Questioned by own family? Please read

[Tranquility]

This is any interesting post i am making because every since i have been practicing The Pagan religion and Shamanism, of course my peers and older people and certain people of my family are looking at me differently, but now im at the point where im being questioned of my faith and why i do not believe in jesus or follow him. My aunt and I had a long talk tonight in a chinese restaurant. It seems that they think that just because im not 40 years old or older, have not had a religious experience, and don't have knowledge of other religions( which i do), i cannot firmly choose a religion and she thinks that i am not an open person. I would say that having studied over 25 religions and cults i would say im pretty open, accepting new ideas, pretty open, being stronlgy, seriously and disciplined in a spiritual path at the age of 15.. pretty open. I just don't understand why they don't realize that im not like most people they know, im not a regular like some people in my family that go along life not strongly or firmly having a guiding hand, friend, and protector there in their life at all times. THey dont realize that i can see things beyond face value, and that is why my aunt realizes that im not like most people, she, herself is a VERY spiritual person, one of the most that i know. She is even of native american background and she even knows quite a bit of Wicca, not being a wiccan, actually and Atheist. They don't think that just because im 15 i don't have my spiritual values and treasures. Just because im not an Elder i cannot be a spiritual person or firm of my religion is what they think...
Any ideas or thoughts would be very much appreciated on this subject, its really an impacting part of my life...

[st0rm]

admit to them that u dont know as much as they do and ask them to respect your path...

[shnen]

I wouldn't take them seriouusly, because you could turn that around, have they tried being pagan? why not? have they not had an experience with the Goddess? Then maybe they should be quiet and let you lead your own life. :)

Trust me, I have tried to come up with tons of responses when I tell my family... they are die hard xians. :rolleyes:

[Jenett]

It's a fact of psychological development and expectations in our culture that teenagers are *supposed* to be exploring a lot of different options and trying things out while they're teenagers, without necessarily being held to those decisions.

It may be (it's really hard to tell from your post) that your family is just concerned that you're focusing too much on one thing, possibly neglecting other information that they think might be useful to you.

(There are, for example, a lot of purely academic reasons that understanding Christianity, for example, can be very handy, since it's such a major influence on Western art, history, literature, and music.)

Since you say that you're open to learning about other religions as well, why not negotiate with them. Explain that you want to follow your own path, but that you're willing to read/discuss (and perhaps visit services) for other religions? That would probably reassure them. Alternatively, you could negotiate that they get to share information with you, and you get to share information with them.

But, fundamentally, you're 15. Your family *do* have certain rights to be concerned about what you're doing and learning in the US. Working with that, rather than fighting it, is probably going to be more enjoyable.

[Emaleth]

My advice is: let them talk. Whatever they say can't make you change your faith. In time, when they see that you are genuinely involved in your religion, that you take it seriously and that it's not just a phase after which you'll convert back to Christianity, they'll stop talking. Hopefully, they'll realise it's pointless.
Blessed Be

[FlamedLilly]

I must say that first, I don't believe that age has anything to do with experiences or knowledge gained. BUt I also must say that you need to walk carefully and although they can't change your path understand that if you don't find a compromise that you'll be compromising your parents trust and the freedoms that they allow you to have.

[Blu Heather]

When it comes to the choices you make there will be family that wont understand. Whether it's about faith or not. I get crap for wanting to become a veterinarian and not a doctor. :rolleyes:

I agree with Emaleth, sometimes all you can do is just let them talk. Especially since you are a minor. Just remember that sometimes your best friend is knowledge. When you talk to them about things be knowledgeable without being a smartass. Trust me I learned to make that distinction quickly. People tend to brush off what you are saying if you are a smartass when talking to them.

You know what might be interesting...research different religions and how a person is "baptized" into that religion. Like in Christianity most babies are "baptized." While some religions wont allow "baptism" until they are older.

Show them how you are looking into different religions and explain to them that you are a spiritual person but you want to be able to pick the religion you want to belong to. Try to tell them that you are doing this to rebel or anything to that effect. Just remember that they may not want to listen...just be true to yourself.

[Tranquility]

All of these are great things, thanks a lot everyone, I think the biggest concern is that they think that just because im young and only 15, i can't have already planned out my spiritual life, or maybe they don't want me to grow up, my mother is always saying, oh your already goign to college in 2 years and all that mumbo jumbo parents do..

[Rose Sunny Rionach]

My mom does that.. always questioning me about my faith.. always saying its a phaze.. most all my friends think its just a phaze too... I know its not so I just mainly bite my tongue and smile and nod.. and then when I'm older and they see its not a phaze I can always stick my tongue out and "BOOYAH!":rolleyes:

[Moon Daughter]

a few years ago, when i first told my family about it, they didn't take me seriously. first, they just laughed, but seeing how i would get very angry about it, they'd stark mocking me about it.
a few times, when annoyed with me, they even went as far as calling it bull@#$%.
now, i think they have accepted it. at times, even, my mother comes to me asking to heal her headache, or to make her a good luck charm when she needs it...
it took a while, but now it's all good.
although my parents still tell their friends that our family is atheist, deep inside, i feel that they starting to take me seriously.

[shnen]

wow you guys are brave.. I am 26 and I am not scared to tell my family.. more like I think it just might destroy them, thats how much they are into their beliefs...