My parents reject religion. How can I become a Christian?
Question:
My family wants to stay away from religion, but I want to go toward it. I want to embrace God's love. I would go to church, but I am too young to drive or walk there. I have asked my parents to go to church, but they said "no." So I have been secretly praying for my meals and for the days that God has given me to live. Is this a form of lying?
I also have another question: Since I have been sheltered from knowledge about religion, I am confused about whether I am Christian or Catholic. I have been baptized as a Catholic, but I seem so pulled toward Christianity. If I want to become a Christian, would I be able to?
Answer:
"Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law" (Luke 12:51-53).
It isn't that Christianity isn't a peaceful religion, but Jesus' point is that his religion forces people to make choices, and sometimes people in the same household will make different choices. Sadly, your family has turned its back on God, perhaps one day that will change, maybe even through your influence. In the meantime, you have to decide what is more important to you.
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it -- lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:26-33).
It is not lying to make a choice different from your parents. It would be lying to tell them that you agree with them and then do the opposite.
Since you didn't say how old you are, I can't give you precise advice. If it is a matter of getting to a church, let me know what town you are in and I'll find the number of the nearest church to you that I trust. Perhaps the preacher there can talk to your parents and get permission for a member to take you to church and bring you home. We've done that a number of times here and I'm sure other congregations would be happy to do the same.
Can you become a Christian? Of course, no one is barred from the church -- except those who insist on staying in sin. If you would like, you and I can study together about religion as much as you desire. Do you have access to a Bible?
