We're Protestant, and both of my parents would be against it. I have my own car though, and I am 19. Do you think it would be okay if I just started going on my own. We already go to two different churches. I go to a baptist church. They go to a Methodist church.
Tags: greek orthodox church, Religion & Spirituality, Church (building)
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Mom and Dad, I want to visit this other church with a friend of mine and see what it is like. I’ll let you know what I think of it next week. See ya.
I would think that Methodists would be thrilled to pieces that you stopped going to a Baptist church…
But I have been wrong before.
Well, since you already **DO** attend a different Christian Church than your parents, then nothing should stop you from joining the Orthodox Church, if its what you really want to do.
God Bless.
Just start visiting and take it from there.
Your 19 even if they forbid it they cant do anything your an adult do what YOU want
If you are 19, do it.
I went through the same thing about 10 years ago, and they got used to the idea.
You stated it very well just now – why not sit them down and say what you just said in your question. They may not like it, but I’m sure they love you.
Instead of telling them, why not pretend to ask them what the differences are? Ask them to take you around to different churches, and explain what they disagree with in another congregation’s statement of faith, and why. They may have a valid point, they might not, but it’s better to foster discussion than foster rebellion. As long as you’re under their roof, honouring them is highly recommended.
Honor your Mother and Father is the commandment of God’s word. What good is going to church if you are going to dishonor them? So think about your motives! If you are sure the Lord wants you to go then act on it, however you must tell them you honor them you just feel the Lord wants you to go there for now, and leave it their.
You just tell them.
It would be okay, in that you are an adult and can make up your own mind.
Whether it would be wise is another matter.
I spent years in the Eastern Orthodox church and left it. I did some research and learned that a lot of the beliefs and practices were pagan in origin. Much of this was introduced around Constantine’s time. You can learn all this, if you take the time to research it–not in Orthodox history books, better secular ones, which more neutral and much less biased.
Basically it is a system based on magic, that is a magic sort of religion. A lot of its thinking about salvation is based on Platonic thought (some of its theologians even admit this, but seek to justify it). Also, you will never be able to know for sure that you are saved; there is no assurance of salvation in the Orthodox Church. I once sat in a funeral with a man that had been Orthodox his whole life, a highly intelligent man, and the priest was talking about entering God’s Kingdom, and his comment was, “If we ever make it.”
So I’m not telling you not to go, but I advise you to investigate carefully. And that’s from my heart as well as from my head. I will l add this, before God, leaving that church and church system was one of the top 5 best decisions I ever made in my life. What a joy, even so today, years later. I went to Orthodoxy from Protestantism and then back to Protestant. And I am Christian and happily so.
there isn’t a right or wrong answer to how you tell your parents. you know your parents better then anybody else. you are more like your parents then you may realize. try finding the feeling you got the day you first learned about the greek orthodox church. next, find the feeling you got when you decided to go to their church. next, what is the best time of the month, day and time of day and pick it. but, don’t do it. check out the mood they are in and their attitudes. now try to relate to them and see if you are feeling like them, remember you are very much like them.
people raised in a church are sometimes not as spiritually strong a converts. converts often have faced many trails and challenges since they don’t live in a controlled setting.
ask yourself something, will joining the greek church change any habits in the home. will there be anything which will separate you from the normal family activities or will you be telling them i have to do these things. if, your not careful, you could be living in your car. everything you are doing with and without them may need to stay the same.
it means alot to a parent to see and feel their child is happy. if, they fail to see a change in you and you act the same. they may have some concerns. most of the time when somebody experiences new things, especially, things associated with religion a person is lifted.
remember to let them ask you questions. with every religion, there is a main focus or core to what defines the church. it is important that you find this out right away. very much like if looking for a good company to go to work for. good luck.
What kind of Methodists are they? Some would think that’s great while others would think that you’re terrible for doing so.
Mate, as a convert to Orthodoxy with a step-mum who’s nominally Muslim and a relatively irreligious family otherwise, I must say that you owe it to yourself to find the Truth.
I was a Seventh Day Baptist (search for them if you like) and was very happy as such being convinced that we followed the Holy Bible more exactly than all other denominations. But once God showed me the Truth of the Ancient Faith via the Coptic branch of the Orthodox Church, as much as I looked for alternatives to the Truth, I couldn’t help but be honest and become one with the Church of the Apostles.
Pray for me please O right-hearted one.
Use this tactic, it’s a little cruel but it works.
Tell them their biggest fear for you.
Mom and Dad I’m gay
Or mom and dad i’m going to jail
Or mom and dad I knocked up a Swedish Prositute.
Then say, it’s not true.
I just want to go to a Greek Orthodox Church.
They will be relieved.
Or, you could just tell them, they might surprise you.
Good luck!
just drine over…we Orthodox always welcome inquirers
ifthey start complaining talk about your reasons -which would probbaly be the beauty of the Liturgy unchanged doctrine
even the services have not changed in centuries. The only difrence between the Liturgy in the US and the ltirugy in 7th century Greece is language. I used to take a taxi to liturgy
One, you are already old enough, so they shudn’t block you.
Two, make them understand why Orthodoxy is good for you. They might even change! And its not like your changing your religion, its just a denomination: different names, different looks, but one family!
You start going there, they will know. But is it totally opposed to your parents’ faith. In that case, you should have sufficient reasons to take such a step.
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