Can I go to a Protestant Service? - and Religious Freedom

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Thanks. I am not angry or mad at them. I am mad at myself, because I tried to explain these things to them with the Bible and using simple logic. Yet, they still think the are right. I’m simply exhausted and frustrated.
 
Thanks a lot. It inspired me to carry on. Muchas Gracias. 🙂
 
I came into the church when I was living at home, although I was older than 18. My parents were hostile to me going because they weren’t church people. They asked who brainwashed me, why do I need someone to tell me what to do. A bunch of stupid stuff. I didn’t drink or go to bars. They would have been more comfortable with that.

One think I learned lately is ‘how can I turn these barbs and arrows into marshmallows so they just bounce right off’. It takes effort to not respond with aggravation and annoyance. Think of it like an athlete who pushes through his training to be stronger and better than he is.

Some days it’s smarter not to poke the bear. lol
 
JoshuaHamm2004194 said:
I am mad at myself, because I tried to explain these things to them with the Bible and using simple logic. Yet, they still think the are right. I’m simply exhausted and frustrated.
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Don’t be mad at yourself! You did a great job when you explain it in a respectful way which I admit, I can’t do. Just keep up the good work.
 
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I’m glad it helped you. I have different struggles when it comes to faith. I know it can be hard. But God knows your heart.
 
JoshuaHamm2004194 said:
Some times.
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I’m very sorry to hear. That shouldn’t be happening - nobody should be physically harmed for their (genuinely held) beliefs. That’s what the Roman pagans did to us, and also ISIS.

I’m not in your position, so I can’t judge very well, but I think it’d be right to continue to insist (as politely as possible) that you don’t want to participate in their beliefs, because you genuinely believe differently - It’s absolutely not that you are trying to disrespect them or God, and I’d stress that.

God willing, they will see your genuineness and it will not lead to more physical confrontation. Often if one person remains calm in a discussion, the other will remain calm too. But if the physical confrontation does get worse, that’s a sign for alarm.
 
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ReaderT said:
I’m not in your position, so I can’t judge very well, but I think it’d be right to continue to insist (as politely as possible) that you don’t want to participate, because you genuinely feel differently about this issue - It’s absolutely not that you are trying to disrespect them or God, it’s just you view God somewhat differently.
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I have tried, and tried so many times, but they, quite frankly, they couldn’t care less.
ReaderT said:
God willing, they will see your genuineness and it will not lead to more physical confrontation. Often if one person remains calm in a discussion, the other will remain calm too.
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That’s what one normally expects.
ReaderT said:
But if the physical confrontation does get worse, that’s a sign for alarm.
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Yes. That is why I once even tried to run away from home. I ran to a Catholic school, to a convent, to another convent, but no one answered, or said there was no one who could help me. The only person who helped me out was a security guard from the school, who also was a Catholic convert since his teens. He said that the only thing I could do was pray, wait and hope for the best.
 
Also, I would like to hear any suggestions to what can be done from a legal perspective. I do not live in the US or Canada. I live in South America, and coincidentally, a very Catholic country.
 
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JoshuaHamm2004194 said:
Also, I would like to hear any suggestions to what can be done from a legal perspective. I do not live in the US or Canada. I live in South America, and coincidentally, a very Catholic country.
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Honestly the best person to ask will be a lawyer in your country. There are complicating factors: you are a minor living with your parents. Can they require you to go with them to their church? Maybe. Parents do have some rights. Can they force you to pray? Maybe not, but I don’t know the laws.

Depending on your age, it may also be possible to be emancipated from your parents (meaning you are independent before 18), but that is also a complicated legal process.
 
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JoshuaHamm2004194 said:
I try to. But my parents force me to pray out loud. And if I pray an ‘‘Our Father’’, it’s World War Three!
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I’m sorry I was going to read the whole thread before responding but I have to ask… what Protestant church doesn’t want you to pray the an “Our Father”?

if you already answered this I’ll delete this post.
 
JoshuaHamm2004194 said:
I am mad at myself, because I tried to explain these things to them with the Bible and using simple logic. Yet, they still think the are right.
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Hey Joshua, from someone who is probably at least 20 years older than you and going through somewhat of a similar experience with her husband: arguing does not do any good. Forget the apologetics for now, and don’t put it to them in terms of “I’m right, you’re wrong”. It will only lead to more arguing, more hurt feelings, and more confrontation.

Just say “Mom and Dad, this is what I deeply believe, I’m sorry it hurts you but I can’t change that. What doesn’t change is that I love you”, and leave it at that.

Be patient with them. Be obedient as long as you’re a minor. I know it’s hard, but see it as a sacrifice you offer up for their sake.
 
I know. It’s ridiculous. What’s more ironic, is that we prayed the ‘‘Our Father’’ in one of their church services a few weeks ago. And yet, they still see it as not being a ‘‘real’’ and ‘‘honest’’ prayer. Just vain repetition.
 
JoshuaHamm2004194 said:
So, my question is, is it a sin for me as a teen to go to my parents worship service, even when I’m forced to go, or is it okay considering my situation?
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No. Be obedient to your parents.

You are not a Catholic at this time, and not bound by Church laws on mass attendance. It is fine for you to go to the non Catholic service and to participate in it to the degree your parents require it.

DO NOT listen to anyone telling you to disobey your parents.
JoshuaHamm2004194 said:
the priest said that, since I have been baptized (and their is only one baptism), and I believe in the Apostle’s Creed (Everthing about Catholicism. Ex: Sacraments, Authority, etc.), an if I decide to become a Catholic, then I already am one.
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I think you misunderstood. There is a difference between being incorporated into the body of Christ through baptism, which you definitely have been, and being an actual member of the Catholic Church.

There is a process for that, that includes a profession of faith and a reception into the church plus the reception of the remaining sacraments of initiation— Confirmation and Eucharist.

You can become a Catholic after you reach the age of majority in your country. In most places that is 18.
JoshuaHamm2004194 said:
Exactly. But, that’s the problem. They FORCE me to take part in EVERYTHING of the service, including communion.
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I don’t think everyone who is answering you is grasping the fact that you are not yet a Catholic, you are a minor, and you are currently a protestant. They are addressing the question from the perspective of someone who is already a Catholic who is asking if they can also go to non-Catholic services. That is not the case here.
JoshuaHamm2004194 said:
Also, I would like to hear any suggestions to what can be done from a legal perspective.
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Giving legal advice on the forum is prohibited.
 
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I already tried talking with them, and I too have said that I love them and respect them, but I wouldn’t give up my faith, and they only got angrier at me for ''not being thankful for the divine instruction of God’s word" that I’m getting. I do whatever I can to avoid any type of confrontation, but at times, it seem as if they want to push me around, brain wash and force me into believing things that go against the faith.
 
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