My family are christian, quite devout. They got to church and attend almost every church event that they can. I respect their beliefs, and I’d think that similarly they would do so for me. But, nope, every week or so I’ve got my mother slipping in the fact I need to go to church more often amongst our conversaitions. I’ve been telling them that I don’t care for the church, as polite as that, but they ignore it. It drives me insane, because they’re not happy that I’m not as pious or holy as them.
Go far, far away. Somewhere you don’t have access to phone lines, internet or even mail. Then your mother will not be able to tell you you don’t go to church enough. And as a bonus, you won’t be here.
Learn to deal. I suspect it’s merely that they love you and want what they believe is best for you. It’s entirely possibly that they are genuinely concerned about the state of your soul.
For the first 16 years of my life I went to church every week (christian - united). At 16, I changed my religion with the full support of my parents (which I suppose makes my situation slightly different).
By this time, the community had come to expect me in church, and my mother (who considering she goes to church every week is strangely not a christian) seems to care what the community thinks so she pleaded with me to keep going to church. We eventually came to an agreement of once per month while I still lived at home.
So I guess what I’m saying is, if it keeps your family happy and you can afford the time, why not placate them and go to church once in a while. You don’t have to believe it after all. In my experience, getting people to change their minds about religion is next to impossible so you may never get them to accept that you aren’t christian.
or
You can go and make enough snide remarks that they insist you never go again. It worked for a friend of mine.
Your mother would be happiest if you were happiest going to church. You must convince her that you know this is so, but unfortunately you are happiest in the thought that:
You are a pattern of ever-changing atoms which somehow has the ability to think. Nothing like you existed for 12 billion years. You are borne of supernovae, you are Made of Stars. Every piece of sensory input you receive has an inexplicable quantum effect on the universe - you are the universe’s way of observing itself. Your life is a wonder; you will live your life in wonder.
Go buy a copy of the Satanic Verses and leave it where your mom will find it. When she asks if it’s yours, say no. When she says, “Well, who does it belong to?” drop your voice as demonically deep as you can and say, “MINE!”
Mum: Isn’t a rotten tomato made of the same stuff? Now, put away your computer, Nhibi, and stop making things up. As soon as you turn 30 next month, you need to get a job and look for an apartment, 'mkay?
My mom is the same way- actually it’s a bit worse as my daughter is not baptized (she tried to go around LilMiss’s dad and I and have her baptized without our knowledge- luckily the pastor contacted me). LilMiss is quite involved in their church, and I have no problem taking her there. I will participate as long as I don’t have to be involved. My mom asked what kind of example am I setting for LilMiss- one free of hypocracy and the ability to stand up for what believes in (or not).
So we made a truce. I will go to service. I will not go to communion. I will not bow my head. Basically I am a bump on a pew, doing the stand/sit with everyone else, but that’s about it. My mom doesn’t pretend to understand why I no longer hold to her beliefs, and I no longer prentend to be the good little Lutheran child.
If you tell her that you do not believe as she does, what’s she going to do? Remind her it’s not her place to judge you.
