<font color="purple">Probably a badly-worded title but whatever.

Starting about a year or so ago, my parents (my mom and step-dad) found alot of faith in religion. Gradualy I guess they've been getting more intense about it, until now where it's like they are always praising god for everything, and only litsening to christian music, etc.

I don't want to be the one who rains on their parade, but after awhile it feels like they are being pushy with their religion. It's hard because I'm really close to these two and I feel like what such a great new part of their lives for them is really repelling me away.

Maybe I'm just an intolerant person, but praising god all of the time and other religious stuff is just not something that I want to hear. Just because you've embraced religion doesn't mean everyone around you should, or even wants to.

It's starting to get past the "agitated" phase and getting towards the "downright offended by the things they say" phase, but like I said before, this is just a great thing for them and I'm afraid that if I speak up against it that they'll become more miserable people again because they don't want to practice their beliefs around me, or that they'll be all nice around me and then behind my back they'll say stuff about me. Is it really selfish of me to feel offended and I shoud become less sensitive about the matter, or do i have the right to speak up if I'm offended regardless of wether or not it is considered selfish? </font>

[KathyM]

((Kaika))

I understand why you feel offended, and I believe you do have a right to speak up. I'm glad your parents found something that provides them with comfort, but they still have a job to do. It is their responsibility to show you how to walk in this world - not how to hold your head up in the clouds and escape from the reality of life (no offense intended, it's just the way it appears to me with some people).

I'm sure they mean well and probably think their joy will spill over onto you. Maybe it would help if you tell them you'd prefer they focus on teaching you about the reality of life. As it is now, they are just showing off their smiles.

I hope your parents return to you.

[nowheretorun]

((Kaika)) i think you are handling this in a kind and caring way, you recognize your parents need for something greater than themselves to enter thier life and give it some new energy or life that had gone missing and in a lot of ways a positive grounded and strong loving faith can repair many so called voids for us... its great that you are giving them the space they need to develop and find what they need...

i hope they have explained to you that your own faith is something which is so private, so deep, so valuable that no other can ever take or change it from what you decide it should be...

[pachyderm]

Do you have to say anything?

[SeptemberMorn]

Kaika, why does your parent's joy annoy you so much? Have you taken the time to find out if what they are praising God for is indeed true? Has He changed their life?

You can partake in that joy, too, you know, if you take the time to understand it. If you really see a change in their life and in their actions, it would be worth it to have them explain things to you. I'm surprised that they haven't shared their knowledge and their faith with you.

It's change, Kaika, and we all fight it one way or the other. When something like this rubs you the wrong way, it's well worth finding out why. Don't depend on your feelings for that. Get the truth about it.

Seriously, you aren't losing your parents. It's you that is moving away from them because you don't completely understand what is going on and you're fighting it, Hon.

[sunrise]

Kaika, before we live independently from our parents, we hear a lot of stuff from them that we probably don't like. It just goes with the territory of how it is before you're an adult and off on your own. Try to be patient with them and their views. Soon you will be on your own and won't be hearing it anymore. Religion and politics are two areas in which we need to find our own way. It sounds like you aren't feeling enough space right now from your parents to find your own way. It will come. In the meantime, your experience with your parents' religion will be something that influences you in the future as you make your own choices. Perhaps you will have enough familiarity with their religion to know it isn't for you. Or perhaps in the future you will think, hey, my parents' religion had a lot going for it. I want to explore it more. It's all useful experience for your future. Just look at it as an opportunity to learn.

[bebop]

maybe try going to church with them. if it is a larger church perhaps they have a group for younger people. you could get involved in that. I am not sure how old you are but living in their home I really don't think you have alot of say in how they are feeling or what they are saying. maybe try to be more open to their experience to see what it is all about.

[Malady156]

Kaika how long till you can move out & get your own place?

Feeling like someone else's religion bes suffocating you just plain sucks. When Malady bes young its parents got into this stupid Amway cult for awhile. Oh man did that suck, having to watch their fake cheer and hear those stupid slogans etc. After awhile they came to their senses and dumped the pyramid scheme and went back to normal life. But that just bes some capitalist cult not any religion for real. Anyway ... grit your teeth and find all the privacy AWAY from them that you can till you can move out. You have no obligation to sell your soul to their beliefsystem.

[SeptemberMorn]

I agree with Sunrise and Bebop. And besides, if your parents are so joyful, why not find out their secret? Why turn your back on it?

[KathyM]

LMAO Malady - those Amway people were a HOOT! They were sooooo certain their little pyramid would provide them with everlasting food, water and shelter.

When my son was trying to find a job, he gut suckered into selling plastic containers on the street. They assured him he could make a good living and live a life of luxury. They did the same thing with their chanting before they went out on the streets to sell their products. They used that obnoxious chant from the movie "Requiem for a Dream" ("Juice by" something)

He didn't do very well, despite everyone cheerfully chanting around him. They'd drop him off in strange neighborhoods, so whenever he entered an establishment he was greeted with the words "Get out of here n****r."

It was SO hard to go back to the "office" and listen to everyone ringing their bells and congratulating themselves. It was SO hard for him to remain calm when they told him he wasn't trying hard enough.

For me, I tried to turn to my adult Hippie friends for help and guidance. Unfortunately, they were the same way with their "Kumbaya songs." That, or they were too interested in sex, drugs and rock 'n roll. They tuned in, turned on, then tuned me out altogether.

Kaika - You just might have to do this on your own. Find a way that is good and true - follow your heart. Do your best to stay true to yourself and the people around you so that your won't have any regrets at the end of your life. You don't have to conquer the world, you just need to keep on taking your steps with as much balance and harmony as you can muster. Even if you get it wrong and occasionally stumble, you'll be able to look back and laugh at yourself. It feels really good to look back and say "That was a Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat ride!"