|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:19 am
|
|
|
|
Okay, so I'm not even sure if my step-dad is either joking or if he's being serious, but in some impromptu moments, he'll have us say grace at the dinner table.
He's not even that religious in the first place (I believe he's actually Lutheran?) and my mom was raised Catholic (she's not all too religious either, but she would like to start going back to church every now and then), and then there leaves me, the atheist of my whole entire family. When he brings up grace, it's sometimes for the fact that he has this organization for a client that is like Christians for Israel or something like that. So he'll have us hold hands and then me saying:
"Can I excuse myself from this?" and then he'll tell me no and just to hold my mom's hand, then have my mom say grace and me not closing my eyes and saying nothing.
There's also my grandparents from my mom and stepdad's side that are religious, not so much for the stepdad's side, but my grandparents on my mom's side...let's just say that my grandpa was planning on becoming a monk or a priest at one point. I have nuns in my family. But I got older, I noticed them not saying grace at the table either. BUT in the case of anything that has to do with religion, how may I politely excuse myself from participation? Or if there's no choice, must I be respectful and do so? I just kind of wonder if they realize I am atheist, or if they think I'm going through some sort of a phase? It's rediculous and I'm not entirely sure of what to do. Sorry if I rambled at some points, it's how I type sometimes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 1:07 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 2:49 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:40 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:34 am
|
|
|
|
I have to agree with AnonymouZ's point, excepting the inappropriate use of the word 'gay.' Both my brother and I atheist in a family of Christians. Whenever our parents feel the urge to talk to their God at the table, we just sit and wait for them to finish before eating. We don't hold hands or anything at our house, so not saying grace is as simple as being silent. They don't make a big deal of it, and neither do we.
However, when with their Christian friends from church who are much more into grace, things are different. My parents friends make us all hold hands and sing grace. Yes. Sing grace. My parents get really mad if we don't comply. I end up just sitting there with people holding my hands, while I stare at my food, not singing.
It's been awhile since that's happened, but I think now I would have the strength to refuse. I know it's hard, but it comes down to what you want more, to please your parents, or be true to your belief, or non-belief. If it's not worth the fight, just go along with it. But if it really bothers you, no, you don't have to be polite. They should not force a religion on you. Let them say grace, but you don't have to. I like to be honest. To me, it seems dishonest to participate in any religious activity to a god you don't believe in. I guess what I'm trying to say with this now wall of text, is choose your battles, but don't be afraid. You don't have to do any religious ceremony if you don't want to. I would politely decline, but be firm. Good luck with that. Things really improve once you leave home.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 12:46 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:04 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 2:54 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:17 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 3:35 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 3:56 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 2:48 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 6:02 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:31 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 5:38 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|