if and when you react.

Do you support yourself financially? Do you live with your parents? Depending on your assessment of how they will react, you might want to wait till you reach a more independent stage in life if you are currently dependent on them.

Answer 2

Given the title of your post, I will assume that your mother is a Christian, but without knowing how religious your mother is (or even what particular denomination she participates in), gauging her response for those of us online is going to be difficult.

However you choose to tell your mom of your differing religious beliefs, I do think there are things you should probably prepare yourself for:

1. Given your age, there is a strong possibility that your mom won't take you seriously. She might just consider it a phase you're going through. This will probably be very frustrating for you.
2. She might be angry with you. I think this is less likely, but it's always in the realm of possibilities.
3. If your mom does take you seriously, she is very likely to be upset. You have to remember, to a Christian, turning from God is a matter of your mortal soul. Some of this depends on which denomination your mom practices her Christianity through or even her own personal beliefs (which don't always agree with one's personal church).

If your mom is a practicing Christian, then she's probably attempted to raise you as a Christian as well. Religion and one's relationship with God (or whoever) is a personal thing. Most people I know went through a period in their lives where they were trying out different religions and different beliefs, usually between the ages of 15-20. Most of those people I know were Christian, and the vast majority ultimately returned to Christianity, though usually not the denomination in which they were raised. A few I know converted to different religions altogether. For some it was a true search, for others it was merely a form of rebellion.

Since it seems like you have gone to great lengths up to this point to conceal your exploration of other beliefs from your mom, simply announcing to her that you are rejecting Christianity might come as a bit of a shock to her, and might cause her reaction to be a bit more extreme. It might help if you start the ball rolling by telling her initially that you are exploring other religious ideas and beliefs outside of Christianity, and leave it at that. If she asks for specifics then you can give her specifics, but I would leave the first conversation as simply a way to let her know that you are looking. If, in a few years, you've decided that you are leaving Christianity behind altogether, then your exit from the church won't come as a big shock to her. She may not like it, but she won't be surprised by it either.

On the other hand, in a few years, you may circle back around to Christianity or find a denomination of Christianity that respects the Earth and its creations more than the denomination you've been raised in, and in which you feel more comfortable.

In the meantime, if she attends church on a regular basis then you may be required to go with her. This is between you and her, and the two of you will need to work that out together. I know many parents who live by the "As long as you live under my roof, you will attend church" rule. I know just as many who don't. I stopped attending church when I was 17 and my parents never said a thing about it.

Anyway, I hope some of this helps. It seems from your post that you want to be able to express yourself more freely religiously, but you don't want to sacrifice your relationship with your mom in order to do that. Introducing the idea slowly might put her more at ease.

Answer 3

I'm a sixteen-year-old druid, and I had to go through this, as well. I actually haven't told my parents that I am a druid, but what I told them was that I didn't want to be a confirmed christian. My mother freaked out, and is constantly trying to convert me. Whether you tell them directly that you are a druid or just that you aren't a christian, stick to your beliefs. Don't let them think they are convincing you otherwise, just to make things easier, because they will just be encouraged and keep it up. If you stay true to what you really believe, they will, eventually and hopefully, see that you are serious, and that you have made your decision.

Remember that. It is your decision, not theirs. No matter what they tell you, they cannot change what is in your heart. My friend (also a druid) was forced to get confirmed. That doesn't mean she's a christian. Ceremonies and other peoples' statements don't define your beliefs - you do.

Answer 4

Just say you are a Druid. Say it seriously. Don't tell her like it is a big deal. Just say it matter-of-factly when she or some other person assumes wrongly. I know how it feels like when religion gets assumed as a family trait. If you explain your religion to anyone, don't say it like it is a big deal. Wikipedia page says your religion focuses on nature, so just say my religion involves respecting nature or something more; after all you know it more than I do.

If you want to be taken seriously, then you won't want to convert people or explain them unnecessarily.

If your mother still asks you to follow rituals of Christianity, let it not be a clash of egos or religions; she expected you to be this way. There are numerous innocuous rituals that are performed and that reflect our society more than any single religion. Keep it in mind. If there is something about Christianity that puts you off, you can already say not to be forced into it. There is good and bad. You can choose any part of any religion to follow since there is no particular guide to follow.

Keep in mind that religions don't make us; we make them. So you can be Christian and Druid at the same time. I am neither really and am agnostic. Yet it means that to have a Hindu mother in India means to visit temples when you are expected to. One has to pick their battles!

Answer 5

So how do I explain this to her without upsetting her too much?

This is related to saying something like...

I have something to tell you. Promise you won't get mad.

The answer is "you can't" because you aren't in control of if or how upset she gets.

All you can do is express that it's important that she respect your beliefs and that she and her opinions are important to you as well. . . and hope that she doesn't lose her mind.

Answer 6

You need to be bold. I think you should straight out tell them. It's your decision, not theirs. If they take it badly, there's nothing you can do about it. Don't feel pressured to follow what they believe in, they may have had similar arguments with their parents when they younger, about different things. Don't let them tell that it is completely different, it's not. The exact same thing is happening at a different time, with different people, and a slightly different point. But the outcome is usually the same, and that's what you need to change. You should still respect their religion though, treat them the way you would like to be treated. If they take it well, be happy, celebrate. You don't have to worry about it anymore. Just always remind them that everyone is different, and always stand up for yourself. You have the same rights as them. About the bi thing, I am too, and it can be hard coming out, I know. But like I said, everyone is different, they should be happy for you, that you can be your true self. That you are able to be brave and stand up for who you are. They should be happy that their child has the courage that not everyone has, and is self-confident. I think it is an achievement in its own right that you were brave enough to come out.

Answer 7

So how do I explain this to her without upsetting her too much?

I would say "Mom, I'm not a Christian. I just wanted to be honest with you."

Will they still be upset? Maybe. But that's on them, not you. If this is something that will upset them, then it probably doesn't matter how you tell them.

Good luck.

Answer 8

I would suggest quietly practicing your religion for a while and seeing where it gets you. You may find the people you meet in person or online are just as hypocritical as those you are trying to avoid.

In Christianity, "all are welcome." Catholocism, for instance, promotes a strong environmental advocacy and places charity, hope, and love at the top of its hierarchy. Although homosexual acts are considered a "grave" sin, all sins may be forgiven through Confession. This is just an example of how your belief system might not be incompatible with Christianity. Furthermore, while 20% of the American population report some degree of same-sex attraction at puberty, that number is cut in half by 25, and only 2% will live a homosexual lifestyle long term. And for the occasional threesome is what Confession is for. [I'm being glib; my point is when it comes time for you to start a family, there is an extremely high likelihood you'll want to be in a heterosexual, monogamous relationship.]

The teenage and young-adult years are for experimenting. Does your mom know about all the other things you may have experimented with? Are you planning on going to college? Unless you're "caught in the act" you might simply make it something "off the record" with her, similar to things like masturbation and marijuana. (Now some teens keep their parents in the loop about everything, but if this is your case, you probably wouldn't be asking.)

If and when it becomes obvious your lifesryle/faith are Druidic, I'll just throw a number out and say five more years, then you will be far more mature about the whole ordeal. It would definitely help to match it with something like straight As for a term.

Answer 9

Well as far as I know in most countries every person is allowed to believe whatever he/she wants.

You dont need to tell to your mother with a specific manner you are a druid.

If she cant cope with it , thats her issue not yours and you have the law at your side.

Not being able to accept another persons beliefs is racistic at least and illegal most of the times.

Also if the a person is not open minded then you shouldnt make a relationship with him/her.