My kids grandmother is pressuring me to christened my daughters. As they're mother I want the best for my girls.Problem is I think of myself as not being the best mother they could have gotten. I'm not an athiest but I'm not religous ,was never brought up that way. I go to a catholic church to save face and fake being a good role model for them.Because I have a hard time understanding what going on in mass I don't want to be there. I guess my concern is how do I set the example or create a relationship between my daughters and God if i can't myself? Their father's family are all catholic so I don't want to affend but I feel affended by the church. Seven years ago with my first attempt to christend the priest was unwilling because my daughter was out of wedlock.I know I am a sinner but they are not and that makes me angry.I don't want to be a part of a community that feel the need to do God's work of jugding. I'm at a lost with faith.If I am wrong please share your opinions and advice.
2007-03-13 18:16:07 · 13 answers · asked by Andrea G 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My advice would be to read the Bible for yourself and pray. You do not need anyone to go to God on you or your daughters' behalf. Their eternal destination is between themselves and God. You can however, do your best to raise them with an acceptance and reverence for God and encourage them to read the Bible for themselves.
Many of us feel offended by the church. As a former Sunday School teacher and Youth Director, I can honestly say that you can NOT interpret the church's actions as the actions or intentions of God Himself. Let no one judge you but Him and continue to raise your children in love and humility.
Brightest Blessings!
2007-03-13 18:26:09 · answer #1 · answered by Celestian Vega 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend not being Catholic. Sorry Catholics... Most of their theology is centered around works and being a good person, instead of a relationship with Jesus.(Case in point, rejected by the church for not being perfect.) You need that relationship with Him if you want to be a successful parent. Christening your daughters will not make them love Jesus later in life. You must instill that need for a relationship with Him in them while they are young. You can help do that by trying to live a life worthy of emulation. Regular Bible study, prayer and church attendance are necessities for a healthy spiritual life. Prayer can work miracles. Your intercessory prayers for your children can be life altering. Constantly pray for them and for God to give you wisdom to be a good parent. One other practical thing you could do is to enroll them in a Christian school. Having teachers with the same values as yourself is essential in education. You want the things you teach at home to be reinforced at school, not torn down. Also the age at which most people accept Jesus is age 8-13. They have a 31% then, as opposed to a 4% or 6% chance during their teen years and beyond. I know Christian education was the biggest blessing in my life ever. Some people say, "But it costs so much!" I say, "It pays."
It isn't easy. It takes sacrifice and dedication, and even then there is no guarantee. Just pray, pray, and pray some more.
2007-03-14 01:33:36 · answer #2 · answered by The GMC 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, take a deep breath. Why not take some of the pressure off yourself and have your daughters christened? It sounds like it would make your grandmother happy and maybe would also help to take additional pressure off of you. There is nothing you can or cannot do to get your daughters to heaven other than try to be honest with yourself and try to re-establish your faith in God. God knows where you are right now. He knows your doubts. He knows your strengths. One of my favorite texts says "Be still and know that I am God" Don't be so hard on yourself and give Him a chance to work in your life.
2007-03-14 01:29:38 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. E 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The CATHOLIC religion is WRONG, NOT YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christening does NOT get ANYone into Heaven! That's a bold face LIE!!!!!!!! All christening does is make the PARENTS agree to raise the children in a Christian home! That's ALL!!!! *Nothing* more!!!!
"Getting into Heaven" is up to the individual! NO ONE can MAKE someone go to Heaven!
If you're concerned about the welfare of your girls, I'd say take them to a HOLY SPIRIT FULL Bible Filled Church!!!! And thumb your nose at that huge, huge, cult!
2007-03-14 01:31:40 · answer #4 · answered by MilkWeed 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my mil told my daughter she was gonna go to hell because she wasn't baptized but if that is not YOUR belief then you shouldn't have your children baptized. you need to find a new church if you were not raised catholic it is hard to sit thru service. Tell the grandmother that you tried and the priest turned you down. You can have them baptized at a church you feel comfortable with. You are the best mother for them as long as you love them and treat them well. Don't go to a church that offends you if their father and grandmother think it's important they go to the catholic church they should take them there. My hubby was raised catholic and went to parochial school but now won't go to church at all. Just try some different churches Methodist, christian or even a different catholic church if you really want to. you will find one that fits you.
2007-03-14 01:29:00 · answer #5 · answered by bubbles 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To be honest, this is why I'm not catholic, there's a lot of focus on rules and appearance and not on a direct relationship with Christ.
I don't believe you can "get your kids to heaven" they have to choose their own relationship with God. But you can help by developing your own relationship with God.
It sounds to me like being a aren't find Catholicism to be the right way to have a relationship with God. So now you need to find out what is the right way. Once you do explain to your kids what you believe and way, and not be a hypocrite about it.
2007-03-14 01:25:09 · answer #6 · answered by Dane_62 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you need to trust in jesus christ not some off key idiot who knows nothing about the bible and its holy scripture. dont be fake... i suggest you leave the catholic faith all together and just get a bible and pray something like god..my faith isnt real good right now but i am willing to try if you lead me to where i need to be...i myself wont make changes unless you guide me where to go. catholosism is a lie anyway! jesus is the way the truth and the life, no man cometh tot he father but by him! we all have sinned and fallen short...forgiveness comes from the lord not a stupid priest! and as for the wedlock thing ..what is so bad about that ? are we any worse for having a child from sex b4 marriage as one who screws and dont get preg. dont let others opinion guide you. i do suggest you encourage your kids to read the bible for themself as well. many religions are rules and junk.......just find the truth for yourself. dont go by anything anyone else has ever told you. find it yourself.
2007-03-14 01:29:37 · answer #7 · answered by ***BUTTERFLY*** 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Final Prophet Muhammad said: "Whoever believes there is no god but God, alone without partner, that Muhammad is His messenger, that Jesus is messenger of God, and that Paradise and Hell are true, shall be received by God into Heaven."
2007-03-14 11:11:23 · answer #8 · answered by BeHappy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Andrea, first, you are right in wanting to avoid catholicism....or any other church for that matter. here is the problem with todays churches and christians...the churches are lead by men (and women) (and homosexuals) who teach what they believe the bible (GOD) means. and todays christians eat it up because it makes them feel good and doesnt interfere with their lifestyles. they worship a self created image rather than the real GOD.
if you truly want to bring your daughters to GOD (and yourself)...start with the King James Holy Bible (and not the new king james version)...ask GOD to take you and teach you, and give your daughter to HIM. then begin reading in Genesis and continue to Revelation. dont be concerned with how much you read each day...the important thing is to read every single day. let GOD mold you and your life and continue praying for your children, share what you learn with them, read with them, but give them to GOD and let go of them...you must first get yourself right with GOD before you can help anyone else. dont ask people what scripture means...ask the author of that scripture...the bible says that GOD whispers HIS mysteries into the ears of HIS children. that is why anyone can read the bible a million times and get nothing more out of it than its words...but a child of GOD continues to find hidden treasures in it every single time the book is opened no matter how many times they have read it. anf dont think it is to late for you...it isnt. it is only to late for you when you die. please email me at tlmcgaa@yahoo.com
if you have any questions.
2007-03-14 01:39:16 · answer #9 · answered by Tammy M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hear God books through Qantas because of its safety record. I think they'll have to go through quite a few layovers though.
I've also heard tell that someone has a stairway to sell.
2007-03-14 01:34:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋