What to do about conservative parents?

[IconBasser]

My parents are radically conservative. They are fanatically catholic, to the point that they think that most modern catholics aren't holy people and are going straight to hell. They are both members of this insane society that supports a woman named Francis Klug, who claims to receive direct revelations from God. They refuse to let me partake in any activities which any normal kid would do, like going to parties, dances, and hanging out with friends in general. They feel that this is evil.


On the contrary, I'm a fairly liberal, even tempered, socially fluent person. I'm also an atheist and very cynical about religion.

I've managed to fundamentally hide myself and everything I believe in from them so far, they believe I'm just a quiet kid who accepts all of their idiosyncratic doctrines, never speaks up, and doesn't talk with many friends.

lately, they've tried to force a friendship with these two weird-o's who go to my church, who are possibly even crazier than them. I've resisted so far, which they attribute to social awkwardness and anti-social personality (quite the opposite of what I'm really like).


I am tired of keeping up this facade to keep them off my back, it gets harder as time goes on. Is there any way to live life how I want to live it without them beating me for the very suggestion?

[Basshole]

Don't let the Moonies get you, dood!

[phat daddy]

Until your 18 this is a hard place to be. You sound socially adept, so I guess just carry on at school as you wish, and when you're on your parents' time do what they say. But if you don't want these people your parents have pushed on you to be your friends, don't try to fake it. I think you could probably get away with being honest enough to simply say you don't like them. I would say to tell your parents how you really are and really feel, but it sounds like they're the types who wouldn't listen, which is a shame. Just keep in mind you won't have to suppress forever, age 18's coming soon and then you can move where you want, do what you want, and they won't be able to do anything to you. Just bide your time and keep in mind, as long as you're under their roof you're under their rules, no matter how unfair. My parents were like that, so I just poured myself into music and that really worked for me. Hope some of this helps.

[peterbright]

Keep faking it.

[SpectorBass308]

Well if your parents claim to believe in the Bible then it would be very easy to use it to prove them wrong in their fundamental style ruling, of course you would have to read the Bible and be familiar with what it teaches to do so.

[peaveyuser]

Move to Canada, much less of that here.

[crikker]

Wait til your older, it'll all make sense.

[cheesemonkey]

Just tell them and hope you don't get strangled


I'm also athiest and cynical about religion and i go to a school that has one agnostic kid or jew and one athiest (me) everyone else is christian... it was annoying the day some kids in my class found out i was athiest... it was a bit fun though i love teasing over-zealous christians (no offense just those ones who get really upset at the thought of gay marriage or believe harry potter is a devil book)...

Just tell them like i said and hope it all goes well...

[Human Bass]

If they were really fanatical catholics, they would listen to the Pope, not some Francis Klug whomever she is.

[IconBasser]

Originally Posted by Human Bass

If they were really fanatical catholics, they would listen to the Pope, not some Francis Klug whomever she is.

they don't like the pope. They think he's too liberal.

the church we attend is run by a pastor who tries to run things like they were in the 1500's.

He refuses to acknowledge the existence of the Vatican II, and only reluctantly says mass is english.

[cheesemonkey]

Originally Posted by IconBasser

they don't like the pope. They think he's too liberal.

wow that just made me lol...

[username n/a]

Blast The Number of the Beast as loud as possible.

[Joey3313]

As "radical" as they may be, is it really that foreign to just...talk to them about it? Let them know how you feel (do it in a respectful manner, but don't sound too timid or nothing will get through).

That's my vote.



Or just rebel as much as possible, and hope to God(ish) that they kick you out.

[Trevorus]

Let me shed a different light on it...

Don't let this situation make you go completely the opposite direction just out of wanting to be nothing like your parents. I've seen a lot of people do that, and it usually end up causing problems for them in the long run. Just mellow out and work through it for now, it'll make you stronger later...

[IconBasser]

to reiterate their strictness, I just asked my dad if he could order a new set of bass strings for me. I told him I was short on cash at the moment, and that I'd pay him back once I sell my old Carvin head on ebay (which will hopefully be in a week or so).

he proceeded to lecture me on my shortcomings in responsibility and then pointed out everything that he thought was wrong with me.

I can never talk to him. Every time, and I mean every time I approach him to say something, he ends up yelling at me. He then asks me why I never talk to him. How is he that blind to his fallacies as a human being?

As "radical" as they may be, is it really that foreign to just...talk to them about it? Let them know how you feel (do it in a respectful manner, but don't sound too timid or nothing will get through).

talking is definitely out...

[Trevorus]

Originally Posted by IconBasser

to reiterate their strictness, I just asked my dad if he could order a new set of bass strings for me. I told him I was short on cash at the moment, and that I'd pay him back once I sell my old Carvin head on ebay (which will hopefully be in a week or so).

he proceeded to lecture me on my shortcomings in responsibility and then pointed out everything that he thought was wrong with me.

I can never talk to him. Every time, and I mean every time I approach him to say something, he ends up yelling at me. He then asks me why I never talk to him. How is he that blind to his fallacies as a human being?

People are flawed... He's no exception, and hopefully he'll see that. My wife has never gotten along with her father because he is ridiculously flawed, and doesn't see it and outright denies it...

[cheesemonkey]

[quote=IconBasser;5681020] How is he that blind to his fallacies as a human being?


/QUOTE]

god i just wanna say it but for the sake of the thread i won't...

[phat daddy]

Originally Posted by Trevorus

Let me shed a different light on it...

Don't let this situation make you go completely the opposite direction just out of wanting to be nothing like your parents. I've seen a lot of people do that, and it usually end up causing problems for them in the long run. Just mellow out and work through it for now, it'll make you stronger later...

Good advice. It's easy to want to be polar opposite, but this is a grey world as you will learn if you haven't already. Extremes are rarely called for in life, but it takes discipline to defeat them. I'm 32, and I'm still trying to chill my extremes.

[IconBasser]

Originally Posted by Trevorus

People are flawed... He's no exception, and hopefully he'll see that.

highly doubtful. both of my parents treated my older brother (now 23) the same way. To this day they don't understand why he moved out while going to college (only about 15 miles from my house)

[steve21]

Suck it up and move out for college. And if your nutso parents are the reason you don't want to go to school in California, you CAN move out pretty easily, and there are some damn good schools in state?