Comment by Samantha Kedzierski on January 14, 2012 at 1:15pm

you may be a minor and there are things minors HAVE to do, but being forced to go to church is their own ignorance they feel they can force on you. legally, they cannot force you to go to church. if you were a baby, then you wouldnt have a choice. you have a choice being 16.

Comment by Kenny Howse on January 14, 2012 at 1:18pm

Totally agree with Samantha!

Comment by Colleen on January 14, 2012 at 1:29pm

It seems that she really can't force you to do any of these things, but she can and likely will continue to badger you and/or withhold other privileges that she mediates until you do.  My boyfriend was able to strike a deal with his mother: he reads a book of her choosing and she reads a book of his.  I might try to go this route, but it doesn't sound like she'd be too open to the idea.  So go, prove her wrong.  It's not like you'll burn in a fire the second you cross the threshold, and so long as you continue to think critically and learn and grow, I would not worry about being brainwashed.

Comment by Cara Coleen on January 14, 2012 at 1:40pm

Whether or not your parents put her in charge is irrelevant. She can't make you do anything; she's not your guardian legally.

I feel torn on whether you should go myself. Lots of arguments have been made that you might learn something, which could be true. At the same time, if you're going against your will, you might not be able to objectively absorb anything and just slip into a self-induced coma... sometimes "the stupid" is too much for a young mind to bear. I know that when I was in high school, I didn't pay attention. I didn't want to be there, so my little brain wandered right out of the classroom (and sometimes my body didn't show up, either). Once I started college, and it was a choice and a personal investment, I paid attention and ended up with higher scores than I'd ever received in high school.

I think it's important that you want to be there. In fact, I think your sister should be of the same opinion. She can't be so out-of-touch that she doesn't realize you're in high school, and if you don't want to do something, you're not going to. If you're made to, you're certainly not going to get anything out of it. She may just end up making you even more bitter against religion (which I doubt is possible in your case lol... religion is ridiculous).

So, really it comes down to you and choosing your battles. Is it worth the drama to make a stand and not go? Would it get her off your back if you went a couple times? The reality is she probably won't let up on you no matter what you do. If you go, she may start badgering you about whether you've found a place in your heart for Jebus. She won't be satisfied until your singing his praises. Going may give you temporary respite, but it may also delay the inevitable confrontation of: I don't believe this stupid shit leave me alone!!! ;)

Comment by John R. Alley on January 14, 2012 at 2:12pm

Is your sister your legal guardian? Other that that I don't see how she can make you do anything. But some of the other suggestions are sound; your could also make an agreement with you sister, you go to church with her and she agrees to actually read some Hitchens or Dawkins.

Comment by Seth Hunter peterson on January 14, 2012 at 6:58pm

I broke a deal with her, I am not goin to church but I do have to go to a frikking 2 hour bible study...in return she reads God is Not Great, The God Delusion and the Portable Atheist. And well a Bible Dust cover over my copy of The God Delusion fits just fine YES!

Comment by Matthew on January 14, 2012 at 9:24pm

You could have some fun with it. Read more on arguments and ask tons of questions. Eventually your sister may get fed up with you in the church being all skeptical and whatnot. I would turn the tables on her.

Comment by Barry Eckert on January 14, 2012 at 10:32pm

And well a Bible Dust cover over my copy of The God Delusion fits just fine YES!

lol pretty good solution to what to read in bible study.

I was raised in the Church of Christ, which is about as fundamentalist as it gets, and also was sent to a C of C school until 9th grade (got straight A's in Bible, too). As a result, I can usually devastate any Christian attempt at what they consider "debate". Not a great feat, maybe, given how insipid the arguments are, but whatever...

I've also had the experience of being homeless, and living in a shelter program that included Christian "classes" (brainwashing). The relentless objections to faulty logic and just plain wrong claims of fact eventually made these people agree that I didn't have to go to bible class anymore. I think that was mainly to protect the retired priest who taught the class from getting apoplexy. Remember, the thing the religious cannot abide is someone well-informed. So, being a 'thorn in their side', to use a Pauline reference, may be just the ticket.

Comment by Reggie on January 15, 2012 at 3:32am

Any time a guy says he needs help with his sister, I tend to offend him with my solution.

Comment by Miles on January 15, 2012 at 8:30am

Where do mom and/or dad fit into this equation?  Tell your sister you are old enough to make your own decisions and be firm in that.  What denomination by the way?

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