Sadly, presumption is true…not only do they own you, but will actually TAKE UP RESIDENCE on you. :eek:
I have been away for a few days…I did not expect 5 pages worth of responses, I have read 2 of them and plan on going through all 5 so I can respond if I need to…thank you all for responding. PEACE
Well, I’d be the least upset if my hypothetical kids decided they wanted to go to church with my mom or my sisters. They’re all active in the Mormon church still, and while I decided the scene’s not for me, I also really enjoyed my time at Sunday School and Young Women’s, and even the sacrement meeting. I probably wouldn’t care too much. Though, if they started acting like my sister, I’d be annoyed…all self-righteous and naive.
If they somehow found other churches (either Protestant or Catholic), I’d probably be more annoyed and less encouraging, but I wouldn’t be angry. I know that church can provide a wonderful community and support system, and I know that not all religous people are bigoted/closed-minded/a pain in my ass. However, if my child is still a minor when they “find god”, I’d reserve the right to attend the services with them and make sure that what’s going on at the pulpit and in the community itself is something I’d approve of (that is, no gay-bashing, no telling girls their place is at a man’s feet, etc etc), and if it’s not, I’d reserve the right to forbid attending again. Just because they want to welcome Jesus to their heart doesn’t mean I have to tolerate them being indoctrinated and brainwashed with values/ethics/morals that I think are abhorant. Once they’re of age, I can’t do anything about that, of course.
However, if Hypothetical Child came to me and told me they believed in psychics, astrology, communicating with the dead, faith healers, Loch Ness, ghosts, telepathy, etc, I’d hit the fucking roof. I would be absolutely, mind-numbingly furious. I’d accept religion if necessary, but I would not tolerate Hypothetical Child getting duped into believing such utter horeshit, and I would be extremely disappointed in myself and HC, as well as confused about how/when things could go so wrong. (And I mean when they’re holder…all kids believe in ghosts–I was fascinated by stories–so if my 8 year old went through a supernatural/paranormal phase, no problem. But they should really outgrow that by puberty, and certainly should know better by the time they’re adults.)
Question 1= Pentecostal Type church
Question 2= 16 years old
I’m late with those answers I know, but I finally got around to reading the posts.