How do I tell my parents I want to change religions?

Parents, I want to change religions.

I’m Roman Catholic and my dad makes me go to CCD, If I were you I’d just say what you said right there, to me it sounds good. I really want to switch to scientism but it would be a waste of there money considering I’m already attending CCD.

Probably won’t help but whatev’s

@icehky06 I am attending a Catholic high school, but it dosen’t matter, lots of people who go there aren’t even Catholic.

you can join my religion for only 19.95!
you can tell your parents there’s a group rate which will bring the cost down to like.. $15.95 per person!

I’m a non-practicing Catholic except when my mother makes me go to church (I’m 25). You can differ religiously without offending or have a big fight. I personally believe in more of a karmic system than the theology of the Church and all the folks who are supposedly going to hell. What I did was make it clear that Catholicism was not for me, that I was more spiritual than religious, and appreciated the freedom to think about the world outside the scriptures of the Catholic Church. I made it clear that going to church did not make me a better person and that there are many people who go to church who don’t follow through by trying to live the lives that Jesus would want them to. I told her I preferred to skip a step and that was practicing a religion that wasn’t doing much for me. She didn’t like it, but we agreed to disagree. One thing about you though… Right now, you think you want to be Buddhist. I suggest being non-Catholic for a while before jumping into another religion and learning about what you think outside of a religious structure.

@icehky06 You want to switch to… scientism? And it would cost money how?

@ninjacolin “But wait! There’s more!!”

I never felt the need to tell my theistic parents when I realized that I was a non-theist.

Your spiritual beliefs are not anyone else’s business, unless you want it to be. Especially during a time where you’re trying to find yourself, I’d avoid being too blatant about what you tell anybody. In other words, wait until you find what you are looking for and get settled before involving other people.

Buddhism is less of a religion than it is a philosophy, although depending on how you view it, those may be almost the same thing. You don’t need to formally “convert;” just believe what you believe and practice what feels right to you.

Pete beat me to everything I was gonna say.

I would be mad, but his avatar always make me smile. Meanie.

When I “switched” I didn’t tell them. Not exactly sure how its any of their business.

You have your own moral compass or conscience (reason and empathy) which is likely to be as good as any others. Despite all the odds you were able to use this to challenge the questionable moral precepts of the religion you just happened to be born into. That’s truly a rare and precious mind set (even if it can be a little daunting).

So why assume you are now missing something that needs to be replaced, rather than having found something that shouldn’t be given up?

As such, be careful not to see disillusionment with one particular dogma as a reason to embrace another.

Trust yourself. You’re probably more enlightened than you think.

Pete is right that as far as Buddhism is concerned there’s no “conversion” necessary. In fact, I know of Zen practitioners who still consider themselves Catholic. I don’t know what kinds of compromises they’ve had to negotiate in the “Catholic” part of their minds to pull this off, but Buddhism isn’t a set of beliefs, so it’s not a matter of swapping out one set of beliefs for another.

In its simplest form, Buddhism is the practice of keeping the attention focused on the moment, trying not to do harm, and taking care of others. There’s no need to believe anything at all. If you put your mind to these three things, it doesn’t matter what you call yourself, you’re following “the Way”. All of the other stuff that people associate with Buddhism is just so much window dressing. Some people find this other stuff helpful to the basic work, but it’s the work itself that matters.

So, yeah, no point in making some big “I’m a Buddhist now” announcement to your parents. Even if your heart isn’t exactly in it, continuing to go through the motions of Catholicism, at least while you’re living at home, won’t conflict in any way should you decide to practice Buddhism. A time may come when you have to talk to your parents about whatever misgivings you have about the religion, but there’s no rush.

@pinkparaluies couldn’t have said it better myself.

I’m glad you have come to the realization that god may not exist. I just can’t wait until more people come out of their religious box and see the truth that has been infront of their eyes all of these years.

@pinkparaluies I believe it would be their business when a minor who they are trying to make go to church no longer wishes to go to church and has to tell them why she no longer wants to go participate.

@avvooooooo Excuse me for thinking this person has the rights over their own soul.

@pinkparaluies Soul, yes. Actions, no. Not all the time and not when someone is underage and living in their parents’ house.

@avvooooooo blah blah. internet arguments.

@pinkparaluies Unnecessary. I explained my point so that you would understand what I was saying, all you wish to do is act childish. Again, unnecessary as well as immature. Please grow up some if you want to interact with adults. K, thanks.

@avvooooooo pink like kittens.
hahaha. i’m constantly saying.. heyyy please don’t talk to me, please? but if you can’t give me a little respect and leave me alone like i’d like.. you can handle the immaturity. :)
by the way.. i don’t give a rat’s ass about what you say, so no need to explain <3

@pinkparaluies I was not clarifying solely for your benefit.

[mod says] Flame off folks. You are derailing the thread.

My usual ‘should-I-be-Buddhist?’ copy-paste from Kalama Sutta:
“Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing; nor upon tradition; nor upon rumor; nor upon what is in a scripture; nor upon surmise; nor upon an axiom; nor upon specious reasoning; nor upon a bias towards a notion that has been pondered over; nor upon another’s seeming ability; nor upon the consideration, “The monk is our teacher.”
‘When you yourselves know: “These things are bad; these things are blamable; these things are censured by the wise; undertaken and observed, these things lead to harm and ill,” abandon them.’
‘When you yourselves know: ‘These things are good; these things are not blamable; these things are praised by the wise; undertaken and observed, these things lead to benefit and happiness,’ enter on and abide in them.’

Do some research, mainly into your own interpretations and intentions, so you can share your new ideas with the parents. Include them, find similarities, uncover any hidden false assumptions they may have about your new path. You don’t need to stop any Catholic practice that you find useful. Show that you’re not trying to prove them wrong, but exploring truth to end conflict. If you find the defense of your beliefs creates tension instead of relieving it, examine wheather you are using the teachings as tools for self-improvement, or reciting them as weapons.
Buddhas(awakened ones) are men who point to the truth; Buddhists are regular people who, while listening, know, ‘I am listening.’
I hope your parents don’t fight you.

Did you say how old you are? if you are an adult, you don’t have to explain too much about your choice of religion though it would still matter to them but then again it would not be as biggie than when you are a minor.