As a devout Christian parent, how would you feel if your child became agnostic or atheist?

Question

Sorry, I was addressing this question to devout Christian parents. My beliefs are irrelevant.

Answer 1

but what if they are not?

Answer 2

I would be proud they’re thinking for them selves.

That’s a common flaw in most children.

I know this question is for parents but I’m only 17 and I would feel the same way regardless of my age.

However I am also agnostic but id feel the same way if I raised my children agnostic and they became Christian just as long as it was what they really believed and for the right reasons.

Answer 3

Frankly you need encouragement. I don't know the particulars. I'm thinking you or someone you know has children who have turned away from the Christian faith. As a parent I'd naturally feel concern for them. If I had done my best to rear them in the Christian faith I'd claim that promise in Prov.22:6,"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." I"d probably talk to a pastor or counselor for wisdom, encouragement, and prayer. You will continue to love them as a parent and pray for them. It is surprising the miracles that are brought about through fervent prayer, but you no doubt are aware of what prayer does. For now simply place them in the hands of Him who loves them more than you do and you know how much you love them. I can assure you He knows your pain and is praying for them,too..

Answer 4

in case you "understand now all earthly religions are B.S " then you won't be able to in reliable faith proceed partaking completely such as your church. i'd advise that you assert that you've problems with fairly some classic church practise (it really is authentic, i imagine) and that you want 'area' to artwork your ideas by. That way you respect their position with out 'rocking the boat'. Atheism is a perfectly good position, yet Dawkins and his lot are frequently criticised by different atheists for being a techniques too dogmatic. some describe him as being no extra useful than the fundamentalist Christians he so despises. you purely might want to study his ramblings on the topic (sorry to call them ramblings, yet something like the God fantasy is little better than a foul tempered insult of religions) to keep in mind that his rhetoric is a lot extra useful than his reasoning. by ways do study his technology - he explains complicated ideas about evolutionary biology brilliantly. once you've a extra mature view of the completed debate it is also attainable to work out issues a touch in a special way, and it will be smart now to not say too a lot too early. follow being an 'agnostic atheist', a minimum of for the instant.

Answer 5

I am not a parent yet, but a devout christian.. and of course no doubt my heart would be broken, but yet I would pray that God will turn my children one day and continue prayers without ceasing and it will definitely happen sometime, if not in my lifetime.. The prayers specially that of a mother have great effect, in the case of their children and God never rejects an unceasing prayer for salvation..

Answer 6

Perfectly fine. If you raise a child from a young age feeding them everything in the Bible it doesn't give them a chance to think independently and when questioned about it when they are older they just respond "Because that's they way I was raised."

If God wants His religion to work it obviously has to stand on its own merits, so I'm holding off teaching any religion until my child is older. Then I'll sit him down, explain my beliefs and all of the other ones, and let him decide.

Answer 7

Book of proverbs 22:6
Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it


So if they think they found a better path, let them do it. I will trust god that i did all i can. At a future time, they will see the light.

(I teach 9th graders religion - Many shortly after leave the faith in college, then many come back and say thank you for what I taught them)

Answer 8

My Brother is an atheist! Our Father was a minister! Dad is now 89 years old and will soon Be 90. I am saddened that my brother feels this way. I just keep him in my prayers. I have told him to not break our Dad's heart by saying He doesn't believe in God to our Dad.

Answer 9

I'm a new Christan parent and you know what i say let your children find their own path just help them along the way let them believe in what they want if that's how they feel you cant change that and by asking or not supporting them your asking them to change them selves which is basically saying you'll only love them if their the same as you

Answer 10

A child becoming a non-believer or dubious about irrational superstitions once coming of age should be view as a positive development. It shows self-confidence, a rational approach to basic analysis and a willingness to express their convictions boldly, - all good things.

A.E.

Answer 11

My mother is a "devout Christian", and all of her children are either athiest or agnostic. I don't think she really cares, though.