Would lying to my stepdad be a sin?

[SteubieGirl]

My parents have been divorced since I was young and my mother, who is a fallen-away Catholic, married my stepfather who is very anti-religious person. He claims he wants his two children (my siblings) to be able to choose for themselves what they believe when they are old enough and not be “brainwashed.” I am their oldest sister and was raised Catholic by my father. However, I live with my mother and stepdad most of the time.

Is it wrong for me to try and influence them as much as possible in regards to Christianity even if I have been forbidden to by my stepfather? One example would be me having them listen to some of my favorite Christian artists on the radio in the car. My stepdad has even asked me directly if I have done this and I said “no” because I could not think of anything to say out of fear of him.

Would this apply to other circumstances as well when it comes to teaching them the faith since I am only trying to protect them and myself? I always try to give an answer that is truthful but may not reveal the whole truth when questioned, however, sometimes it is difficult to do this when put on the spot. Thank you and God bless!

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

You should not lie to your stepfather at all. But if you truly fear him, then your culpability for lying might be mitigated. In that case though, I can only recommend talking to your mother and father about your fear of your stepfather. If you believe he has the capacity to hurt you or your siblings because you let them listen to Christian music in your car, then you and your siblings need to be protected from him.

You may however simply be worried that he’ll be upset that his children are being exposed to Christianity (as distinguished from truly fearing he’ll harm you or your siblings). If that is the case, then there is no need to lie to him. You need merely tell him politely and respectfully that you are the “captain of the ship” when driving your car – assuming it is your car – and that the music is set according to your tastes. If he does not want his children listening to the music you like when you are chauffeuring them, then he will need to make other arrangements for their transportation.

If it seems appropriate to do so, you might also gently ask him how he can expect his children to “make up their minds” about religion if he refuses to allow them to be exposed to religion. It is, of course, his and your mother’s right to raise their children as they see fit, but it appears to me that his refusal to allow his children to be exposed to Christianity is his way of making up their minds for them.