I've been through this same argument with my mother and grandmother. I had the advantage of being over 18 and living on my own at the time, though. Once I explained it to them straight and to the point, they understood. That didn't mean they liked it, though. I think they wanted me to spend time with them more than they wanted me to be sitting in the church. I invited them to come with me hunting to see what I see and feel what I feel, but they didn't. In my mind, there's nothing inside a man-made building that can compete with the complete and utter awe I feel when I'm sitting in the woods surrounded by God's creations. Seeing the sun rise over the far ridge and the light filters through the trees and shows the wonder and complexity of the natural world that God created and gave to us is an amazing thing. It can push away all the stress of the world and that gives me a true feeling of appreciation for the blessings in my life. There's no time I feel closer to God than then. Keep trying to get them to understand that and maybe one day you'll succeed. Don't throw away the chance to spend time with them, though, no matter where you spend it. There will come a day when you won't be able to.

[Deleted by Admins]

Showing respect to your parents and grandparents is more important than doing what you enjoy. Besides, honoring your parents is the one commandment that carries a promise with it of long life to those who observe it. You'll have plenty of time to hunt on Sunday mornings after they're gone, and I promise you, once they have gone, you'll regret not having honored them more. You're right to have learned the spiritual significance of being out in God's creation--not many people do any more--but my advice, based on experience, is honor your parents.

I have never really gone to church but I still believe in god. Acually I think my last buck witch was a 5x4 with a 18 in inside spread was because of him. I hunted for 7 days and only saw a spike but on the last day I prayed to god for a nice buck and right after he ran up and it was a esy 75 yard trotting shot.

deerhuntr a lot of folks here have bared there souls and I to will bare mine, my church is Gods creations, be it the woods or the waters, these are his creations and I feel in communion with him when I am among his creations and being part of them. I know where you are coming from, but as others have said, your first responsibilty is to your family, be it your parents or your future wife and children, hunt when you can, but in the long run time spent with your family is something that can never be replaced. Try what others said and either hunt the morning or the afternoon only and go to church with them, they only want you there because they love you.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

I wish we had hunting on sundays. I'd have gotten out of going to church so many more times growing up.

I totally understand what you are saying about feeling closer to god in the woods than anywhere else.

I also believe that going to church is a sacrafice that we make to give our time to god. I think that the hour I take a week to go to church doesn't make me closer to god than the person that prays at home or woods or where ever. For me it is more about giving god some of my time be it away from hunting or anything else I want to do.

We have church on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings so I find time to go to one or the other even if it means I don't get to do something else I want to.

You are not a better christian for going to church but that time with family praying to god in church will never hurt you.

There will come a time in your life when you will have someone else watching you following your examples and you will understand what your parents are talking about. They are just trying to do what they believe is right.

This is just my opinion.

" Anyone can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a Dad"

Edited by - sw iowa hunter on 12/03/2002 13:36:08

loving god and praying to him when you are happy and in the woods i think would be preferable to Him vs the other option of going to church and hating it.
sometimes i go so that it makes my mom happy, the churches around here i dont really like going to, they sing too much and the priests are mostly boring, (and unless i feel i really need to go to church bad i wont go to a certain one because the sing the "Our Father" and frankly i hate it

propmahn
save the world, reload your brass

Well, I got some of yall talking against church and some doing the opposite. I agree about honering your parents and grandparents, I tell ya, I love to go to church and praise God. I like our pastor, he is from West Virginia. Our church isnt all about the money. I agree some are but the small town church, Carroll First Baptist Church, collects money and it goes into church funds that go toward things such as the carpeting, rebuilding the stage, padding the pews, and things that benifit everyone at the church.

I think that after reading all of the posts that I will now talk to pastor Rick and see if I can explain it to him. I will also make more of a point to make it to Sunday evenings when I dont go to Sunday morning service. I appricieate everyones replies.
Thanks

&quot;A Country Boy Can Survive&quot; </IMG>

Sounds like a great compromise and I am sure whatever arrangment you come up with will work out great.

&quot; Anyone can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a Dad&quot;