Arrowman

PS: ILMM If you do decide to go with "tell 'em what they want to hear" you're going to have to do it slowly and carefully. Given your first reaction to your parents' e-mail (The List) I'd say that even the most closed-minded fundy wouldn't be fooled by an immediate about-face. You'll have to fake a gradual re-conversion. Might be an interesting exercise, if nothing else - sort of like chess by e-mail

bocajeff

I'd actually go in the other direction. I write them some Chick Tract like reconversion story such as this:

Dear Mom and Dad,

You were right. I have felt the power of Jesus. Last Saturday night I was hanging out with my friends at Darkraven's place. We were listening to Marilyn Manson while playing D&D. One of my friends, high on drugs, left early to have premarital sex and rape a small child. He returned with a Quija board he had just stolen from the child he had just raped.

Excited, we lit some black candles and drew a large pentagram from our blood in the center of the room. We placed the Quija board squarely in the center.

I was just about to pray to Satan when something strange happened.

The candles whisped out. The D&D game manuals lit up in a blue flame. And the Quija board rose above us. It hovered there for a mere moment before it crackled into a million pieces.

All of us were very frightened. I ran from the house crying and returned the comfort of my dorm bed. I lay huddled under the covers. Tears streamed down my face, streaking my black eyeliner.

And then it happened. My Bible, which I haven't looked at in months burst forth from the darkest corner of my closet. The cross on the cover burned brightly. I shielded my eyes from the power of G-d.

It was about then that I collapsed onto the floor. My hands pressed together, I prayed to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, to forgive me of my sins. He touched out to me and I felt a warm wash bathe over my body.

From now on, all I want to do is serve Christ to the best of my abilities. You were right Mom and Dad. Jesus does love me. And I love Him more than anything else.

Now. How about sending me that check?

Love,
Your Jesus-loving son

ApostateAbe

MadMardigan: LOL!!

Arrowman: That is the sort of letter I should have sent if I wanted to keep a good relationship with my parents. As it is, I have already made it clear how strictly opposed I am to Christianity, and there is little hope going back and correcting things. I think my relationship with them is on its deathbed. But my relationship with them has always been sickly anyway (my username is meant for irony). I don't want their money anymore, either. I have felt guity for depending on them, and I hope to pay them back someday for what they have given me so far. I may have to quit school to work for my tuition.

The basic reason they have for with-holding money is to keep their money from being spent on a cause they don't like. If I use their money to help me promote my cause of anti-religion, then it cancels out the money they use for religious causes (that is perhaps why they prefer me to be agnostic). I don't think I can blame them for their decision. I wish it didn't have to be so suddenly though.

Thanks, everyone, again, for your sympathy.

Arrowman

ILMM: Fair enough; you are, as I said, the "man in the field" and we in Headquarters will rely on your judgement as to the best course of action. Congratulations on your courageous stance and good luck with your future.

Don't feel "guilty" for depending on your parents. I'm a parent and I fully expect to provide all manner of support to my kids beyond their high school years. That's my job. And yes, you can "blame them" for their decision. They have placed their personal religious beliefs, and their financial support of other causes, above their support of their own son. It's not like you're 35 and they're buying you a Camaro.

And you don't have to pay them back for anything. I have a solid relationship with my parents and I have never felt obliged to "pay them back"; they would be horrified at the idea that I would give them money rather than use it for the support of their grandchildren.

Grateful, yes. Guilty and obliged to pay back, no.

Cheers, ILMM. Look forward to seeing more of you around here.

ApostateAbe

This is ILOVEMYMOMMY. I changed my displayed name. ILOVEMYMOMMY was funny in Christian chat rooms but not here.

Anyway, I will have a rough ride ahead of me, and I will certainly use your ideas in future e-mails, Arrowman. I love you guys.