I'm getting confirmed Catholic...

[Mystical]

I think Lion hit the nail on the head. Popularity plays a huge role in Wunsbees life-she must go with the flow of the fish or get run over and tossed right out of the group. The more spiritual in faith you are, the better off you'll be in your personal life with the Christians. If you're spiritual enough you could even be popular!

Hey Wunsbee, why don't you seek out council from one of the priests with your family present? Tell your parents you have questions and want to talk to the priest about them. That way you're not directly challenging your parents and it will be seen as you wanting help with your faith. In the process, your parents might just raise their own questions and at the very least understand you better.

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I've heard some crazy Catholic stories though so don't just give them both barrels! pick one issue at a time and ask enough questions to be appropriate --humbly. Otherwise who knows what kind of things they'll do. Ivy here at the forums has some very interesting horror stories.
Talk to Ivy She knows Catholics.

[Wunsbee]

I'm 16

Really? I was confirmed at 12, which I thought was standard. Worst of all, all the preparation for that, plus my first confession and communion was done in school, which didn't seem weird to me at the time but now it's clear to me what it is - indoctrination.

The church is big and worldwide. Age can vary. Were I am it is done in 9th or 10th grade.

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Plus, do you really want to spend every Sunday in a church for the next 10 years while you wait for the courage to tell them the truth?

I think not.

Why 10 years? haha I'll be out of the house by then

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Lol I said for real because that's how I talk when I'm in disbelief, sorry
Hey can't you attend other worthwhile functions or clubs that 'conflict' with the rigorous church schedule? Just tell them you need to get your college preparatory academic clubs done. Pick something you like! I did school plays, it took lots of my time so I didn't have to go home.

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If I were you I'd make them feel guilty as hell for that, by telling them you'll go--but them forcing it on you is not going to change your mind, but rather: concrete it.

Well I have things that conflict. My mother is very catholic. I have to miss those things as "god comes first."

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Tell the truth Wunsbee.
It will set you free (and its easier to remember.)

Shame on people here for encouraging you to lie about your beliefs - your atheist beliefs.
The 5th Commandment says honor your parents.
The 9th Commandment says bearing false witness (lying) is wrong.

Be true to yourself. Go and hug your parents and talk to them in truth and love.

Dont worry about what people might think. Popularity is overrated.

Obviously telling the truth would be better. But he's 16 and his parents sound like ignorant bigoted bastards to me. They could throw him out! Its got nothing to do with popularity dumbass. I guess you've never been in this position have you

*She
I don't know if they would throw me out but If I was completely honest my whole family would erupt in drama. I'm talking meetings with priests, daily mass, whispered conversations, etc... They already say I have to go to meetings with priests for some of the things I say...

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Obviously telling the truth would be better. But he's 16 and his parents sound like ignorant bigoted bastards to me. They could throw him out! Its got nothing to do with popularity dumbass. I guess you've never been in this position have you

And no, I have never been in that position of uncertainty. And i have been blessed with loving parents who taught me that if you have to lie to be popular then you are probably only "popular" with other liars.

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In honouring your parents you teach your children how to honour THEIRS

I don't lie to be popular.... Haha

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In your shoes I think I would just go with the flow for now, in fact take it as an opportunity.

I doubt you are going to be reconverted and being exposed to it will surely give you a far deeper basis for your atheism.

In all the church activities and retreats you have to take part in, do you ever suspect other kids of disbelief as well? It could be interesting to befriend, support and be supported by someone dealing with similar issues as yourself.

I'll keep an eye out, maybe there is(:

[My imaginary friend is GOD]

You're 16. Your parents can't force you to do anything you don't want to do. So fuck their religious bullshit. They tell you to talk to a priest, tell that priest how you really feel. What the fuck is he gonna do anyway? Not a damn thing. What are you parents going to do, ground you? You probably have a phone and can text your friends if you want to. If they take away your phone, the internet is everywhere. The only thing they might do is kick you out of the house, but you probably have an understanding friend or family member that would take you in. Don't worry, be happy. It's all good. Etc.

[Wunsbee]

You're 16. Your parents can't force you to do anything you don't want to do. So fuck their religious bullshit.

You're right, they can't force me to but they can make my life hell. Thanks for the input.

[The Reality Salesman01]

You're looking at it all wrong. It's fun! Not hell. All you have to do is continue to raise objections. You can do that totally respectfully. What they're used to is being able to shut people up with artificially profound statements (deepities). That is only effective when the person asking the questions is seeking affirmation. It is useless to people that are seeking truth. Look around, do the theists here have much luck offering us the shit they hear at church? No. Why? Because the things they say are nothing more than cognitive sinkholes! We're not seeking affirmation, we're seeking truth! It's the difference in being a sheep and being a a skeptic. Engage everyone, and challenge everything. If it doesn't standup logically, don't pretend to be satisfied. Ultimately, they're gonna resort to telling you to have faith. That's when you know you've won. If you can reduce their responses to "faith", it's a victory. That's their way of telling you that they don't have a clue, but it's also how they pretend to know things they do not know. "Faith" is their way of telling you that. Have fun!

[Lion IRC]

...Quit pushing your guilt and wonky ass moralistic codswallop on this kid.

The Op didnt mention anything about a preference for hearing just your type of wonky ass moralistic codswallop.

But feel free to continue using atheism as the justification for advocating blatant dishonesty.

[Optimistic Mysanthrope]

Being antagonistic is unlikely to get you very far. When I was a teenager, I used to get into arguments with my parents about various things. Using logic, reason and facts to defeat their arguments simply resulted in me being called a smartarse and accused of playing word games.

I would advise that you don't shove your views in their faces, but neither should you hide them. If they really are that set in their ways about evolution, gay marriage etc... then no amount of arguing is going to change their minds any time soon - no matter how reasoned and logical, no matter what facts you present.

I was brought up church of england and I don't remember a time when believed a single word of it. I was forced into getting confirmed when I was 9, not because my parents were particularly religious, it was simply so I could get into a good school. I don't know what the catholic version is like, but it really wasn't that bad. I had to go to a few bible studies beforehand, but that was about it. I used to have a pretty damn good memory (at least, until I addled my brain with drugs and alcohol ) so it was all pretty easy. I hated every second of all that religious crap, but it sounds like I didn't have to put up with anywhere near as much of it as you do.

Silly question, but have you tried talking to your parents about it? Or at least the most reasonable out of the two? Anger really is not your friend when having those kinds of conversations. I've always found it useful to use phrases such as "I can see your point", "I understand where you're coming from" etc... Try to avoid taking a contrary stance as much as possible, it should get you further.

Also, as someone else has suggested, consider talking to your priest. It obviously depends upon the individual, but I find most priests have a lot of experience with talking to people about their problems and they can have some good advice. He may even be willing to talk to your parents for you. Ultimately though, it really does depend on your priest. If he's an arse then you probably shouldn't bother

[Bad Wolf]

The Op didnt mention anything about a preference for hearing just your type of wonky ass moralistic codswallop.

But feel free to continue using atheism as the justification for advocating blatant dishonesty.

I really don't think you are getting this lion. She could get chucked out or have a huge argument. That is the justification for lying, not atheism. She isn't lying because she is an atheist, she's lying because she is scared of the repercussions of being an atheist. But feel free to just totally ignore this post, as you do with anything that challenges what you believe.

[Mystical]

What do you think would happen if you asked your parents what the repurcussions would be if you chose not to be confirmed? Then you could feel them out that way..

[Wunsbee]

What do you think would happen if you asked your parents what the repurcussions would be if you chose not to be confirmed? Then you could feel them out that way..

My mother won't really have any of it, even though I am in disagreement with the way she thinks I should say that she is very loving, does a lot for me and I don't think she would kik me out or anything like that. Thing is, I know that if I don't get confirmed and am honest, my life will be hell for a while. Not just with my immediate family but with my whole extended family on both sides. They're all Catholic. It would be just awful!