Adam's son wrote:
I think I might have made this clearer earlier, but my family is all Lutheran. You guys here also know I'm under 18, meaning I have to go to church with them every Sunday. Usually I read my Bible to pass the time and avoid all their rituals, but I just got a new phone, so I got both Snapchat, a Bible app, and a TUB app on it. This week I read TUB during church, no biggie. But near the end, when the pastor was about to give his sermon for today, my dad told me to pay attention. I didn't, and just hid my phone between my legs for the rest of the service. Now my mom and dad want to take my phone away (they think I was on Snapchat the whole time), but my brother thought I was reading my Bible during church instead of paying attention. Ridiculous double standard aside, what do I do? I'm going to get confirmed soon, and I have to write a testimony of my faith. Any pointers? I can post a transcript of the testimony I was planning on giving if you guys'd like.
When I was four years old my father suddenly became a Jehovah's Witness because one of them knocked on the door. My mother was raised Lutheran and even though she didn't really believe any of it there was no way she was going to become a Jehovah's Witness so they divorced. So, every other weekend when I was with my father I had to sit through two hours of the most boring service you could possibly imagine. It was absolute torture and it's a good thing I didn't know then what I know now because I would not have been able to sit and listen to all of their primitive ideas about God and the earth becoming their special place after armageddon.
What I would say is this, sit through it, just take it, don't resist, don't act out, don't get upset, don't get on your phone, don't do anything that would force them to react because they will choose their religion over you. Sit and think, day dream.
When you reach the age of 16 go and get a job. Ask to see the manager, look him in the eye with confidence while you shake his hand and give him your resume. Keep it short and make sure he knows you really want the job. Then save your money and find some good friends that you trust and the day you turn 18 you all can move out and get an apartment together.
You can't change your parents but you can be the person you want to be.