My son is 24 and acting like a teenager. I believe in God and brought him up as a christian, now he says I poisoned his mind and tried to brainwash him and that he does not think he can speak to me again if I cannot listen to reason. (If the existence of God cannot be proved scientifically then God cannot exist)
We have always talked about many things, including philosophy and I dont have a problem with his beliefs but cannot say I do not believe in something which is so important to me.
Should I pretend he didnt say it, try to talk to him about it, or just do nothing and wait and see what happens?
2007-02-13 11:46:57 · 12 answers · asked by cate 4 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
In this case I would say that it is best not to say anything, or at least wait a while if you feel you must. If he is reacting this strongly it indicates that this is an issue that he has been thinking a lot about lately. It is obviously a senstive area for him and he is questionning his beliefs. Although, he may indeed be "acting like a kid", we are all guilty of that at times, and I am sure that he feels bad about what he has said to you. At the age of 24, for me anyway I was still maturing and developing in my thoughts and actions and I continue to do so today. A persons faith is a complex matter-he may not have meant what he said. It sounds like he is confused and frustrated about his beliefs. If he simply felt he was an atheist, he wouldn't have reacted that way. Its such a complex issue, and he is no doubt aware of that too. Sometimes people feel that they are being looked down upon, judged, or pitied by those who are confident and secure in their faith because they don't fully understand it. However this makes them resentful. I would say that you shouldn't pretend it didn't happen, nor should you try to get him to open up about it at this point. Just wait and see what happens. He knows he hurt you, I'm sure. Its probably best that you avoid that subject as much as you can, unless he decides to bring it up himself. If he reacted that way the first time, he may do the same if you mention it again, and you may end up pushing him further away from both Christianity and from you. Be patient and understanding. xx
2007-02-14 04:04:02 · answer #1 · answered by Princess Sophia 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah right, praying is really gonna help, good advice folks!
But yeah, hun you're right, this 24 year old is acting like someone 10 years younger. But maybe this could be your fault. I don't want to blame you without knowing facts, but you have to admit that most Christian's don't have tolerance in abundance. Could the way you look at things have coloured his narrow mindedness?
I think this needs a 3rd party in the middle, sine he is not going to listen to you, you need someone else to point out that he is being a real ignorant and intolerant a.s.s. He needs a poke in the eye and made to understand that the human race would be extinct now if everyone was as intolerant as he is being.
2007-02-13 20:23:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can't change his mind. The Holy Spirit can do that for you (only if he accepts His leading). Pray Pray Pray without ceasing. Ask God to open doors in his life and to close doors that may be causing the rebellion. Pray that the scales be dropped from his eyes. What ever you can think of pray about it. If he accepts God's responses in his life he will eventually come around. Of course keep in touch, loving and kind to him. Never push him away. Leave the religious talk go as it will not work coming from your lips. I found that out the hard way concerning my son.
Pray that God send him a Christian friend that he can become close to. Often young ones will pay attention to those their age.
2007-02-13 19:54:57 · answer #3 · answered by sandra_k19 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
To believe or not to believe in God is a choice. I think that it is acceptable to challenge our beliefs. The problem seems to be that your son finds it hard to accept your decision to believe in God. I understand this may be difficult to live with as it it is so important to you. But my advice to you both is to try to accept that you have different beliefs.
2007-02-13 21:46:49 · answer #4 · answered by Chip 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your son is entitled to believe in what he wants to believe. you cant force him to believe in the same as you. in time he will discover what he want to believe. maybe he going through a stage where is he rejecting god and religion. give him some space and don't mention it unless he does and if he does just listen and respect his beliefs as he respects yours, otherwise you may drive him away. maybe he need to live of bit of life to realise that there is a god or there is not. i believe in god but i don't like to impose my belief on my children i let my children make their own mind up.
2007-02-13 20:22:18 · answer #5 · answered by b1uecee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let it go....God will show him in time that He REALLY exists..It will blow his mind... He will come back to you begging for forgiveness.. Dont make a scene about it.. Tell Him you understand. You sorry. etc.. Then pray for Him every night... Praise Him all the time in everything you do...Rebuke any evil that could enter your son to say these things... Ask the Lord to Open his Spiritual eyes to know HIM... God doesnt like people to use His name in vain,and to force people to know Him,but He will whisper in their ears in His own time.. But the only way that He will accept you is if you accept Him... Maybe your son won't tell you but in his sub-concious he will know and God will know... Good Luck...+++ Lord Bless you and your boy...+++
2007-02-13 19:58:06 · answer #6 · answered by Georgie 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
HE HAS HIS OWN MIND AS YOU DO. HE DOESN'T NEED TO BELIEVE WHAT YOU DO, LEAVE HIM ALONE AND RESPECT THAT. MAYBE YOU TWO SHOULD NOT DISCUSS YOUR BELIEFS. ONLY TWO OPEN MINDED PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT TRYING TO CHANGE EACHOTHER MINDS CAN DISCUSS SUCH THINGS. SO MANY WARS OVER BELIEFS. PEOPLE NEED TO WORRY ABOUT OTHER MORE IMPORTANT THINGS. IF HE IS A GOOD PERSON YOU SHOULD BE OK WITH WHO HE HAS GROWN UP TO BE!
2007-02-13 19:55:30 · answer #7 · answered by openminded 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They don't get any better as they grow older.
You may not agree with him on this matter, but the more you challenge him the more you will grow apart.
He is in-titled to his opinion, allow him the freedom to express his view,or you lose him forever.
Who knows what his view may be later, he may be struggling with a dilemma you are not be aware of.
2007-02-13 20:09:59 · answer #8 · answered by moeeeeus 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should realise that individuals are entitled to their own opinions about everything.
You both need to respect that your opinion's differ with this subject.
It is not the end of the world but understand if you try to talk about it, all you will do is fight.
2007-02-13 20:04:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have to let him believe in what he feels is real. don't try to change him,you as a mother now that you did your best in showing him the right path and now you have to let him make his choices. if he believes in love than that should make him a good person. you should try not to loose your son over this. let this one be. hope this helps
2007-02-13 20:03:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋