I was married for 27 years, was married in the Catholic Church, although I am not Catholic. I've been W/my ex-wife from the time she was 16 until this year,( the last six I shared with a married prison guard, he can have her now), and we (me and my ex, she is not a very good regular) went Catholic Mass on the required holidays, vacations and family visits.
I have found a new Christian Church to attend and I asked my son (12yoa) if he would go with me on my weekends. At first he was hesitant because he did not want to disappoint his grandparents (deacons) or his aunts and uncles. I explained to him that his attending church services was a relationship of faith with God and it was not to please his grand parents or his aunts and uncles. When he asked which church we would go to and I told him, he readily said he would. I found out from him that some of his close friends attend the church. I think he felt comfortable with the fact that he would know someone there.
2006-10-09 19:06:08 · 6 answers · asked by John H B 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hi John H B,
It seems from your actions that your intentions in bringing your son are great. You have understood that attending church is a great way to nourish a personal relationship of faith with God and you seem to want the same for your Son as well as surrounding him with friends who can be great Godly influences on him.
i absolutely encourage you to do that. It seems as if God has made great changes in your life and you are heading in a great direction and that's great that you are being a Father who teaches his son to know and fear the Lord.
As you explained to him going to church is about knowing God and not pleasing his relatives--- you shouldn't fear about upsetting other family members. They may not like the idea- but as his father- you've a right to influence and help direct his life.
Most of the advice that you are receiving about not leaving the Catholic church has not even attempted to ask why this new church you've found is so great. The most important thing is what will bring us closer to the Lord. A Bible teaching church which follows Jesus closely and helps you to follow Jesus personally is wonderful!!
Hope that helps,
Praying for you and your son,
Nickster
2006-10-09 19:31:34 · answer #1 · answered by Nickster 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At the age of 12 and in your care, your son is not responsible for his own faith decisions, but as a Catholic he is obligated to attend Catholic Mass every Sunday, and no other Christian service may be substituted.
I'm sure you know this.
It would be much better for him if you accompanied him to Mass, rather than preventing him from observing one of the most important precepts of his Catholic faith, by going elsewhere.
Confusing a 12 year old about faith, when the rest of his family life is already up for grabs, is a very risky thing to do.
2006-10-09 19:31:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, to be completely honest, practicing Catholics are not supposed to attend other religious ceremonies. If his grandfather(s) are deacons and his aunts and uncles Catholic they may easily have some major problems with this. I would definitely talk to them and the boy about their Catholic faith before doing anything, especially since the boy is a Catholic.
2006-10-09 19:10:55 · answer #3 · answered by Walty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree with Nickster! Your relationship with the Lord is just that, a personal relationship with the Lord, not the church. The only one you or your son has to concern themselves about disappointing is the Lord. If you both are happy there & know you can grow in knowledge of the bible, then continue. You only have 1 person to answer to and again it's Jesus. I say GOOD FOR BOTH OF YOU!!!
And I am so sorry for what you went through, I truly understand, I"ve been there with my ex, he cheated too! It's devestating , but you will get through it with God's strenght!!
2006-10-09 20:52:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You got married in the Catholic Church but you are not Catholic? Where did that happen? Did you get the Priest drunk?
2006-10-09 19:16:30 · answer #5 · answered by imnogeniusbutt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are the father of this child, and he is your son.
I am sorry that your wife betrayed you. That is really tough.
I hope that things work out for you.
The deacons that I grew up with were very quiet people and holy.
I can't imagine them being angry about anything that is God's will.
2006-10-09 19:17:27 · answer #6 · answered by Shinigami 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋