Help please?

[Sydney Carter]

So im in a bit of an odd situation at the moment. Currently, I am part of the youth group at the church my family attends. I have recently (after a year of expiramenting) realised that I am an Agnostic, rather than a Christian, and I am very much accepting of all religions. However, due to the fact that I am not a Christian, I no longer want to be a part of this youth group. My parents refuse to let me stop going unless I provide the with another "social, supportive setting" irl(my mother is pretty opposed to me spending a lot of time on-line. She is unawre that im actually socialializing on the Ning). I really need to find a way to quit going to this youth program. Unfortunatly, I don't like settings with a lot of people, though meeting new people is not an issue. I'm also very bad at sports. I love to read and I am very nerdy. I also really like volunteering and animals.
If anyone could help me come up.with a replacement activity, I would be very grateful. Thanks!

[Michael Clay]

If you like animals, donate your time to a local animal shelter. They are always looking for extra help, and you don't really have to deal with a lot of people.

[Sydney Carter]

Thats a great idea, thanks! the only issue is that im only 13 so i dont know if they'll let me.

[Elizabeth Ballard]

I use to volunteer at an animal shelter when I was 13. They may not let you work with the dogs, but they may have other animals you can help with.

[Elizabeth Ballard]

Does your school  have a book club or any other organizations related to things you like? It's an awesome way to find friends with similar interests.:)

[Sydney Carter]

yes, but school's almost out and i think they meet on days when im busy(i have to go to extra band pracrices occasionally)

[Elizabeth Ballard]

Hmm, well are there any groups in your area? (Book clubs, community service organizations and such.)

[Sydney Carter]

Im not sure. i might be able to do something at my city library

[Chris Cartmill]

or you could ask a librarian about intellectual social groups...

also, there is always the option to make a tee-shirt about starting a club and wear it as much as possible.

[Alaska Is Beautiful]

I can't exactly help you in this regard, but I can offer a shoulder of understanding. About a year ago, I realized that my Christian religion wasn't meant for me as well. I went through this phase where I told myself I was animistic, but then I realized that I was more fascinated by animism that convinced by it (it's a religion I'd love to write a story to but I'm not sure I'm fully convinced I'd live my life by it).

Unfortunately, I cannot get out of this religion until I a) turn 16 and emancipate myself from my family or b) turn 18 and go off to college, therefore basically cutting myself off without the legal battle.

I'm not sure whether or not you actually want to hear this (because I know it's not helping you at all) but I feel like venting at this time, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't hate me for not answering your question.

So, I can't even tell my parents about this change of view because doing so would result in a complete cut off from everything I've worked so hard to achieve--internet usage...and that's about it. They already wouldn't let my try out for last year's musical because they said it required me to spend too much time with bad associations (gays, lesbians, atheists, agnostics, a.k.a. EVERYONE AWESOME) and too little time devoting myself to my spiritual whatever.

I have nothing against the people in my religion; I find it to be a great religion for people who are into it...but it's just not for me. And being forced to go to all these meetings and spend all this time with people who unknowingly force their religion upon you (through constant religious chatter, and "harmful" bringing-ups of people who have left the religion with a sad, pitying tone) just makes me feel so terrible because I know in my heart that I'm leaving these people and they will feel so terrible afterwards. So I completely understand you being Agnostic and not wanted to be a part of your youth group.

As for spending time online...my mother has no idea of my time on the Ning...or anywhere else. If she knew I was on Fanfiction, she'd freak.

 

Now I'm going to stop wallowing in self pity and try to suggest something to help you with:

November is coming up. You could try to start a NaNoWriMo club at your library (try to get some friends involved and make it into a little petition club). Since it could take a while to convince your library to actually let you start the club and a lot of planning is involved, I'm convinced all you would have to do is get a few people on your side and willing to help, plan some weekly meetings at a park or somewhere, and you could be set until January (since December is the editing process, and many groups still meet for editing support and whatnot). And then you could start all over for Script Frenzy and Camp NaNoWriMo. If you prolong the planning and booking just a bit (not to mention the advertising) I think you could easily make it a year round thing to stress about.

Sorry for the massively long reply.

[Sydney Carter]

the 'massively long reply' is fine. thanks a billion for this advice. i also love stories so venting is fine for me. just an update, because ive been away for a while: this summer i pretty much stopped going to church. once school starts up again, ill probably start going again. mostly because i miss a lot of the people i used to see all the time,but also because a lot has happened recently ( i did actually make a video about it on one of my youtube channels (sydneyrules529 and StrangersROS) if anyone is interested) and my parents aren't wrong in saying that the group really is supportive.

[Lauren Low]

I had a hard time figuring out an activity I could do up until a couple years ago when I started doing musical theater and now I LOVE that.  Maybe try a few different activities until you find one you enjoy (you might be supprised which one attracts you). It's really hard meeting new people but if you can find a common interest it's easier, so activities are a good way to do that.

[Luuk Muthert]

I don't know if it'll work for you, but joining a debate-club has been awsome for me!

Mostly they are small groups, with very nerdy/scientific subjects. Of course, there is the element of public speaking.

I hate to do presentations for my class, and even more in front of an audience of unnown people. But since i joined my schools debating-club, I started to hate it less, and i've become better and better. (Besides you'll never have to talk to anything more than a jury and the opponents) Also the people going to the club -on their own initiative- are very nice persons. I would really recommend at least taking a look at a meeting!