My parents are trying to force me to go to church. Is there a law against this?

Manny

As a minor, you will have to do many things your parents want you to do that you do not want to do. It'll make you a stronger person in the future.

Stuart

There actually IS a law that addresses this very issue: it's called "incorrigible child", and if found guilty, the juvenile court can punish you.

You are required to obey your parents until you become an adult. You don't have to become a Christian to hang out at church occasionally. You do have to behave, however.

sway_ii

You cannot be "forced" to believe something that you don't. Just going to church to show support for your sister is not going to turn you into what you call a "christian conformist". Gte over it and realize your family loves you.

fr_chuck

Yes they can make you go, you are a minor and have to do what your parents say.

nicolasraage

So at the wise old age of 13 you have determined there is no God?

You are a minor. Go to church and behave yourself. Noone is forcing you to believe anything, but they can force you to be there.

Ask your parents if they would like me to slap some Jesus into you

Sharon H

Sorry, but as long as you are a minor (under the age of 18) and live in your parents home, you MUST obey them. If you lived in your own home, you would be able to live by your own rules.

DebiDel

Get over yourself and go support your sister. What a selfish brat you are.

Pia

You may stay an atheist (I am one myself), but don't turn into one with no class. Atheists are rational, you know?

Have the courtesy to respect your parents, and go see your sister. Your family comes before the church anyway. You need them. You need to develop teh skills to even live with those who are different.

I still go to friends, and relatives baptisms, wakes, etc. I do not impose my beliefs on people, and accept how everyone feels about spirituality.

CHEVICK_1776

Check back when youre 18. As long as they pay the bills, and you are not emancipated, you need to do as they say.

It is not child abuse, it is not a crime and if you know what you know and are firm in your beliefs (or absence thereof) you should have nothing to fear.

They call me ... Trixie.

No, it's not against the law. Can't you go just the once for your sister? I don't think they'll be able to 'conform' you in just one visit.

same as above

Hey kid, listen up! You are entitled to your own religious views but not until you are 18 years old. You must obey your parents!

sonyack

Atheists are not usually so hard-nosed that they avoid family functions that happen to be part of a church thing - of course they go to weddings and funerals and going to see your sister inducted into the choir is really just a family thing, not a worship thing. You will have to get used to attending religious events such as this - for you it is just an induction ceremony, not a case of 'forced worship,' just like a wedding or funeral. Be nice to your family, learn to live with it - you don't have to participate in the worship service, just be there and be polite, and show your folks that you can be an atheist and not also be a pain....

gummybear1772

It's not against the law - you're just a kid... I'm sure you don't believe in taking out the trash or mowing the lawn either but you do it because your parents tell you that you have to.
If you don't agree with the opinions expressed in your parents church that's fine but if your mom/dad says you have to go and support your sister then you have to go.

lindakflowers

Dear bw112792:

You are 13 years old. And without your parents you would not be alive. They feed you, they make your bed, they provide you with the best they can 24-7. Is two hours (max) a week too much to give back for the next 5 years? I personally think your question pertains to "honor" and "respect" regardless of what your parents are trying to make you.

It also may help you to understand that at 13 years of age, the hormones can be raging and a child is trying to grow up. Many mistakes can be made during the transition from childhood into adulthood. It will take another 5 years minimum to achieve this transition. During this transition time, life-long decisions are being made. Sit down and think about your attitude. Think about who you hope to be someday. Will you be proud or ashamed of the way in which you cared for your parents.

At your age the neatest gift you can give your parents is the gift of obedience. It determines your character and what kind of person you are and will become. I hope you'll stand tall, be the person you were meant to be.

livlafluv

You can always report them for abuse, get taken in by the courts and go to juvenile hall or a foster home where no one will care about what you think, GROW UP! Stop being a BRAT!

pkdepp

Your pathetic.........
Respect your parents whether your Christian or not.

snvffy

You're a real prize of a child !! Just go to church like your parents want and then gloat later about your atheist conformist life.

nope, no law against that until your over 18, i think. and you should support your sister, geez.

Bleah

My advice is to go for a while. Learn what they believe, and if you don't agree with it, question your parents about it. If there is enough questions they can't or won't answer, it won't last long. On the other hand, it's a great opportunity for you to learn about yourself and life. Will your current beliefs become set in stone, or can they change your mind?

notyou311

What a nasty, self absorbed kid you are. Your parents provide food, shelter and much more for you. The least you can do is go to this ceremony and act civil about it. They have done alot for you that they didn't have to do. And stow the attitude for once.

Mr. PhD

No Shane, it is not illegal. Now get your *** to church before your mother kicks your butt again. You don't even know what an atheist is.

firewomen

Wow.... you hate everyone. Are you the definition of Atheist? Some one so hardheaded and op onioned she can make no concessions to show respect for her parents or sister?

stephaniemariewalksonwater

You are still a minor and as such you will do as your parents direct. Unless you feel you are mature enough to take on the responsibility of housing clothing feeding and emotionally nurturing yourself you will march butt into that church.
You should go to support your sister and stop being a whiny brat. Be thankful you have parents who want anything to do with you. They are probably trying make you go so they can keep an eye on you. So just go and pretend to enjoy it, its much easier.
Pick your battles kid.

Citycop

Im a cop and guess what you have to do what your parents tell you. Stop being a selfish brat and support your sis. And what in the **** made you decide to change your religion at age 13.. Most decent children just go to church with their parents and they behave and listen to whatever type of service they're attending. I really can't believe you.

worldwise1

Your parents are simply trying to nourish your soul(which you seem to be greatly in need of). You're a kid and your parents are responsible for bringing you up in the best way possible. They probably don't want to one day end up being famous for raising a serious sociopath. What does a 13-year old know about being an athiest anyway? It's all a result of our over-permissive society, sadly.

David D

seriously, go for it as a family thing. if you are strong about being an atheist, then you would go and not get changed at all! i don't know if there is any law against this but come on, this is for your sister!

txhypnotist

You are a selfish person. You are only thinking of yourself and no one else.

Everyone who I saw get shot in the chest who claimed tobe an Atheist, always without fail said these words just before he died. "Oh God".

War is said to be hell, but calling yourself an Atheist is the same as saying nothing out loud.

knappylocsdiva

No ,there is no such law but as long as your only 13 you should try to do the things that your parents ask of you.
You should want to go and support your sister.
The ultimate choice is up to you to serve or not to serve God.

You have to go if they go. They can reason they can't leave you alone at home and then religion would have nothing to do with it.

Best wishes,

pup

yea

Honey, I'm an 18-yr-old Athiest and my dad still forces me to go to church every Sunday. I hate it because a lot of the stuff they say really offends me but I will be kicked out of the house if I don't go.

So, what can you do? You can sit and be respectful but you don't got to pray or say 'Amen' or any of that. If your parents try to make you, tell them that this would be blasphemy which is a sin.

EDMUND

no parents cant force you to go its your own belive so what they christian does that make you a christian too you can go there like me but dun belive hahaha fuk church lk ?

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