Dear Lily:

You are welcome and thank you for your kind words, for your appreciation of me.

I understand and agree with what your parents told you here, “that, as this is my father’s job, I need to play along”. It makes sense that as a pastor, the congregation needs to see that his child (as a minor, living at home) attends his services.

I like very much this statement that your mother made: “there is war everywhere in the world, we don’t need war at home”. I agree, but wish she included “their (parents’) attacks.. verbal and physical attacks” in that war she mentioned, not allowing those in her home!

Your parents and I share some disbeliefs: I don’t believe in all the religions that they don’t believe in (as well as the one they do believe in). And I think it is okay for parents to select what movies their children will watch.

I am impressed that you have let your parents know that you don’t believe in what they believe, that you reject their religion as your way of life, and I am impressed that you “verbally told them what (you) didn’t want to do”.

Do you know why you were able to tell your parents what you didn’t want to do, but you don’t tell men what you don’t want to do, that is, why you go along with whatever they want, whenever they want it, as if you don’t matter?

anita