What should I do?

[xx mdv xx]

If your mom is going to force you to do things just accept getting confirmed, because to you getting confirmed or not getting confirmed doesn't make a difference because you believe there is no god. So after reading your story I think your best shot is to pretend you accept the faith.

 

[K-3-V-1-N]

I don't understand why you agree to go to the "classes" if you think what they're preaching about God isn't true? All you're doing is prolonging a larger argument. Do you know why she wants you to have confirmation? Besides attempting to save your soul.

I go because I would be severely punished if I did. I wouldn't have to lie, but I'm debating if it would be worth it. My punishment, combined with my mother's anguish of not "saving my soul" isn't something I want to deal with. Yes, I know that she loves me, and she's only trying to help me, but she can't give me anything that I'm not willing to receive.

Repair your relationship with your parents... How you will do that is up to you. Your life will be much better if you do something now. :/

My relationship with my Father is nonexistent. I want to repair things with my family, but again, none of the option are looking too appealing at the moment.

He can't, because they're forcing him to do stuff like confirmation to try to reaffirm the faith in him.

She is. Again, my Father isn't in the picture.

Am I supposed to go up there (in a few weeks, mind you) and boldly lie that I accept my Mother's faith?

Lie. Best way to repair the relationship. Your parents are obviously not going to accept you the way you are. Keep your views to yourself, andf then once you move out, go worship the flying spaghetti monster >.>. But seriously, even after you turn 18 they'll still be on your back.

Was I right in saying anything to her? Should I have kept my silence and gone along with whatever she tells me, until I move out on my own?

I guess silence would have been the better option here. You should of not said anything, and then move out etc. etc.

How am I to deal with her from now on? Do I pacify her and tell her that I've found my faith again?

PACIFICATION. "You've found the error in your ways." "You've come to the conclusion the is a God." etc. etc.

Also, Hai Kevin.

I love you, b1b.

I have a next to exactly similar situation as you Kevin. I was also baptized as a Roman Catholic, and I was forced to sit through Wednesday- Jesus- school. I've debated the topic of religion with my mom many a times, and it usually gets ended by my mom getting overly emotional, yelling at me, etc.

But, I also am in the Boy Scouts, and one of the requirements to becoming an Eagle scout is to have faith in a God. Whether it be the Christian God, or Buddha, or even Ra the Sun God. Point is, we're supposed to have some sort of faith in something that has greater power and control than us on Earth. I completely disagree with organized religion and their corruption, the stories of miracles that happened thousands of years ago, and prodigies today that claim to be prophets of God.

What I decided, is that I am more or less agnostic. I am not positive there is no God, and I am also not positive there is a man in the clouds watching over us. I decided to believe in a higher power that can create such beauty as the Earth around us, and the infinite universe surrounding us. The strong emotions of love, happiness, and the connections we have with people are also almost magical in a way. I'm aware chemicals in our brain have a major part in it, but regardless, it doesn't hurt to at least think there is something greater out there.

Overall, my reply to your question would be this. Don't lie. If your mom can't accept your thoughts and opinions, then it isn't worth trying to talk to her about the subject. Saying, "I give up, I believe in God" is weak sauce. Be honest. But also don't make absolutes. If there is a remote chance of you believing in a God of some sort, then tell your mom that. Don't tell her you absolutely are not in agreement with the thought of God. Don't say you completely don't believe in anything, unless that is the case.

And also remember, you're a teenager, and depending on how your life goes, and your experiences, your views may change.

Yes, and I seriously don't want to label myself as anything now, but honestly I don't see any validity in any religion at the moment. Perhaps, in my later years, I'll find the reason why it has captured so many, but I seriously doubt it. I see no proof, and a great chuck of their views makes me sick to my stomach. So yeah, I'm not going to stick my head in the ground or anything like that, but I would like my mother to respect how I interpret life at the moment, and see things progress from a distance.


Thanks everyone for your advice. I have two major choices with this, and I'll have to make it myself. I need to think about it anymore. Thanks for laying things out for me.

 

[DropKick Murphys]

I haven't read any posts but the OPs so I might be repeating something, but:

I'm in nearly the same situation as you, except I haven't ever really believed in God. Even when I was younger I just always thought it seemed kind of strange.
I'm also being Confirmed later this year, in June I think. I just go to the classes, and either spend the hours texting, or just sort of reflecting/thinking. I've told my mother I think religion is ridiculous and she is fine with that, apparently she doesn't believe any of it either. My father on the other hand is pretty religious - makes us all go to Church on Sundays and whatnot. Not like fanatical, but whatever.
I don't say anything to him. I just don't see the gains outweighing the risks - he pays for my school, I have a nice life, and we have a decent relationship.
I'm just going to endure another 2 years of it until I go to college (16 now.) It isn't a huge deal, but getting up at 7:30 am on a Sunday sucks.

Don't necessarily tell your mother you believe it, but at the same time don't annoy her about it. Just hold on until your 18 and then you never have to deal with it again.


e: Viper, worship the sun with me. At least we can see it and it does something for us.

 

[Malachia]

i will never understand cults like this that read you fairy tales from a book and expect you to believe them because its called the bible.

I was waiting for this to happen.

Before you go to conclusions you should spend time with your priest, talk to him about your doubts, speak to people who have chosen your religion for their life-long vocation. I recommend going to www.catholic.com, post there about your doubts, and TRY to debate others arguments. If you want to believe, don't surround yourself with "village idiot" atheists. If your gonna be one at-least know why you should be one for sure.

Second; in the Catholic faith if your baptized Catholic, you are considered Catholic, no matter what you do in the eyes of the Church. If after doing those things, and you still don't believe, do not go to confirmation, spend another year soul-searching.

Third; to the person I quoted, I didn't insult you, this whole forum are not atheists, so don't be outwardly offensive, for the sake of hurting people.

Fourth; I'm praying that you turn around, research things, learn things, that's what life is about. At a young age you may reject God, but when your older, you might accept him. I really hope you turn around.

 

[Denode]

Oh how I would love to tell you to simply do your own thing, but until you are out of the house I understand that is nigh impossible. Unfortunately what you may have to do is conform to her wishes, and then when you no longer have dependency on her you may voice your opinion and beliefs. She can then no longer force you to go, ground you, or any such punishment.

I feel a knot growing in my throat as I type this... So sad that this goes on in society...