you have stated my thoughts exactly. quoting the bible to someone who believes the bible to be a book of myths is like someone quoting fairy tales to me. i try to show my love for God in my actions. i dont "preach" to people. i find that ppl are more willing to discuss God with me than with someone to preaches to them. havent you ever met someone that just exudes peace and love when you are around them? dont you want to know what it is all about?

sorry for straying from the topic. i just wanted to state my agreement. to the OP, please read the post by cranium and keep your head up. good luck to you in all you do!

It depends. I don't think we have enough information to determine a perfect answer. For example when you say are they trying to force their beliefs on you, what do you actually mean by that?

If they have specific Sabbath requirements, they are required to enforce them on anyone within their gates. If they say no girls over night, or you have to be in by a certain time, they have that prerogative. You have no argument.

If on the other hand, they expect you to go to their church, and accept their beliefs as your own, then they are sort of stepping on what should be your "ten acres" now at your age.

They taught you before this, and now, you have to find yourself and your own beliefs.

So, if they are just trying to push their religion on you, and you are not actually doing things that show an overt disrespect for their beliefs and rules, then I have a plan.

Why not go to them and explain, as you have to us, that you respect and love them, but you want them to understand something.

Explain that you are coming into your own, and that they did a good job of teaching you. They have done their part and that you believe that they have done it very well. Your choice right now is not a reflection on them.

Then show them some scriptures to help them understand.

Read: Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Tell them they have trained you. You do, understand, but every kid has to find their own way. They did when they were young, and God worked with them to bring them to Him. You might come back later, but right now you don't feel called of God to do that.

Remind them that Jesus or the disciples never tried to force anyone to believe.

Explain that you understand that there is a calling involved. as Jesus said:

Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

As Ecc 3 says there is a time for everything.

Paul writes: 1Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

Tell them, So, mom and dad, I am asking you to understand that God is not calling me right now. And, all this pressure is pushing me away from you who I deeply love and respect. I don't want that to happen, and I know it can. I have seen it with others in the church and at school. The pressure becomes too great and the kids either get angry at their parents or they cave in for fear and then become depressed.

Then explain that God even says this:

Eph 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Col 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Tell em: Mom and Dad, I don't want this to happen to us. I care too much about you. So, I am asking you to give me some time. I am becoming a man now. Let me become who God wants me to become. Let me have some time to process life, who I am, and what I actually believe.

But, I want you to know, I appreciate your love and desire to protect me with your religion. I want you to know, I will always try my best to honor and respect the both of you.

I am older now, and so grateful that you were my mom and dad, and I have tried to show that in my behavior. Now I am asking something of you. Please respect me in this.

Then from me to you personally. You may not believe in much of this religious stuff. I understand. Much of it is man made. It is silly and foolish sometimes. However, you do know that the principles in the Bible and its morality and ethics are there to protect you, not limit you. So, reject religion if you will, but think it through. The moral guidelines in the Bible are there to insure your success in life. Don't be a fool and discard them because the rest of your friends and the rest of the world are.

There is always a kick back. There are always penalties to pay for breaking the rules.

Love ya, and the best to you,

Art