[A-Buzdon]

I’m a gay 17-year-old male whos parents, and family, are very Catholic. Is there any way to tell them that I don’t believe in what they believe? My parents came from Croatia in the ’20s, and religion is everything to them. Does anyone know what to do?
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User Detail :  

Name : A-Buzdon, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Gay, Age : 17, City : Cleveland, State : OH, Country : United States, 

[John K.]

Unfortunately, I have found there are two things people have a very hard time discussing objectively: Religion and politics. My parents are not very religious anymore, but even now they expect me to follow in their religious footsteps, so to speak. It may not be possible to tell them how you feel without getting a negative response. Catholics are, in general, very assured of their point of view, and cannot understand why someone might not ‘see the light.’ (This is typical of old-style Catholics, which I would think your Eastern European parents would be.) My advice would be to either move very slowly, or wait until you are in a more stable personal position, where you can act from a position of strength (like when you are on your own, not dependent on them). However, if this is basically about your homosexuality, it might be best to simply come out. Time will not change their views on that subject, and there is no reason to deny yourself because of their beliefs. No matter what decision you make, I hope that everything goes well. Just remember to stand firm in your own beliefs.

User Detail :  

Name : John K., Gender : M, Age : 26, City : Cranford, State : NJ, Country : United States, Occupation : Chemical Engineer, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Hero21319]

OK, heres the plan of action: 1) Tell them 2) RUN!! Only kidding!! Seriously, you don’t have to tell them if you don’t want to. As the old saying goes – what they don’t know can’t hurt them! and you can just let them work it out for themselves if they want to. But I know it can be very difficult trying to keep something a secret from people you love. You could try going very slowly and see how they react to small things at first and move on when they begin to accept that you feel differently about things. Or you could just throw it all in their faces and hope for the best – that they will love you whatever. Not knowing them personally it would be very difficult to know for sure what you should do. But whatever you choose to do – good luck and I hope it goes well!!

User Detail :  

Name : Hero21319, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Haven't settled on a sexuality yet!, Religion : Atheist, Age : 16, City : Aberdeen, State : NA, Country : United Kingdom, 

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