I totally cannot understand this logic for a parent to disown a child just because they choose not to believe like you do. My friend has never met her grandparents because her Dad left being a J. Witness. Other people have posted similar encounters. I would die for my child in a heartbeat without a second thought and I cannot fathom a parent disowning their own blood because they choose to not practice your same religion or beliefs.

I understand this is true with the Amish and J. Witness. Do any other religions do this?

My grandfather disowned me when I didn't marry a Catholic so I know what it feels like. (this was just his personal belief it's not part of the Catholic faith)

I certainally cannot understand it!! My oldest has done lots of things I do not approve of, but she is still my daughter and I may not always like her or her life choices, but I will always love her!!

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~Happiness is a large family~

I don't understand it and I could never do it. It's so sad.

If my child chose to worship Satan or join some crazy freaky cult (the cool aid drinking kind)i may have to cut ties until they come back to reality but never would i disown my children. Those would be the only examples where I could think it would be ok.

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Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

Even in those instances I would try everything to still be an influence in their lives to bring them back from the dark side. I wouldn't want to cut ties because I think that is when they might need me the most.

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Parker, Wyndser, and Carson....................Wyndser (in blue) with her cousin

I sort of agree with Jodie. I would never DISOWN my child, but, for my own safety and sanity, I might have to stand on the sidelines if it was something 180 degrees against everything I believe in. It would be hard, I would try to remain in their lives, but I would probably have to remain on the sidelines (with the HUGE exception of prayer) for awhile. Otherwise I would be going against my Savior. It would have to be something incredibly drastic and dark, too. I am talking Satan worship or something like that that could endanger my soul, not something as simple as becoming Protestant or not marrying a Catholic. That is nothing to me. That doesn't mean I would stop loving them, I would just have to do the same thing many parents of drug addict children have to do - for their own protection and sanity.

Hope that makes sense. AND I hope I never have to experience that sort of pain.

My father disowned me because I did not take him up on his offer to move me my DH, and three children into a 12x52 trailer that he wanted to buy for us that was sitting in one of the worst drug infested neighborhoods in Richmond Va. We were living in Pa at the time, the kids werre doing well in school, DH and I had very good jobs.

I too can not fathom how a parent can "disown" a child. I will always love them and will want to be a part of my childrens lives no matter what religion they choose to be, who they marry or what they do.

My father disowned one of my brothers. This brother is "slow" and supposedly created stories of things done to him. However, actually this brother is autistic, in today's standards, and they don't always get facts right. This brother and all of us were severely abused. He is still scarred. I've told my father he can't disown his children - there is no such thing and that it's childish and ridiculous to even try. You can break off contact w/ a destructive, dangerous child - but disown? Ummmm You never really own them!

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Make someone's heart smile today.

I love my kids to death and they know if they cross the line with the law or cause physical harm to a family member I'll drive them to jail myself but I would also visit them after sentencing.

Live is too short to not enjoy what time we do have with our families.

By the way my mom has still never met my three children- she prefers her beer
It's her loss. My children are fortunate to have a fraternal set of grandparents who love them all dearly.

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Isn't it wonderful to have parents who are so screwed up? (Note the sarcasm) I just know I try to do the opposite w/my kids. I know it would be easier if I'd had better role models, though!

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Make someone's heart smile today.