[~denise23961]

Kim, I’ve seen my whole family changing in so many different ways over the years — we evolve. Some choose to stay with the belief system they were raised with and others choose a different path. Maybe it would be easier for you and your parents for you to bring up the topic that you are exploring for yourself what your own base belief system is (make it general) and let them get used to the idea that… hey, your growing up! Your beginning to think for yourself and exploring — all parents want their kids to do that. (or at least most of us do…) The next step might be to ‘dismiss yourself’ in small ways from the religious rituals that you are uncomfortable with. A short explaination might be… ‘I just haven’t decided if I am comfortable with that for myself…’ Which is true and while you are taking care of your own belief system your not being critical of theirs. Slowly and a little at a time…. over time… gives both you and your parents time to adjust that what you believe it different… not that they are wrong or that you are wrong but that you both can be right… just different. You can still love each other even if you don’t believe the same religious beliefs. Over time, you both will adjust and that may just be a topic that y’all don’t talk about. I have really never discussed with my parents my own choice to move away from the religion they believe in and they don’t really ask anymore except when I ‘excuse’ myself from the room during something I am uncomfortable participating in… I always just say, I’m not comfortable with ‘that’ ritual so I excused myself. That way it isn’t being critical toward them and doesn’t allow much space for them to be critical of you. On the occasion they have tried to discuss it with me I just say, ‘That is a topic I’d rahter not talk about.’ Then I bring up another topic right away. As an adult you will make a lot of choices that your parents may or may not agree with and most they won’t even know about ~smile~ a blessing for parents! Learning to do it gracefully and without malice is the important part. Good luck.

User Detail :  

Name : ~denise23961, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Pagan, Age : 42, City : Houston, State : TX, Country : United States, Social class : Middle class, 

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