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I hope you can help with this dilemma.

I have been reading about buddhism recently. I have often thought about becoming a Buddhist as I believe in karma and have always loved animals and all other living things. My parents and family are all Christian. They have always believed that I have been Christian all along, even though I have been atheist for a longtime. I told my parents that I want to change my religion, and they are going crazy.

I don't know what to do now. Its as if I'm being told off for having my own opinion.

Faith is something of personal choice but alos with it comes the understanding and tolerance that perhaps others, who mainly fear chaince including parents might always not see eye to eye with what we percieve as real and true to us. The more I delve deeper into faith, the less and less I put a label on it. I think that when you go to your parents just enjoytheir company and keep your own faith more private. Show it more in your compassion and udnerstanding than in an outward display of ritualistic expression. Most people who are set in their ways find it harder to accept their kids changing as they fear it will take their children away from them in more ways than one. It is an insecurity issue more than even a faith issue. There are many sides to being a Buddhist or Christian or Hindu or Muslim and in this case all you need to show is the side of Avalokiteshwara or the Compassionate One. Just accept their reaction for now and soak it up, don't fight it. Eventually it will wear off as long as you can show them the love and Compassion that comes with becoming enlighjtened on a specific path.

I guess you are old enough to decide for yourself. As long as your new chosen religion would make you a better person, i can not see anything wrong about it. I believe that we just call God in different names but it is still the same God who created all.

Faith is something of personal choice but alos with it comes the understanding and tolerance that perhaps others, who mainly fear chaince including parents might always not see eye to eye with what we percieve as real and true to us. The more I delve deeper into faith, the less and less I put a label on it. I think that when you go to your parents just enjoytheir company and keep your own faith more private. Show it more in your compassion and udnerstanding than in an outward display of ritualistic expression. Most people who are set in their ways find it harder to accept their kids changing as they fear it will take their children away from them in more ways than one. It is an insecurity issue more than even a faith issue. There are many sides to being a Buddhist or Christian or Hindu or Muslim and in this case all you need to show is the side of Avalokiteshwara or the Compassionate One. Just accept their reaction for now and soak it up, don't fight it. Eventually it will wear off as long as you can show them the love and Compassion that comes with becoming enlighjtened on a specific path.

That is a well though out reply.  If a person is "forced" to go the church of their parent's there is no problem with that.  Learn all you can and you will find that Buddhism will just enhance your life.

I hope you can help with this dilemma.

I have been reading about buddhism recently. I have often thought about becoming a Buddhist as I believe in karma and have always loved animals and all other living things. My parents and family are all Christian. They have always believed that I have been Christian all along, even though I have been atheist for a longtime. I told my parents that I want to change my religion, and they are going crazy.

I don't know what to do now. Its as if I'm being told off for having my own opinion.

Tell your parents to build a bridge and get over it. Christianity is their choice and if they don't like your choice perhaps they need to understand what it is you are choosing before going crazy. If they cannot be bothered understanding the Buddhist way then perhaps they might have to review what unconditional love is....that is supposedly taught by Christians.

Tell your parents to build a bridge and get over it. Christianity is their choice and if they don't like your choice perhaps they need to understand what it is you are choosing before going crazy. If they cannot be bothered understanding the Buddhist way then perhaps they might have to review what unconditional love is....that is supposedly taught by Christians.

Hi jacky!

I have to laugh at your first line!  Telling a persons parents to get over it is not really going to work or in line with Buddhism!  Although compassion does not mean to simply go through life with no feelings towards self, and to be a pushover, there are many ways we can blend in with life.