Conservative father? [Spirituality & Religion]

I just want to start off with saying that I respect my father very much. He has been married to my mother for 41 years and shows her love and respect and he has strong morals and values. With that being said though, he is very religious, in which there is nothing wrong with that, but he pushes his beliefs on to me. For example, I grew up Catholic and he told a few times, if I don't get married in a church someday, he won't come to my wedding, so I if I chose to get married on a beach he wouldn't attend. The thing is, religion is important to me, but it's important to me because I want it to be, not because of my father's opinion. I even had a discussion with him a while ago saying, people have the right to choose what religion they want to be and feel what is right for them and his response was, you were raised Catholic, so you should remain that way. Is this what a conservative father is? Again I respect him very much, so please no rude comments.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

VeronicaJane

LOL. Cradle Catholics are Catholic forever. No matter how many times you change denomination or be atheist. Inevitably it will start with "I grew up Catholic", I was raised Catholic, but..." etc.

As a adult, you can choose what you want, just examine your reasons.

Your father is old school. That can be different than conservative. It sounds more authoritarian.

You are in your upper 20's. Parents should have transitioned from being 'my rules or hit the highway', to more of a relationship between adults.... albeit senior and junior adults.

If you choose to get married on the beach, fine. Just understand Dad won't be there. He is entitled to his beliefs as much as you are.

summerlove · 31-35, F

@VeronicaJane I don't want to get married on a beach, I want to get married in a church someday and I do respect his beliefs. I think it's absolutely fine to raise children your beliefs and I'm just talking in general here, but once you're an adult, parents have to let their children decide what they want to believe in, yes you can guide them and give them advice, but ultimately it's their decision.

VeronicaJane

@summerlove oh I definitely agree. But it can be a difficult dance for some parents to make that transition as the kids spread their wings.

Dad sounds more authoritarian. That can happen whether someone is liberal or conservative. Some may confuse the two, but they are separate.