Okay, so I said I was a Christian again. Guess what? I don't even wanna believe in God now ever since I saw how my parents acted towards me for not denouncing evolution as bullcrap. I think it is possible. My parents attacked me for it, and kept trying to force me to believe their way. They told me how stupid I must be for researching evolution a bit.

I was being stupid since my dad is so strong on his beliefs, he probably feels no shame in insulting me. I should have kept quiet, but I didn't know what would happen. Both my mom and dad begin belittling me over something so insignificant. They act like I did wrong for something as harmless as just thinking something other than one thing is possible.

What's so wrong with this? Here's some problems I will go more into detail about.

My parents were making it more easy to notice that they were wanting me to believe in what they believed. Even though I'm not their brain. They insulted me. They destroyed any thought of good I had about Christianity. They destroyed my faith in them as decent Christians. They acted with hate, and they now have a daughter who probably never will get over what happened.

I always was taught love. I was taught to be tolerant. They went against what they taught me. They began showing the ugly side of themselves, and only thinking for themselves. If I even told them how hurt I truly am, doubt they'd blame themselves.

Is this kind of behavior something God wants? I'm renouncing all Christian beliefs I had until I see different. I feel like my parents just want me to be a Christian just because they are Christians. The only thing I can think of when I think of God anymore is hate just because of this.

Now. I don't hate religion, but I do feel like I can't believe in God if the people who taught me the morals they wanted to teach me act so unlike Christ just because of something that wouldn't change their lives to Hell or anything.

Here's the question, is God seriously approving such behavior as what I was emotionally wounded by? Is God's idea of love killing any idea of love? Is God a higher power that actually just wants people to believe in him just so they will? Is there any right or wrong at all in how my parents were behaving towards me?

I'm going to be blunt:

Your parents aren't perfect and expecting them to be perfect is ignorant. Your parents are on the same journey that you are. They are trying to find the truth (and they think they have it). Don't renounce everything you believe because 2 imperfect people made a mistake. If you are going to do this then you'll end up believing in nothing because everyone in the world makes mistakes. Get over it. Believing in God and having faith in him doesn't make people perfect. It doesn't change people overnight.

"is God seriously approving such behavior as what I was emotionally wounded by?" - No.
"Is God's idea of love killing any idea of love?" - No.
"Is God a higher power that actually just wants people to believe in him just so they will?" - huh?
"Is there any right or wrong at all in how my parents were behaving towards me?" - What your parents did was wrong, but I think they had good intentions. They would have gotten a lot farther if they had told you their feelings on the subject and then let you decide for yourself. Parents are supposed to guide their kids on the journey, not drag them along. Give your parents a chance. They are doing what they think is best. I'm a parent and I can understand, to a degree, why they reacted the way they did. Try asking them why they disagree with evolution so strongly. Have a conversation without having to be right.

geeogree : You're right. I'm glad I got an answer. I know asking them why would just be a disaster, though. I'm too scared to confront them, actually.

Thank you, again.

you're not confronting them right now though.... all I suggested was to ask them why they felt as strongly as they do about evolution. You would be surprised at how understanding parents can be when you approach them in a mature manner. Even try to take the time to lay out the ground rules you want for the conversation.

I'm just a bit older than you though and I've actually done this before with my parents and it worked quite well.

But you don't have to if you don't feel comfortable. All I ask is that you don't lose your faith because of the imperfections of a few people. If we all did that then no one would follow any religion anymore.

Ooh, gotta good one: Proverbs 22:6A - "Train up your child in the way he should go."

Your parents are just trying to do what's best for you. Respect them, but you don't have to listen to EVERYTHING they say.

Robert7 : I can see how they were wanting what was best for me, but that verse just raises a ton of other questions. How does telling a child they should believe one way and not the other go with that verse, for one? How does calling one idea stupid make it some sort of training?

"How does telling a child they should believe one way and not the other go with that verse, for one?" I don't know your parents, but I believe they're just trying to distinguish "right" from "wrong" in you mind. It sounds like they believe that God made man in it's current way, shape, and form from how they interpret the Bible.

"How does calling one idea stupid make it some sort of training?" 2 Timothy 3:16 - "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness." Again, just from what it sounds like, it seems as if they're just trying to make you believe what they do, which may or may not be correct. In my opinion, I don't believe in evolution. And your parents believe the same, and want you to believe that also. Hope this helps.

I think I can also answer a previous question, unbeknownst to geeo.

"Is God a higher power that actually just wants people to believe in him just so they will?" No, God wants you to believe in Him so that your can have eternal life in Heaven through the forgiveness of sins he gave you on the cross. Satan wants you to have eternal life in Hell, in darkness and sin and pain, but God wants to help you. And all he's asking is that you believe. ...That's how I see it anyways lol.