[Fallen]

I've been trying to determine what moving out would mean for me. I've even been trying to compare and contrast what months would be the best time to leave if I did leave. The more I plan it, the more I notice a lot is involved. It's really honestly all on whether I would prefer to struggle due to a decision I've made for myself or struggle due to my parents attempting to dictate my life. Which currently, if I'm being completely honest, I am favoring the first option. I do know I need to get opposing thoughts in there somewhere though, which is part of the reason why I made this thread. (I'm terribly paranoid that I'm being "young and stupid" with feeling this way and need to know if that paranoia is justified or not.)

The biggest thing my parents have against my boyfriend is that he is not in our religion. In fact, he's Atheist. He's very supportive and understanding of me deciding to remain [somewhat] religious, though. Of course... that doesn't exclude the fact that he's not religious and is bound to have different standards than my parents. The absolute worse thing that could result from me dating Joe is that the religious community my family is involved in would find out about it and disapprove. Even so, my parents would not be blamed. I would be.

In the end, though it may have felt like a terrible decision on my part for my father, it was not worth him contemplating suicide (or even mentioning it to me). I understand that intertwining religion with any situation makes it that much more touchy, but most religions tend not to promote taking one's own life.