my family

                Coming from a Christian home, I’ve been raised to embrace the teachings of the bible. My parents in particular are extremely Christian and have always wanted me to continue in their beliefs. But there comes a time when a choice has to be made: continue or turn away?

                When I was younger, I had always listened to what my parents had to say about religion. I never second guessed it and I was always seemed to be happy where I was. In between all those brothers, all that love and warmth I felt every Friday and Sunday night. It was a place where it was ok to be all that you could be for god. But it became a place where that was the ONLY thing you could be. It was the ONLY way to live your life.

                As I grew, my cognitive dissonance expanded. I began to question miniscule verses of the bible and of the religion itself. Why must a woman always be submissive to her husband? Why does this religion translate the bible in a different way than other religions and where do these translations hail from? There were so many questions that couldn’t be answered. After I researched this religion for myself, I opted to discontinue following it. This was a well-kept secret of mine for a very long time, until I exposed it to my family.

                At first, my father was very hesitant of my discontinued attendance to the kingdom hall. He mentioned to me that I needed to notify the elders of my leaving, be a man, and step up to what I was going to decide for my life. But I was reluctant, and didn’t do anything about it. He was also somewhat displeased at the hair growing under my chin, which I think makes me an individual. My mom was more accepting to my departure. She told me “I respect your opinion and your views and I know that I’m going to need to tolerate your decisions as an adult”. My sister was very supportive. She gladly continued to accept me as the person I continue to proudly be.

                As you read this story, you find that it’s not much about family. In fact, it’s more about a young kids struggle to find himself in this world. But even though the immediate context may be about myself, the underlying message that this essay contains is the following: acceptance. My family has always had a plan for me. They wanted me to grow up to be someone I don’t want to be. They want me to follow something I don’t truly believe in. But despite all of that, they still accept me, and they still love me for who I am and respect my opinions about life.