RE: Forced Prayer
August 10, 2016 at 1:16 am
(This post was last modified: August 10, 2016 at 1:26 am by Bunburryist.)
You're not going to convince them they're wrong, and at your age you will be essentially powerless in the context of the Mosque. You are in a weak position, and there's not much you can do about it.
For the time being, perhaps you can play "dumb kid who is confused" - "Golly, gee whiz, Mom and Dad - I'm just so confused!" Don't outright reject them or their beliefs - it's called "politics." You're going to learn that there are a lot of times in life (family, work, etc.) where we either can't or don't want to just say what we believe - regardless how sure we are that we are right. I have an old aunt who I love very much and who is never going to change her beliefs. I would never tell her I don't believe in God, because I know it would hurt her very much, and it wouldn't do a bit of good for anyone. If she asked, I would just beat around the bush. We have to pick our battles. When you are old enough to move out on your own - then you can bet all brave and "in your face" about this stuff. Play it cool, try not to make waves. Never say "I don't believe in God" - say "I'm not sure what I believe." (Strictly speaking - logically speaking - you do not KNOW there is no God. You only KNOW that you don't believe in one.) Don't say "I don't believe the Koran is the word of God" - say, "There are a lot of things in the Koran that I'm not sure about."
Something you need to understand is that your parents didn't get up one day and think - "Hey, let's be closed minded idiots and brain-wash our kids because we hate them and want to ruin their minds!" I'm going to guess that your parents really do love you, and really do want the best for you. Just because we don't believe in god doesn't mean we should necessarily go around wantonly slapping the people who love us in the face with our dis-belief - no matter how sure we are that we are right. They would no doubt tell you that Allah is compassionate. Just because you don't believe doesn't mean YOU can't be compassionate. Try to understand and remember that they are not out to hurt you or make you miserable. What you see as them unfairly imposing their beliefs on you might be, to them, doing what they sincerely believe a good parent should do. Part of growing up is learning when we can, and when we can't do and say what we want or believe. One thing you can do is to show them, by your behavior, that non-believers can be kind, patient, and loving.
And you, of tender years,
Can't know the fears that your elders grew by,
And so please help them with your youth,
They seek the truth before they can die.
Teach your parents well,
Their children's hell will slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams
The one they picks, the one you'll know by.
(Teach Your Children Well - Crosby, Stills, and Nash)
I left out the last two - and I think most important lines -
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you will cry,
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.
For the time being, perhaps you can play "dumb kid who is confused" - "Golly, gee whiz, Mom and Dad - I'm just so confused!" Don't outright reject them or their beliefs - it's called "politics." You're going to learn that there are a lot of times in life (family, work, etc.) where we either can't or don't want to just say what we believe - regardless how sure we are that we are right. I have an old aunt who I love very much and who is never going to change her beliefs. I would never tell her I don't believe in God, because I know it would hurt her very much, and it wouldn't do a bit of good for anyone. If she asked, I would just beat around the bush. We have to pick our battles. When you are old enough to move out on your own - then you can bet all brave and "in your face" about this stuff. Play it cool, try not to make waves. Never say "I don't believe in God" - say "I'm not sure what I believe." (Strictly speaking - logically speaking - you do not KNOW there is no God. You only KNOW that you don't believe in one.) Don't say "I don't believe the Koran is the word of God" - say, "There are a lot of things in the Koran that I'm not sure about."
Something you need to understand is that your parents didn't get up one day and think - "Hey, let's be closed minded idiots and brain-wash our kids because we hate them and want to ruin their minds!" I'm going to guess that your parents really do love you, and really do want the best for you. Just because we don't believe in god doesn't mean we should necessarily go around wantonly slapping the people who love us in the face with our dis-belief - no matter how sure we are that we are right. They would no doubt tell you that Allah is compassionate. Just because you don't believe doesn't mean YOU can't be compassionate. Try to understand and remember that they are not out to hurt you or make you miserable. What you see as them unfairly imposing their beliefs on you might be, to them, doing what they sincerely believe a good parent should do. Part of growing up is learning when we can, and when we can't do and say what we want or believe. One thing you can do is to show them, by your behavior, that non-believers can be kind, patient, and loving.
And you, of tender years,
Can't know the fears that your elders grew by,
And so please help them with your youth,
They seek the truth before they can die.
Teach your parents well,
Their children's hell will slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams
The one they picks, the one you'll know by.
(Teach Your Children Well - Crosby, Stills, and Nash)
I left out the last two - and I think most important lines -
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you will cry,
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.
