If your child came to you and said, "Mom/Dad, I don't believe in God", how would you react, and what actions (if any) would you take?
2007-03-02 04:36:41 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'd ask them in a nonconfrontational way, "Why?" or "What brought you to that conclusion?" Depending on their age and experience, the statement might be the result of a lot of study, or be intended to anger the Christian parent or be in response to a pain they've suffered. It's important to know their reasons and address those rather than simply reacting to that statement.
Younger children may not know what they are saying or simply be repeating what they've heard in school. Or maybe their pet or grandparent just died and they are angry. In that case, I'd focus on the hurt they are feeling rather than on the statement itself. For older children (teens and adults), I'd still try to understand what it is that they've been studying or experienced that brought them to such a conclusion and be able to have a rational discussion listening to their ideas and sharing my own.
There would be no reason to love them any less no matter what their age. I'd feel sad but that would be to bring to God in prayer.
2007-03-02 04:51:50 · answer #1 · answered by A N 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It pretty much depends on how old your child is... I did that to my parents when I was about 14 and remained an atheist until my conversion 12 years later (and they had nothing to do with that!). I suppose it doesn't really help to try and convince teenagers to believe, but it does help to be open about it and discuss it gently with them. Faith is God's own action, after all. As for younger children, maybe they are just repeating something they heard at school, and maybe you can just give them little examples of how God acts and makes himself present in daily life.
2007-03-02 04:46:59 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard a lot of atheists talk about what they would do if their child came to them and said "Hey, I believe in god". The people I talked to said that they would support the kid. Give him/her the chance to explore other religions. Give the kids the reasons why the parents do not believe in god and then let everything go from there.
2007-03-02 04:42:10 · answer #3 · answered by A.Mercer 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I will do the best to bring up my children with a Christian foundation and try to have faith that when they make their own decisions on what they believe... they will make the right choices. What really could any parent do? You can't force anything on your kids, you just do what you can to make sure they have all the information they need to make the right choices.
2007-03-02 04:43:47 · answer #4 · answered by Scott B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." -- If a child of Christian parents says that then something is wrong with the parents and not the child.
2007-03-02 04:41:57 · answer #5 · answered by Dandirom 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Ahahaha. I did just that to my parents. Now they call me the family Anti-Christ.
2007-03-02 04:42:38 · answer #6 · answered by Brandie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd say bravo.
but then, I don't believe people should just inherit their parent's religion. They need to find what is right for them.
2007-03-02 04:41:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My kids know that I will support their life's decisions, even if I don't agree with their choices.
2007-03-02 04:41:49 · answer #8 · answered by thezaylady 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would say excellent, you know the truth
2007-03-02 04:41:42 · answer #9 · answered by mamakumar 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing. It's his choice. I would try to convince him otherwise, but if that's what he chose, then so be it.
2007-03-02 04:41:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋