I'm not into religion but something my son just said to me for some reason upset me..

harrington · Apr 15, 2007

My 16 year old son told me he doesn't believe in God and that really upset me. I was brought up a strict Catholic and strayed later in my teens as well and I thought I would let him choose his own faith but now I wonder if that was the right thing to do. We never took him to church and really never talked much about religion to our children. Is it our job as parents to pass our belief to them or let them choose there own path.

bigtendominator · Apr 15, 2007

Yes, you did. My father brained washed me with religion and I resent him for it. He is 16, we think we know everything at that age. I still think that way at 31 at times.

bigtendominator · Apr 15, 2007

I feel like if something doesn't go right for me it is because I didn't pray. It is the worst feeling in the world.

winbet · Apr 15, 2007

I thought he was going to say the Sabres are a lock :lol: If thats your only worry with the Kid then relax, you've cracked it. :drink:

dick7470 · Apr 15, 2007

bigtendominator said:
Yes, you did. My father brained washed me with religion and I resent him for it. He is 16, we think we know everything at that age. I still think that way at 31 at times.

i believe what your saying...especially the last sentence. maybe its time you forgot about how you feel and think about what you dad's true intentions were - love, care, concern for his son?

Labeeb · Apr 15, 2007

You did the right thing. Just realize that the choices we make at 16 are VERY rarely ones that stick with us for life. As we get older, we change as do our thoughts about life and the world beyond our physical being.

winbet · Apr 15, 2007

If your really worried about it then say 10 Hail Marys and an Our Father, and dont bet for a Month. :drink:

TomBrady#1 · Apr 15, 2007

There is probably not much you can do now. Oh well it happens. My wife is not religious at all and I am at least making them go to CCD and get Communion and all that but her overwhelming influence will probably not allow the kids to value religion in there life. It kind of upsets me but not much I can do. Talk to him and let him know how you feel and why...is my advice.

onemwtheone · Apr 15, 2007

If he brought up the subject, I wouldn't worry too much. He might say he doesn't believe, but it's on his mind. Someday he'll pick up the book and learn more. Either he'll accept it or he won't.

bigtendominator · Apr 15, 2007

dick7470 said:
i believe what your saying...especially the last sentence. maybe its time you forgot about how you feel and think about what you dad's true intentions were - love, care, concern for his son?

I can't disagree with you. However, if I don't go temple every or pray before going to bed, I feel like if something goes wrong, it was because I didn't pray. That is what bothers me. I don't have problem with religion, but I have always felt that people should be allowed to pick their devotion to faith on their own.

lander · Apr 15, 2007

Harry,
Send him to Frannies and tell the nuns to beat religion into him.

Seriously, not much you can do, but continue to be a good influence.

harrington · Apr 15, 2007

lander said:
Harry,
Send him to Frannies and tell the nuns to beat religion into him.
:lol:

docmercer · Apr 15, 2007

Most religion is Santa Claus for grownups. Some guy with a clipboard keeping track of how many times you watch porn or smoke dope etc. Pray for 100 things and if 1 comes true, better thank him! What kind of ego does God have that he constantly needs people praising him???

Religion should be offered to kids when they turn 16 or older. Do we really need Hell and Satan to keep our kids in line?

Harrington, your son will go through things that make him believe, and then not believe. Both are excellent if he experiences them without being "told" how to.

ProPokerPlayer · Apr 15, 2007

He knows your fav team? he knows ur fav tv sjow? he knows ur fav color? etc, etc, etc..........

Raise a child in the way he should go and in the end he will not depart from it..........

He learned all those things about you but nothing about your beliefs?
This is only my worthless opinion and ill never open this thread again to read any replies but in my view you screwed up big time ...How can he make an informed decision when the only views he will know is from the Landers of the world???????? no offense Landers i just named the 1st atheist who came to mind..........
I never forced anything on my kids but they DO KNOW my beliefs and know they wouldnt be where they are today without them........16 is not to late...but almost...Good luck

kimchee7270 · Apr 15, 2007

not another zach johnson !

harrington said:
My 16 year old son told me he doesn't believe in God and that really upset me. I was brought up a strict Catholic and strayed later in my teens as well and I thought I would let him choose his own faith but now I wonder if that was the right thing to do. We never took him to church and really never talked much about religion to our children. Is it our job as parents to pass our belief to them or let them choose there own path.

let them choose their own path....u wouldn't want him one day in front of tv 'thanking God" after He just won the masters :lol:

royboy_3831 · Apr 15, 2007

harrington said:
My 16 year old son told me he doesn't believe in God and that really upset me. I was brought up a strict Catholic and strayed later in my teens as well and I thought I would let him choose his own faith but now I wonder if that was the right thing to do. We never took him to church and really never talked much about religion to our children. Is it our job as parents to pass our belief to them or let them choose there own path.

If you never took him to church and never talked about religion I can't see why you'd be upset he doesn't believe in God.

trytrytry · Apr 15, 2007

royboy i think he means he is upset with himself, not the kid....the news made him upset as he thinks of his actions that led to that comment.

jeckll · Apr 15, 2007

Simple solution to this problem. Ask him "Why not?" and engage him in an intelligent, thoughtful and open-minded discussion. He will have lots to think about.

wolfie_cr · Apr 15, 2007

harrington said:
My 16 year old son told me he doesn't believe in God and that really upset me. I was brought up a strict Catholic and strayed later in my teens as well and I thought I would let him choose his own faith but now I wonder if that was the right thing to do. We never took him to church and really never talked much about religion to our children. Is it our job as parents to pass our belief to them or let them choose there own path.

several things come to mind (mine that is)

would it have upset you the same if he would have said "I believe in Hinduism?" , esentially the situation is the same, they are chosing a different belief system than the one you have

is there something in his behavior that makes you think that he is inherently heading in the wrong direction? if your son is healthy, loves his parents/studies/hard working....I really think you did a GOOD job, many other kids might tell you that they believe in 'x,y,z' and then proceed to do everything against such beliefs

evidently most people transmit their beliefs into their offspring, regardless.....at the end its their own free will

and to end, I was raised in catholic family and went to catholic highschool......I am not going to say anyone did something that made me 'hate' religion (unlike other people that live bitterly saying 'they forced this etc') and still ended up atheist (although I know most about the Bible than the guys that wake me up every Sunday morning to tell me about how the World is coming to an end..)

my Mom probably would be very upset if I openly told her what I believe, my brother on the other hand fully knows what I think

royboy_3831 · Apr 15, 2007

trytrytry said:
royboy i think he means he is upset with himself, not the kid....the news made him upset as he thinks of his actions that led to that comment.

I see, if that's the case I completely understand, would be a tough situation.