What can I do to help my parents stop worrying about my faith? [Spirituality & Religion]

I was raised atheist, by atheist parents. Recently, fortunately, I've come to accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. My parents do not like that. They are geniunely afraid I'll end up in a cult because of my belief in God.

What can I do to make it easier for them? I don't want to compromise my Christian values (even though it's not like they cause conflicts with their lifestyle that much anyway), but I don't want them to worry so much about me, there's simply no need for it.

I've been trying to act lovingly and acceptingly towards them even when we argue about faith, which seems to work. Any further advice?

Similar personal experiences are also welcome.

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Mamapolo2016 · F

My folks were Christian and rode out a series of issues of faith with me and some of my siblings.

Probably the best way is to keep a cool head, both regarding your beliefs, and their worry/criticism about them. If they won’t go to worship with you, at least on a surveillance mission, introduce them to some of your friends so they can see they don’t wear cultish robes and shave their heads.

It stands to reason it will feel alien to them, just as it does to parents with faith when their child announces they don’t believe.

Live by your principles but don’t shut them out.

Boallods · 26-30, M

@Mamapolo2016 I do have to admit my additude is a little bit arogant when talking to them about these things.

I'm in no way excusing myself - only God can do that - but the simple minded, paranoid arguments they offer, irritate me. Plus they treat me like a crazy person, implying I should be visiting a psychiatrist because of my faith.

But I know what Jesus wants me to do, and I'll try to give my best.

Mamapolo2016 · F

There are few things more frustrating than discovering what you believe to be the truth - and being treated like a maniac.

When you believe something they consider irrational, they are going to treat you as though you are not in your right mind. One of the issues believers have is anger at that.

I don’t think they can help what they believe unless or until something happens to change that.

Your mission is not to argue them into submission or at least silence. God does not need a defense attorney.

Your mission is to show by your actions that you are changed for the better by your choices. Cool head, warm heart, unfailing love.

I am remembering a friend of mine (she was raised devout Catholic, me as a Baptist) going with me to a seriously fundamentalist tent revival meeting. It was wild. People were dancing and yelling “Hallelujah for the fire!”, leaping over the rows of chairs, speaking in tongues. I don’t mock that - people worship how they worship. My Catholic friend clutched my arm and whispered, “Are they going to hurt us?”

That’s how your parents feel when you talk about believing something they don’t comprehend. Be gentle with them.

When they speak of their worry and want you to ‘talk to somebody about this,’ reassure them that you have no inclination to chop off the heads of non-believers, and that you are sad they are worried about you, but if you all are a little patient, they will at least see where you are going is not dangerous.