To some extent I've been in a similar situation, and to a large extent my story is the same as yours. I became atheist around the age of 16 from being agnostic and apathetic prior to that. I said many horrible things about God and His followers. Especially the ones who claim to be His followers but don't live like it. I even attacked Christians for their beliefs trying to make them give up their faith. ... Now I teach Sunday school to high school students. God 1, Tom 0.

My parents, especially my dad, had concerns when I started attending church. My dad even told my mom that he wondered if I had joined a cult. My upbringing as far as faith goes though, was my dad found out I was atheist back then and told me I was not and that I do believe in God, in a this is a command that you must follow sense. Amazingly that didn't do much for my lack of faith.

When I became a Christian my dad asked me how I knew I had chosen the right religion, and how I knew God was real and such. This from a man who somehow was a deacon in his previous church probably 30 years ago.

The church I was attending when I lived with them was 45 minutes away from home and I had an old car, so there was many times he tried to convince me to stay home for various reasons. None of which were to spend time with family though. As him and I were never close anyway, and my mom wasn't opposed to me going.

I chose to go on every opportunity I got though. While I lived there I only missed church a couple of times, that being for really dangerous weather, and for my car being broken down and not being able to borrow one of their vehicles.

My thoughts are that you try to negotiate going to at least one service at your church a week. Most churches have two services Sunday and often times one on Wednesday.

I don't know what your reasons are against the Catholic church, but, I've got enough reason that I wouldn't recommend going there either. Perhaps you could invite your mom to go to your church though. Then she could see that you aren't in a cult and perhaps she'll even decide to stick around and hopefully she will get saved too.

I've written a bit about my experiences with going from atheist to Christian, and about issues with parents and how God has worked in that, on my site if you are interested. (On the main page of my site on the right side is a "Highlights" section, they are mostly all found there.)

@smile - that's a pretty good idea actually :) thanks for your help :)

actually i have been in that situation.  my parents met in church, and my mom fell in love with the part of my dad that was on fire for Jesus.  his other side, however, was not revealed until after their marriage, and 24 LONG years later my mother questions divorce every morning as she wakes up to face the cold hard truth - my dad isn't living for anyone but himself.

for a VERY long time my mom stood tall and took me and my siblings to church, but slowly one by one my dad kept us home, and my mom found it too embarrassing to go to church by herself while every other member attended with spouse and children.  i of course always followed my mother, she was my saint whereas my father was my enemy, and it remained that her and i and my little sister went to church...for all of about a year.  there came a sunday when my mother felt to beat to wake up that early, and she became angry with God, mainly because "He" never changed "him". that is a very separate matter altogether but where am i going with this?

we have not gone to church as a family in...oh, i don't know, 15 years. and though i used to regularly attend youth group, our trips to church are very rare.  my mom always tells me that you don't need church to worship or grow closer to God, its just a building, and though i see her point, i strongly disagree.  where else in the world can you go where everyone in the building feels God's presence and you can worship Him as a united being while being fed encouragement to make it through the week? i know there are many different answers for many people, but for me it's simple.  church ignites the fire within me.  it is not fair to keep ourselves from something that connects us to God, and to not go, is to let the enemy win.

Now, take into mind that this is merely my personal opinion, and that i understand you love your mother, just as i love my father, but we cannot let even our loved ones hold us from this prime opportunity. it is too easy of a win for satan who does his best to keep us from a strong connection.  you need to let your mother know that even if this is not what she believes, it is what you believe and how you live, and she needs to acknowledge your independence.  there are many nice ways to do this, lol, so it doesn't have to turn into a dispute.  just let her know that you want to go, but you want to go peacefully.   maybe go to church at a different time? or invite the family? or schedule the family time some other time? or alternate? when someone asks me why i believe what i do, the only answer i can ever find, is the feeling of it all, and that i truly wish they could experience it themselves, because it is not until then that they will understand

hope i helped even a tiny bit, sorry this is so long :]

I have been very fortunate as I am surrounded with a gr8 christian family, and christian parents. But I would say the most important thing is that you know what is right. I see a lot of my friends trying to figure it out right now, (actually so am I) that is where we stand and where your own personal convictions are. You cannot rely on the church all the time you need to know what you personaly beleive. When you are trying to figure this out make sure you have gr8 relationship with our savior, Jesus Christ. Once you have more of idea what you beleive you can see more what church you belong in. And also while you always need to respect your parents, Jesus told us in Luke 9: 61,62

 61And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

 62And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

The christian way is not always easy, but sometime we need to let things go that are very precious to us. I relize it is way easier for me to say that then for you to do it if nessicary but we need to keep our eyes on the prize and keep pressing forward. Hey it is gr8 to hear that you are trying and that is the important part. :)

             Ryan