"But it's a relationship."

    I think the most frustrating conversation I have ever had with my parents is the one I have with them almost every time I talk to them. That little chat is about religion. Talking to my firmly "Non-denominational" Christian parents about God is a million times more nerve racking than the time I told my mom I wasn't a virgin anymore. Which, believe me, was a very akward, emotional conversation. I was able to deal with it, and she didn't get angry at me. That is a lot more than I can say about the God talks.
    I hold myself to be a Deist. That's just the most logical beliefe in God, in my opinon. Personally, I don't care about religion. You can believe in Krishna, worship Lucifer, or just deny everything all together. I don't care. But my parents are an entirely different scenario, and it's disheartening.
    For example, I go to my mother earlier this month because I've been really depressed lately because of several stressful factors in my life. I want to talk to her and just vent. During my venting session all my mom will say is, "You know, you'll never be happy in life unless you have Jesus." "Jesus is the answer you need. You just need to trust in him." How can I trust in someone who I believe to be dead? It's like trusting in PreFontaine to help you go that last mile...it's ridiculous because PreFontaine is not a god, he's not a saint, and no, he's not sitting on the sidelines cheering you on through some etheral fog. It just doesn't work. The man was a legend, but he's dead. We can respect and cherish what he said and the legacy he left, but to actually try to "form a relationship" with him and the like...it's fuckin' crazy. I have nothing against her believing that Jesus is devine, but I don't, so therefore praying to a dead profit is not going to bring me happiness in my life.
    Now this is begining to sound like a rant. I have a point, I promise.
    I think the thing that bothers me most about my parents' ardent passion for their God and Church is that they then project those rules, regulations and guidelines onto me and judge me as though I adheared to the same rules as they do. It's not fair to punish me and play favorites with my younger brother because I have a different beliefe system. I don't even live with my parents, and yet they have guidelines for me to follow or I'll be punished with either the withdrawl of their money (which has already happened) or a brisque tounge lashing from them and a general expression of dissapointment about my entire lifestyle.
    I only wish they could see that I'm not a "bad" daughter. I get good grades, I go to all my classes, I drink very seldomly, and I'm not into drugs. No, I'm not a virgin and yes I speak my mind when I have to (or want to) but I hardly see those as grounds for dismissal.
    My "scraps" with my parents over my lifestyle choices have outlined for me just how ridiculous it is that religions dissagree. It also makes it that much more ridiculous for me that we're at war with another country over religion. It's just stupid. They believe differently than we do. So what? Big deal.
    What is the big deal with everyone having to accept the same means of salvation? It's close minded and definately not progressive. Lighten up. We are all different.