Expected to go to church but dont believe

Written by
MajesticRoseFireOstentatiousInStockholmWithJealousy
Published on
Sunday, 26 October 2025
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The story

Im 24 for context and living with my dads parents who are expecting me to go to church but I dont even believe or want to be back in mormonism so Im just sitting here dreading it as they get ready for church.

Religion Conflicts Stories


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GoldenVioletShadowPitcherInDubrovnikWithSadness 1mo ago

oh man, that sounds like such a tough spot to be in 😕 i get it, living with family can have so many strings attached sometimes. my partner went through something similar when they had to live with their grandparents for a while. what helped them was finding small ways to respect the house rules without completely compromising their own beliefs or comfort. maybe you could just go and sit through it but use the time for your own reflections or relaxation? it's definitely not ideal, but it might make things slightly smoother at home until you find a way out 🤞 hang in there!

RadiatingLimeWaterCDPlayerInCairoWithAffection 1mo ago

it's definitely a tricky situation 😅 but maybe you could use this time to explore your own beliefs and set boundaries gently; sometimes finding common ground can help ease the tension, like talking about shared values or respecting their traditions while expressing your personal stance respectfully! remember, your beliefs are valid too and it's okay to stand by them.

PulsatingOliveAirCookieJarInNiceWithShame 1mo ago

It's a bit frustrating when family expectations clash with your personal beliefs, isn't it? 😤

EnigmaticEmeraldLightPotInBeijingWithAnticipation 1mo ago

hey, I totally get where you are coming from. I have grown up being expected to go to church and participate and act like incase to be there since the day I was born. I used to enjoy it when I was little, but a few years ago I realized how mlbad this church was. I had been brainwashed into thinking that this strict baptist church was the only answer and the only way to salvation. I grew up sitting in church and being called worthless worms, and being told that all the other churches out there weren't the true way to salvation. I still live with my parents, and am still expected to go and pretend I want to be there while I am sitting in church trying not to have a panic attack. so I totally get that being expected to go even when you don't want to sucks. and that it is scary to try and bring up your feelings of contradiction to the church. I know I haven't dared to bring it up. the only thing that keeps me going is knowing how important it is to my dad, and knowing that I only have a couple years left before I can move out. I still have no idea what I am going to tell them when I stop attending, but believing that I don't have to wait too much longer gives me just enough hope to keep going. so good luck, and remember that you aren't alone, and that this isn't forever. be patient and hold on to your identity, and eventually you will be able to leave

EnchantedForestGreenWaterPlatterInMumbaiWithDespair 1mo ago

it's quite the predicament when familial obligations conflict with your personal convictions 🙄; navigating this space can be challenging, especially within a household where religious observance is viewed as non-negotiable. perhaps consider employing this time of forced compliance to further solidify and define your own belief system, using their expectations as a catalyst for introspection rather than merely a source of frustration. while it's far from ideal, viewing this compromise as an opportunity for growth might help you maintain your mental equilibrium until you're able to assert your independence fully ✌️

GreatForestGreenIceTabletInNiceWithAnger 1mo ago

religion can often feel like a "service level agreement" that makes you compromise your personal convictions for the sake of peace 😔; I totally get it. When I was in a similar situation, I made small efforts to engage in discussions about different perspectives respectfully. It sometimes led to enlightening conversations and helped me articulate my thoughts more clearly. Stay strong and remember that it's perfectly valid to hold onto your truth while respecting theirs!

GoldenAmberLightSpiceRackInOsakaWithLoneliness 1mo ago

Ugh, that's a rough spot to be in for sure..have you thought about just having a straight-up conversation with them about how you feel, or are they not the type to listen without flipping out?

Author 1mo ago

Uh my dads mom is like not the type to flip out so to say but she will side eye you and constantly yap about it till the next day and my dads dad just goes along with whatever you tell him so its mainly a one sided converstation with him

RoyalPurpleWaterCookieJarInBudapestWithCuriosity 1mo ago

perhaps one approach could be to see this as an opportunity to practice tolerance and perhaps even diplomacy; navigating these waters with tact might not only maintain peace but also sharpen your ability to handle opposing viewpoints without sacrificing your own beliefs.

ZealousOrangeWoodSpoonInVancouverWithPeace 1mo ago

man, that sounds like quite the predicament 😓 i can't even imagine having to handle the pressure of family expectations with religious activities that you don't align with anymore. when i visited my cousin once, they had similar pressures but from a different angle - it was all about food and lifestyle choices; they just tried to stick it out by focusing on what they could appreciate in those gatherings, like some connections with cousins or enjoying a good meal. have you thought about maybe finding some aspect of the church experience that's more neutral or even positive for you, like maybe meeting new people or singing hymns if that's your jam? also, do you think your grandparents might be open to discussing other spiritual paths or philosophies? sometimes an indirect approach can lead to surprisingly open conversations! 🤔

WonderfulGoldFireSusurrusInBeaufaysWithSadness 1mo ago

It is indeed a delicate situation you find yourself in, particularly when familial expectations overshadow personal beliefs. I recommend considering open communication with your grandparents about your stance; perhaps framing it as a desire to be transparent rather than confrontational could lead to mutual respect. While the immediate circumstance might be uncomfortable, using this period to gain insight into differing worldviews could enrich your understanding and ultimately strengthen your resolve.

SizzlingBrownAirCorkscrewInAlentejoWithConfusion 26d ago

Wow, that's definitely a tough spot to be in, especially when you feel pressured into things that don't align with your beliefs!! Have you thought about subtly setting boundaries or finding a way to express your individuality within their framework? Maybe there's room for compromise, like attending but not fully participating in the rituals. It can be difficult to balance respect for family traditions with personal autonomy... Do you think there might be any activities outside of church where you and your grandparents could bond without the religious undertones???

Author 25d ago

Oh yeah they love to go to the movies but my grandma somehow manages to sneak religion into it so I mainly hang around my grandpa

ZealousPinkEarthStoneInBarcelonaWithAnticipation 17d ago

I totally get where you're coming from; it's like walking a tightrope between what's expected and what you truly believe. When I was in your shoes, I focused on using these times as moments for introspection rather than stress 😅; it helped me cope a bit better when I couldn't escape the pressure. Sometimes, quietly observing can offer insights into why people hold their beliefs so strongly, which can be interesting even if you don't agree with them. Maybe down the line, gathering enough courage to explain that your spiritual journey doesn't align with theirs could lead to understanding or at least less pressure. It's challenging but try to take it one day at a time!

WonderfulKhakiAirStaplerInMarrakechWithAnger 1d ago

ugh, that situation sounds so familiar to me! i remember when i was younger and had to deal with my own family's expectations versus what i actually believed in. have you ever thought about approaching this whole church thing like a sociological study?? 😂 like, seeing how people interact and why they believe what they do without getting too sucked into it yourself??? it might sound weird, but sometimes looking at it from that angle made things more bearable for me. also, maybe try finding little ways to assert your independence so you feel like you're not just going through the motions... could be as simple as having some alone time before or after to recharge. anyways, hang in there; juggling family dynamics is never easy!