I would like to get a little advice or at least a few opinions on how to best play a part in a current family problem.

As children, my older sister and I were both sent to a "fire and brimstone" Southern Baptist school and brought up in the church. It was extremely repressive and a very bad experience.

In addition to the hypocrisy we witnessed in these institutions, our mother was fanatically religious at home, teaching us:"If it's not God, it's Satan" and telling us every time we misbehaved that we would burn in hell.

14 years ago, my parents had another child. My father pulled my mother out of the church and away from the influence of fear preachers. He assured me that my little sister would be raised to think for herself and to make her own decisions.

Today my little sister called me, upset that "Mom has flipped out and she thinks I'm possessed by evil spirits because I went to an after school club where they teach about paganism."

I don't want to intrude on the way that my parents are raising my sister, but at the same time, I don't want her to re-live any part of my childhood. Any advice about what part, if any, I should take in this?

be honest with your mom about your feelings....but be there for your sister all you can

Just be there for her..unfortunately many people teach their children this sin and guilt, godfearing philosophy because they believe it is best...
This experience will help her to find her own path one day.

thankyou. I certainly believe in honesty. I just worry about siding in arguments where children are involved. I appreciate your imput.

If you're not comfortable speaking to your Mom, talk to your Father about this. He seems a bit more down to earth.

I know my mother is only doing what she feels is best for my sister. I appreciate your understanding of this. I will be there for her.

I will talk to him... after the storm settles a bit and he doesn't feel that he has to face my mother's fury. Thankyou!

talk to her and maybe go over what they preached about at this church. Pray with her and ask God to set your mind to what is true and fact compared to what is wrongly preached. Read what she has learned from church with her.

And don't just take one person's thoughts on bible teachings. Always take what you've learned and read up on yourself. Always keep in mind a couple things, our law is the new testiment. The old testiment is for people that were before Jesus came to the earth, Jesus changed some took some away and added some things that we are to follow.

I was raised that way and it was awful...however I figured it out and she will to, it will help having you there, I never had that.
Let her know she is a good person, help her as far as not buying into this "unworthy" crap! Wish you well with this..truly.

It sound like your mother may be going off the deep end on her religion.She should know as a Christian she should not worry about Satan or Evil spirits as God is always in control.However who does Satan want to spend more time making life miserable?A doubtful pure hearted Christian or a Christian who is only a Christian because his or her parents are?I can tell you from expierence the closer and more obident you get to God the better your life will be but when you start back sliding and Satan can get a hold of you again he will really wreck havock in your life much worse than before and scare you both mentally,and physically.The battle between Jesus and Satan is fought 24/7 inside you and believe me when I say both are very real and both will speak to you on those very rare ocassions.

I only bring this up because I can relate to your mother.The more you read the bible,the more expierences you have with both good and evil spirits,and the more educated you become the more you will know on how Satan gains control of weak minded people.Pagans and their religion are no friends of Christians and your mother should be worried.I totally understand that Pagans in general are harmless and usually laughed at as kids who never grew up and still live in their mothers basement.But Pagans keep witchcraft alive and often practice it.Their pagan symbol is identical to the Satanic pentagram except it is the other way around.Pagans are nearly always ex Christians and spend a great deal of time speading lies and misinformation about Christians.They typically are depressed and confused and often mentally unstable.Most pagans have friends who have commited Suicide.


You should always honor your parents.You don't know what they have gone through.Your mother going crazy about your sisters safety only shows how much she cares for her.It is a bad idea to tell your mother anything that goes against her religion as she is set on her way and there is no changing that.If you sister wants to go her own way then she is free to do so but she should understand that it is hurting her mother and it will cause her mother a great deal of grief.She can be a pagan if she wishes but she should keep it private and to herself.There is a great deal of things I would have liked to do against my parents wishes when I was younger.I didn't do them and now that I am much older I can see clearly that they were right and I am happy for not putting them through the misery.

Thomas,
I certainly appreciate your input, but I disagree with the idea of taking away any one's personal freedom to make decisions about their beliefs.
I believe that it is fear based practice, instilling grief and guilt in children, that later leads to depression, mental scars and possibly suicide. This may not be a means to an end, it certainly came close to being the death of me.
In a situation where an innocent child is concerned, why should more guilt be compiled by hiding curiosity and emotionally protecting the parent?
We may not be on the same wave length because I am discussing psychology and you're referring to spiritual warfare. I realize this and agree to disagree. Blessings.

oh for heavens sake..."kids who were laughed at, never grew up and still live in their mothers basement"...


Magic happens all the time...miracles happen. Anyone can create it, yet you call it witchcraft. The pentagram is not and never has been a satanic symbol...it represents the 4 elements and spirit. "Pagans spend a great deal of time spreading lies about christians" You are misrepresenting Paganism just with what you are saying here..."most Pagans have friends who have committed suicide". Many people know some who have committed suicide...
"Pagans are no friends of christians..." Pagans do not care what you believe, we wish you love and peace, you are afraid of us because you don't understand what Paganism is.... which is very obvious with what you have just stated.
And has also given me a great laugh for the night, so thank you for that!! Peace brother

Well I have two sisters that are Pagans and I dated a Pagan for over 3 years.I think I have a pretty good idea what Pagans believe and don't believe.But maybe I just imagined my two sisters and girlfriend and everything they taught,showed,and told me.Perhaps I can give you their E-mail and you can teach them some things they don't know about Pagans.After all my sisters have only been practicing it since 1978.I'm sure you can give them some great advice.

Perhaps you need to take the question into the Science and Psychology section instead of the General religion section if Psychology is what you are interested in.

Be there for your sister, and make sure she knows you're there for her anytime she needs you. Maybe talk to your mom and see if she is willing to do anything about the situation.

Were your sister and ex girlfriend kids who were laughed at, never grew up and still live in mommy's basement?

I would say just read books.
Religion is all in books. That's the only way it can survive.
Telling someone to believe something won't make them believe it, and if it's that important at all there's no harm in checking out other religions. Especially because a lot of religions kinda require that you only follow that particular religion...

So, yeah... Christmas coming up... on December 25'th.

quote]
I would like to get a little advice or at least a few opinions on how to best play a part in a current family problem.

As children, my older sister and I were both sent to a "fire and brimstone" Southern Baptist school and brought up in the church. It was extremely repressive and a very bad experience.

In addition to the hypocrisy we witnessed in these institutions, our mother was fanatically religious at home, teaching us:"If it's not God, it's Satan" and telling us every time we misbehaved that we would burn in hell.

14 years ago, my parents had another child. My father pulled my mother out of the church and away from the influence of fear preachers. He assured me that my little sister would be raised to think for herself and to make her own decisions.

Today my little sister called me, upset that "Mom has flipped out and she thinks I'm possessed by evil spirits because I went to an after school club where they teach about paganism."

I don't want to intrude on the way that my parents are raising my sister, but at the same time, I don't want her to re-live any part of my childhood. Any advice about what part, if any, I should take in this?


As THIS may be a hard stand for you to take,,but.
If I was you I would try and get there,,see them all,,and TRY talking with reasons of your past and HER,,,as a premise to talk about your sisters life there and her well being verses all you had to endure,,,NOW,,,if THAT sounds like something that would flip out your mom,,,then TRY all that with dad,,?
SOMEONE has to address your mom's tormented heart as to GOD and what she believes is his hands and ways,,,,and your sisters evilness
PLEASE,,,,don't even let FAMILY,,,,do a wrong that YOU FEEL is and KNOW IS,,,,,going to hurt your sis for life...
even if YOU have to devise a way to take her in and protect her from THAT....
FEAR,,,is NO-REASON to stay clear of them or her ways...
Be honest, be YOU, and be THERE for your sis,,,,
WHATEVER its out-come,,,,,,,IF it means SHE(sis) is safe and clear of this kind of obedience,,,,then all is well,,,and YOU BOTH will have laughs about it,,later in your lives

Be there for your sister and your dad as for your mum it is very sad that religion has such a hold upon her when at the end of the day if only she could see her world would be that much happier spent with her loved ones and not a church that twists things in order to influence the vunerable. Religion and those that influence others by fear and twisted views have a lot to answer for. Anna x