I recently divulged to my parents that I wasn't sure I wanted to return to the Catholic Church. I never went much as a child, and thus was able to explore and develop my own opinions on organized religion. They were, let's say, not quite supportive. We had a big discussion about it and I said that I wanted to take a World Religious Studies class in college to become more knowledgeable and gain more perspective on the matter.

They are very wary of my decision and ask that no matter what I do, I remain a Catholic. I don't want them to feel like I'm betraying them, betraying my heritage, but I just don't see things the way “they” want me to see them.

What would you do? Would you go to church just to make your parents happy, or would you go your own way and explore things for yourself?

EDIT// This is not for advice. I just wanted to know what others might do.

Me and my parents share the same belief as for a religion goes, but I will admit when i was staying with them there were certain i didnt feel like going to church, dont get me wrong, i love my church, but i guess i wasnt as religious as them. But if for some reason I didnt share the same belief as them I would tell them I would like to explore and figure it out for myself. Sure they may feel a lil hurt and maybe even angry but in the end it is your life and your decison.

my parents are atheist and they don't care much about religions or anything. they're wary about the whole christian point of view that is anti-evolution and all. being someone who used to be a very devout christian, at many times, i'd go against their views for something that i thought was right. now that i think back on it, some things i did were quite foolish. yet still, i'd rather follow my heart than my parents' choice because i know what i want.

i would go my own way and explore things for myself. it's time for me to touch new things. i mean, i'm not a child any more. y should i still controlled by my parents? they know my character clearly. if i want sth very much , they just can't stop me.

Attending to church isn't a bad thing. I've been agnostic for a while, but I still go to church occasinally to please my nun cousin. Going to church is NOT going to make you lose what you believe in, does it? If it does, then re-think how strong your beliefs are and if they are worth believing.

you will become more knowledged and can really make a decision for yourself if you go. but if you really feel that strongly and just can't stand worshiping something you don't believe in (like me :rolleyes), then don't go. your parents shouldn't condemn you for believing something different than them. people have differentiating opinions in this world and people have to live with that.

I would probably disobey my parents..its my eternity thats at stake and making them happy is not as important as my faith. I wouldn't do anything that I don't believe in or participate in something i'm uncomfortable with.

This a critical time in all of our lives when we have to begin to act on our own accord without someone spoon-feeding us the world that we live in.

I've been through a similar situation with my parents and eventually, they backed off when they realized that I stood by my choices.

Often, I contemplate going into theology just so I can learn about religion as a whole instead of being forced into a certain sect of Christianity.

I wouldn't be so outright with what my choices because I'd keep it to myself and once I have full conviction in my choices and faith in my beliefs, then I'll make it known.

i would not go to church just to please my parents. if you are catholic because your parents are making you, than you might as well not have a religion at all. i would def explore different things to see what was right for me.

sometimes people say you have to make some decisions on your own and teachers and adults always tell you that and i think that this praticular decision should be made by you and i think you should just not go to church and do your world religous studies class

Ok I don't go to church but yeah i'd rather go my own way and explore more than do whatevery my mom told me. I hate being told what to do but i have to live with it when they tell me like go tobed, do your homework and junk like that.

You're forced to go to church because you have to in hopes that you'll go because you want to. I'm not fond of that concept.

i'm no one's servant, and i don't need to listen to anything they say. if i want to, i'll choose to. but having them make such a big decision for me? no way. i'd take my own path.

i usually take my parent's advice in consideration... i'd prolly follow my parents advice... but not to make them happy... just that they know what is best for me...

I hate it when parents try to force their religion down their kids throats. Religion is all about faith and believing, how can one truly believe if they only know one religion? If i was in your position I would just go for that class and explore other religions. You might discover that being Catholic is the way for you or maybe you will completely go the oppisite direction and turn to Satanism. It doesn't matter. Whatever faith you follow, it should be your choice.

I am planning on taking that class, but would it really bother you if your parents were against your beliefs? Would you lose any respect or...love, if they didn't appreciate your faiths?

i would follow my heart instead of my parents. because then youd be living their dream instead of yours. and i hate it when parents force their own children to do something they dont want to do, just for the parents' sake.

i think i would do both. probably go to church every other week. your parents shouldnt force you to go to church or something. but i think they want you to go to church, maybe thinking that it would help you make the right choices? so yeah, i think it would be nice just to go every other week or something.

I would just go to the church with them, i like seeing my parents happy and i know they just want the best for me and it's better cause ti changes how you act in the future.

yeah; i think i do both because you have your own choice; you live the life you want so you shouldnt have parents tell ing you what is bst even if they are your parents