Hi guys,
So my mother has become more religious as she's getting older (not super surprising). We had some small traditions involving religion growing up, but they were small and they never bothered me, not even now (like saying Amen before dinner, small things like that). But lately, I feel she has gotten a bit out of hand to me.
There's multiple things. I find myself pretty relaxed with her. I say thank you when she says "god bless," and just am polite when she says to pray, etc. However, I feel there is a line inside me and she's crossing a bit. The biggest one not too long ago was when I confessed to her I was having some mental issues and she said that the reason I have them is because "I don't believe in Jesus" and because "I've let myself be open to Satan." I also have to "Pray to heal myself," and "find peace with god to be better." As someone who is struggling with things, I found it hurtful and almost dismissive. I was taken aback, but said nothing.
Other things: She always told me to read the bible, and now I am, but she doesn't like that I'm reading it straight through because "it takes away the meaning". She doesn't care for my partner because he is atheist. She's told me she would baptize my future children in secret. I don't think this is possible, but brings another question to me (since kids are not too far away in my future) am I being combative to refuse baptizing them? On one hand it's just water, on the other hand, I'm taking away a choice from my child. They did not ask for it.
Overall, there are a lot of other issues, but basically my mother is blaming all my issues on my lack of faith and is pressuring me. I am an agnostic atheist, but she thinks I am only skeptical and can be saved.
Eden Folks... I don't know what I'm asking exactly. What the hell do I do to both preserve my relationship but have some sanity? I find myself distancing from her because of it but I also don't want to hurt her feelings or make this ugly.
So my mother has become more religious as she's getting older (not super surprising). We had some small traditions involving religion growing up, but they were small and they never bothered me, not even now (like saying Amen before dinner, small things like that). But lately, I feel she has gotten a bit out of hand to me.
There's multiple things. I find myself pretty relaxed with her. I say thank you when she says "god bless," and just am polite when she says to pray, etc. However, I feel there is a line inside me and she's crossing a bit. The biggest one not too long ago was when I confessed to her I was having some mental issues and she said that the reason I have them is because "I don't believe in Jesus" and because "I've let myself be open to Satan." I also have to "Pray to heal myself," and "find peace with god to be better." As someone who is struggling with things, I found it hurtful and almost dismissive. I was taken aback, but said nothing.
Other things: She always told me to read the bible, and now I am, but she doesn't like that I'm reading it straight through because "it takes away the meaning". She doesn't care for my partner because he is atheist. She's told me she would baptize my future children in secret. I don't think this is possible, but brings another question to me (since kids are not too far away in my future) am I being combative to refuse baptizing them? On one hand it's just water, on the other hand, I'm taking away a choice from my child. They did not ask for it.
Overall, there are a lot of other issues, but basically my mother is blaming all my issues on my lack of faith and is pressuring me. I am an agnostic atheist, but she thinks I am only skeptical and can be saved.
Eden Folks... I don't know what I'm asking exactly. What the hell do I do to both preserve my relationship but have some sanity? I find myself distancing from her because of it but I also don't want to hurt her feelings or make this ugly.
