Religion has given me a purpose in life but my family think it’s a joke

DEAR DEIDRE: EVEN though I grew up in a non-religious family, I’ve always wholeheartedly believed in God.

Finding religion gave me purpose in life, and while I’ve tried my best not to project my views on to anyone else, my family has no respect for my beliefs. 

I’m a 29-year-old man, and I initially became a Christian when my friend invited me to join his Sunday school when we were 12.

I instantly fell in love with going to church. It gave me a sense of community and helped me find my faith.

Growing up, my family thought nothing of it; I think they assumed it was something I would grow out of. 

However, my faith has been unwavering, and in recent years they haven’t refrained from passing constant judgement on me and my beliefs.

Every time I see them, I never hear the end of it. Whether they’re making fun of me or telling me that God doesn’t exist, they’re set on disrespecting me and my religion.

Even when I try to silently pray to myself before we have a meal together, I hear my parents and siblings scoffing and chuckling to themselves. 

It’s not even like I try to project on to them, so I can’t understand why it’s such an issue.

I’ve told them again and again how much their behaviour hurts me, but they never listen.

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Deidre says: It can be really hurtful when the people we love are dismissive about things that mean a lot to us. 

Unfortunately, you cannot control your family or what they say, but you can control your reaction. 

Make it clear to them that they're not responsible for your opinions and that they aren't capable of changing them anyway. 

Explain how they are hurting you, and tell them that you'd rather they refrain from talking about religion at all.

I’m sending you my support pack on Standing Up For Yourself to help you have this conversation.