beth

My mother is very immature. Perhaps that is why my relationship is the way it is. I spoke out to her only once and was disowned for two years. When my great-grandmother died, I had to act as parent and drag her to the service because she kept trying to go back to the car. I had to reason with her in a way that did not contradict, but appeared to be the act of a dutiful daughter. My mother is an ultra-fundie, so fundified that people that I went to church with thought she was demonized. I try to just show her the respect she demands because I know she is mentally ill, but won't admit it. So I really don't know what it is like to have the privilage of being an adult with my mother.

Godless Dave

I'm sorry to hear that, BG.

Jewel

I don't think it's a male thing. I think it's a respect thing. I'm also 33 (and female) and my mother treats me like an adult. She's always allowed me to make decisions and to be who I am. I cannot even remember a time when I was not allowed to disagree with her. She may regret that (in fact she's said as much when it comes to religion), but none the less ... I think that's one of the reasons she and I have continued to have a good relationship in spite of our differences on religion and politics.

For the most part, we don't talk about religion. I never mention it unless she brings it up -- and she rarely brings it up anymore. I have a tendency to speak my mind (I got that from her) and it always ends poorly when we talk about religion. I have a feeling that's one reason I have never recieved godspam from her. She sent one to my oldest brother once (he's Pagan) and she had the nerve to get offended when he responded. Ahhh, the irony.

Jewel

That's unfortunate, BG. I'm sorry you had to grow up in that kind of environment -- and that it continues even now.

beth

Oh, it's okay, thanks. I just wanted to explain my point of view. My children, at a very young age, tell me everything, whether it hurts or not. So the good thing that comes out of my relationship with my mother is my desire not to raise my kids the same way. I am used to her and now that I realize that my mother is mentally ill, I do not hate her the way I once did. I don't think she can truly help the way she is. I'm sorry for distracting from your thread, Shake.

Captain Howdy

You're mum's not the only one who sends this stuff around you know. I get around ten godblessyou crap messages every week from my mine.
I remember when I told her I was not a catholic anymore and told her that no mum, people who don't believe in catholicism don't go to church. She cries her poor little eyes out. I guess what I said shook her foundation quite a bit.

I guess they don't like it when you come as you are.
My school is this catholic one. I'm actually forced to memorize the angelus and recite it in front of the class even if everyone knows I'm not a catholic/christian/onewhobelievesingod. But they don't care. I don't know why these teachers feel the need to discrminate against me. Why is it so bad to be the only atheist in a non christian school in the philippines?
All they do is spout human rights here and there, but when I ask for mine, I don't get them, not even from my own family, much less my school.