How to Talk About Religion with Your Family
Certain things in life just aren’t easy to talk about. One of those things can be religion. While some families may always have had open communication about religion, for others, the topic might be difficult to broach. This is especially true if you may be following a path that your family doesn’t approve of, such as becoming part of a religion that is different from what they believe in. However, if you want to maintain a relationship with your family despite your differences, you’ll need to be able to communicate openly about religion, even if it’s difficult. We’ll be guiding you through a few things that may make the process easier.
Get it off your chest
You’ve likely been feeling nervous about this for a while, and your family probably knows something’s up. So, instead of torturing you and them for any longer than necessary, just say what you need to say. Don’t beat around the bush or sugarcoat it. Once the hardest part is over and the news is out there, you can start with other important things, such as explaining to them why you may have made particular choices, or giving them more information. Various sites and resources can help you with this, such as the Book of Mormon, which may come in handy when trying to inform someone about the Mormon religion.
Explain themMaybe the reason why you do not talk about religion in your family is that your family members do not want to dive deep into the topic. Whenever you choose the safe space and time to talk about your choice of religion with them, try to be honest and explain why that kind of religion speaks for you the most. You may find out to see that they can show interest or want to learn more about your choice. Try not to explain it in a hard way, you can engage them in your studies in an interactive way such as playing youth group games, or trying to pray together. Remember that it is only acceptable to do so when you see a genuine interest, in order not to put pressure on them.
Be respectful
Families may not always agree with or even understand their family members’ decisions, but that’s no need to be disrespectful. Talking about religion should be no exception. For example, many family members may not understand why someone may want to go on a plant-based diet, but that doesn’t mean they need to be rude about it. Go into the conversation with that mindset. Also don’t allow anyone to disrespect you or your choices – respect is a two-way street.
Be honest
Honesty is important in all conversations, but especially serious ones. Lying to your family is never a good idea. They’ll probably have a lot of questions, so answer them as honestly as you can. Speak openly about your experiences and feelings. This will likely help them understand your point of view much better. However, that’s easier said than done. You may be scared of their reaction, or of disappointing them. It can be hard to be honest when the truth is risky, but it’s a bullet you’re going to have to bite.
Be patient
It may take your family a while to adjust to whatever it is you’re telling them, and it may take them even longer to fully accept it. We’re not saying you should put up with any disrespect, but understand that people process information at different rates, so you should be mindful of that. If you have an impatient personality, maybe work on that a bit before you have the big talk. Patience is a skill that can help you in all aspects of your life, such as your relationships and even work. You probably didn’t make any decisions in haste, so understand that they may need some time.
