My Adventures Through Theology and Beyond discussion

Alrighty, so:
-I'm not Catholic, but I understand the Catholic point of view;
-I have a better understanding of Catholicism that some Catholics;
-My parents don't know that I don't consider myself Catholic anymore;
-I don't agree with quite a bit of what the Catholic Church teaches and stands for: hierarchy, anti-gay marriage, excessive use of ritual and symbolism (though I see how that would work for some people), priests being unable to marry, the Pope putting women priests on the same level as pedophiles, so much more...

And...my dad just got back from church, and he said that the local priest is interested in having my dad and me teach youth ministry classes.

I don't want to explain to my parents that I don't consider myself Catholic anymore. It's not that I think they'll be upset or anything like that. It just seems like they might be disappointed, or that they might blame themselves for not bringing me to church more often or something like that. This just isn't something I want to deal with right now.

I could just say I don't have time, or that I'm not interested, but parents know that both of those things aren't true. And I wouldn't feel comfortable lying to them.

But should I help with the class if I don't believe in it? I would be able to do well teaching it, and I love teaching in general. The local priest is really great, and it would be great to work with him in the classes. And, if I go along with it, I won't have to bring up my religious thoughts.

Thoughts? Advice? Opinions?

Thanks, Beluga Girl. I appreciate your opinion. :D

What do you mean by how my parents influence my beliefs? Do you mean you think that I would be positively surprised? Or negatively?

I don't think that teaching a class would bring up controversy seeing as most youth groups really never discuss controversial subjects\

However if you feel uncomfortable teaching the class I would bring that up, you don't have to tell your parents that you don't considerer yourself Catholic, you could just say that you don't want or feel comfortable with teaching a class

I know your consider yourself a Friend, what are your parents views on Society Of Friends

Girl4beluga wrote: "????"

I just picked up from Rachel's other post that she considers herself a quaker

Courtney wrote: "I know your consider yourself a Friend, what are your parents views on Society Of Friends"

They don't really know what they are. My neighbor, despite my trying to explain otherwise, thinks they're a cult, though. (Some bizarre mix between the Amish and the FLDS groups) XD

I know my parents won't be upset or anything. I just don't really want to bring it up. Preferably, they'll find out when I don't get married in a Catholic church.

Courtney wrote: "I don't think that teaching a class would bring up controversy seeing as most youth groups really never discuss controversial subjects\

However if you feel uncomfortable teaching the class I would..."

Thanks for the advice, Courtney! :D That's a good point about how I probably wouldn't be discussing more controversial issues.

I don't know, honestly. I've tried bringing it up, and it just feels...awkward.

Which is really annoying because I hate hiding things from my parents. :( I just can't bring myself to bring it up. :S

I've never had to go through this, whenever a conversation is afoot I always just add my 2cents, parents talking about abortion, I just casually say that I am prochoice

Sorry you have to go through this Rachel, but in the end I think you will be stronger

Girl4beluga wrote: "lol that sucks"

what does

Sometimes you just want to break away from the beliefs that were instilled in you. Tell them the truth and state your reasons why you don't want to help with the ministry. Your parents will realize that you do have your own ideas and opinions and I am sure it will turn out okay. Did you go to church today, from your post, you didn't so explain the situation to your parents.

But the thing is that I sort of want to because I love teaching, but I'm not sure if I would be comfortable because of my own beliefs, which tend to conflict with the Church's teachings, and I feel like I would be doing it under false pretenses.

No, my dad went to church this morning, without me, and the priest approached him about both of us.

I don't know how much the church's teachings influence classes, my confirmation teacher told us that she personally believed that Jesus saved everyone not just Christians and that probobly goes against traditional Presbyterian theology

As basically everyone else has said...tell your parents. It will be difficult, undoubtedly. But in the end, they should accept your beliefs. Then say you'd still like to teach the class, if you could. You could bring a different perspective in to it :P

Thanks for the advice, Rachel. I really appreciate it. :)

:) Anytime ^-^

I think we'll all find that out next Sunday. :P

We shall see....