How to tell parents that I'm leaving my Islamic fate...?

[Siecle]

Well, I think you were actually quite belligerent about it, if this is a true recounting of the conversations, you seemed as though you were just waiting to be nasty to your father. You could have answered him with a lot more charity.

“No, Dad, no one influenced me. It comes from the Holy Spirit.”

“Yes, Dad, I am determined to be Catholic. It’s OK, I still love you and Mom.”

Etc.

You really should not have taken the Eucharist yet, you’re not in any way prepared. Have you even talked to the priest yet?

I know, and I tried. But sometimes, things that aren’t supposed to happen, happens. Right after the discusiion, I said, that I still loved them, the only difference between me some weeks ago, and me now, is that I am believing in a religion a tiny bit different. At the same time, I say to you that my family situation is far away from what anyone would ever want. I am so sorry, Lord forgive me for saying those things, but it is like a prison. And as for The Euachrist, I felt like I had to, I was first trying to just sit at my bench, but people would glare so nasty at me. It ruined my experience in church, but I’ll think positive. And yes, I’ve talked a bit to the priest.

 

[devoutchristian]

he should remain silent and not officially convert until he can do so safely.

I guess that St.Paul and all of the other Roman martyrs should have just delayed their conversion until Christianity was legalized.

 

[Zekariya]

I guess that St.Paul and all of the other Roman martyrs should have just delayed their conversion until Christianity was legalized.

My thoughts as well. Church history includes martyrs of all ages (even children), defying man to obey Christ.

“His youngest son, Saint John, an eight-year-old child, was disfigured by the Boxers the same day. Although the mob cut off his ears, nose, and toes, Saint John did not seem to feel any pain, and walked steadily. Crowds mocked the young confessor, as they mocked his Lord before him, calling him a demon for his unwillingness to bend to make sacrifice to the idols. To the amazement of onlookers, although he was mutilated, mocked, and alone, young Saint John declared that it did not hurt to suffer for Christ.” (AD 1900)

Source: [The Chinese Martyrs of the Boxer Rebellion](The Chinese Martyrs of the Boxer Rebellion)

 

[SilverCamellia]

So you have now told your parents.

Your dad kept asking you all those questions because he does not understand and you did not really answer him. But I think telling them that Catholicism is the same as Islam but with a few bits tagged on will make them angry, because they will see it as blasphemy.

No doubt you know that in Islam, abandoning the faith is punishable by death (I don’t know if the Qu’ran says this or if it is a cultural thing). You must consider that although your parents might accept your decision without violence, your extended family might not. There is also the chance that your mother might take control too, if she is the strongest religious family member. I have read stories of girls who, when they scorned Islam by having a non-Islamic boyfriend, suddenly found themselves kidnapped and tricked into visiting their family’s original homeland and into an arranged marriage to stop them straying. Although you are male, this could happen to you too. I don’t think they will kill you because to Islam, a male is worth twice the value of a female, but you should be aware that you might find yourself subject to beatings

To be honest I think you are being a bit naive about this

 

[Zekariya]

I don’t think they will kill you because to Islam, a male is worth twice the value of a female, but you should be aware that you might find yourself subject to beatings

To be honest I think you are being a bit naive about this

I guess you consider the Apostles to be naive.

Acts 5:40-42 And they agreed with him, and when they [the Jewish religious leaders] had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Acts 7:55-60 But he [Stephen after finishing his preaching], being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

 

[SilverCamellia]

I guess you consider the Apostles to be naive.

Acts 5:40-42 And they agreed with him, and when they [the Jewish religious leaders] had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

I mean that he goes and tells his parents, blows off attempts by his father to talk to him, and does not seem to consider that he is only 15, lives at home, is completely under his family’s power, and has described all his family except his father as ‘radical’.

Although our situations are different I too am under a lot of pressure from my family because I want to become Catholic and I know it is not easy at all.

 

[Zekariya]

I mean that he goes and tells his parents, blows off attempts by his father to talk to him, and does not seem to consider that he is only 15, lives at home, is completely under his family’s power, and has described all his family except his father as ‘radical’.

Although our situations are different I too am under a lot of pressure from my family because I want to become Catholic and I know it is not easy at all.

I see. I agree. We should always treat our parents with respect even when we are required to disagree with them. Standing up for Christ should be done in a respectful manner.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I mean that he goes and tells his parents, blows off attempts by his father to talk to him, and does not seem to consider that he is only 15, lives at home, is completely under his family’s power, and has described all his family except his father as ‘radical’.

Although our situations are different I too am under a lot of pressure from my family because I want to become Catholic and I know it is not easy at all.

He also took the Eucharist although he is not prepared to do so. Pretty sad about that, I wish the OP had not made that decision.

 

[Zekariya]

And as for The Euachrist, I felt like I had to, I was first trying to just sit at my bench, but people would glare so nasty at me. It ruined my experience in church, but I’ll think positive. And yes, I’ve talked a bit to the priest.

The Eucharist is Christ our God; His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. You shouldn’t partake of the Eucharist until you have been fully initiated. I assume that you have never been baptized. Those that are unbaptized have original sin (that we are conceived and born in) and whatever mortal sins that one has committed over the years.

It is, therefore, a grave sin that you have committed by doing by partaking of the Eucharist. Even non-Catholics that are baptized are forbidden to partake in the Catholic Eucharist. You should arrange for a meeting with a priest to discuss your desire to convert. Also, you should learn more about the teachings of the Catholic Church.

You are in my prayers.

In Christ,
Zekariya

 

[90Domer]

Thank you, to everybody! For your nice words, your tips and remembering me in prayers. I’ll keep you in my prayers as well. As for where I’m living, I am living in Norway. Thank Our Lord, if I hadn’t I’d probably been killed by now… I’m heading for church in a couple of hours, to attend a mass and to talk with the priest.

God bless you! Please know you will be in my daily prayers. Stay close to Our Lady in prayer. She will always protect you.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

“DISCLAIMER: I am not suggesting the op to put himself in danger if at all possible.”

I am saying that it is better to convert to Christianity inspite of danger than to postpone it. The history of the Church Martyrs support my opinion.

I think this is very bad advice to be given to a 15 year old. Let’s look at you disclaimer again…

 

[devoutchristian]

I think this is very bad advice to be given to a 15 year old. Let’s look at you disclaimer again…

Too bad St. Paul and all of the other apostles were just to stupid to figure out that Christianity wasn’t worth risking their safety over.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

Too bad St. Paul and all of the other apostles were just to stupid to figure out that Christianity wasn’t worth risking their safety over./QUO

How old are you? You sound a bit immature to be honest. The OP is not St. Paul last time I checked. Advising martyrdom to a young person requres a look by a moderator imo.

Anyway, this is so irrelevant now. The OP has told his parents. The parents have so far reacted well, under the circumstances. My further advice for the OP would be to tone down teenage pouting and speak to his parents is a respectful and loving way. This is what Christ asks of us, to treat people in a certain way, to speak of the Truth with charity and kindness. There is nothing like having an attitude to make people even more angry at Christianity. The OP doesn’t need this right now, he need his parents to accept his decision and to eventually respect it.

As for the Eucharist, it really must not happen again. Now the OP knows he must not take it (even if people look at him funny).

 

[devoutchristian]

How old are you? You sound a bit immature to be honest.

Personal attacks do not help your argument.

The OP is not St. Paul last time I checked.

It was an analogy.

Advising martyrdom to a young person requres a look by a moderator imo.

I didn’t advice him to be a martyr. I advised him to convert regardless of the dangers involved. BTW, are you suggesting that he should deny his faIth if he were to be threatened with death?

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

I didn’t advice him to be a martyr. I advised him to convert regardless of the dangers involved. BTW, are you suggesting that he should deny his faIth if he were to be threatened with death?

Wise as serpents and innocent as doves my friend. Let’s say I would (and have) advise him to be extremely cautious and wise. Shall we leave it at that? I will not enage in this anymore and derail the thread. Thank you.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

OP,

reading the account of your first conversation with your father gave me the impression that he is a reasonable man that you can talk to. By this I don’t mean that you should expect to convert him and get him to agree with you, but that you can engage in a civil conversation about your faith and reasons for your conversion. Timing is everything. Make sure that neither of you is upset and antagonistic. Don’t attack him personally and don’t make it about your freedom to do what you want. It never goes down well with parents. Make sure you have your facts straight and recources readily available. The Apologetics section is great for that. (A few months ago a member came up with a detailed account of the history of islam and pointed to some obvious inconsistencies, falsities and had its claims refuted. Try and find it, I’m sure it will come in handy). Your father said that you are leaving the faith that has been passed on from the 7th century. I think this is where you could engage with him when the right moment comes. Does he know enough about where Islam came from? But please make sure you are always respectful of his faith, even when you are trying to prove it wrong. Wise as a serpent and innocent as a dove, right?

I am so pleased that things have gone well so far. I will keep you in my prayers.

 

[Friday_child]

I am praying for you with all my heart and soul please please keep us updated with your progress xxxx

 

[Zekariya]

I think this is very bad advice to be given to a 15 year old. Let’s look at you disclaimer again…

Contra Mundum means: Against the World. I guess that you don’t think that the OP should go against his parents let alone the world. Where in Church history do people postpone conversion because it “could” be dangerous? Did anyone cease baptisms during Communism in the Soviet Union?

I agree that he needs to be wise in how he acts and avoid danger if possible. However, one can convert while being wise in how one acts and also avoid danger if possible.