What is the best approach to start an argument with my all-catholic family...?

Question

.. at Easter that my nephew, who has expressed doubts in Catholicism and God, that he should not be forced into going through Confirmation if he does not believe.

My family is very well educated and affluent. Those mentioning references to being low-class or inbred are cordially invited to go be fruitful with themselves.

I should state I'm an Athiest and think any blind faith in God is silly on many levels. My nephew doesn't have "doubts" he just doesn't believe. I don't believe that he should be made to go through confirmation simply because he is living under his parents roof (since he's under 18), and his Parents believe. If he were to choose to follow that path, I wouldn't intervene. However anyone with doubts and whom needs support in separating themselves from the Christian mythology I am happy to support, especially my family.

Answer 1

It's actually harder arguing catholocism than other denomonations. They can always use the excuse "god gave the church authority to change the scripture" to defend its more absurd beliefs. Plus, they tend to not be biblical literalists like many protestants, so they can bend and twist around examination of biblical inaccuracy.


Personally, I would focus on the historicity of the church. About how it adapted and changed based on man-made political opinion and not any kind of divine mandate.

But I would also advise against starting a public argument. Just let him know that, if he wants to ask you anything, you will talk with him. Don't anger and embarass your family, he probably won't respond well to it.

Answer 2

It would be a sin to force your nephew into confirmation of something that that he does not believe. I cannot say what would be the best way, because I cannot predict all of the potentiall outcomes, however, your family must be told or the problem will only probably become worse as time goes by. Your nephew will have resentment toward his family for forcing him to profess a faith he does not have.

In fact God does not force mankind to believe in Him. If man wants to be separated from Him then God honors man's will and lets man suffer in Hell in which God is not there for eternity.

Answer 3

Doubt, in and of itself, does not constitute a valid reason to skip Confirmation. Catholics of all ages will have doubts about certain Doctrine from time to time, there's nothing unusual about that.

Because of his doubt, you newphew is going to seek the council of those who know better than he does, In doing so, he will discover the answers for himself, and decide for himself whether or not he will be confirmed.

Since you have not given specific details of his doubts, it is impossible to determine whether or not his doubts are due to a genuine lack of faith, or a genuine lack of catecitical intruction.

What you have to realize is that Confirmation is not the end of your nephews education/journey in the Faith. Confirmation, the pooring out of the Holy Spirit onto your nephew, is merely the beginning of his journey in the Faith. Up to now, he has been given the tools to do his own independent research and discovery for himself.

The best thing you could do is not get in the way. Let him find God on his own. If you think he is in error, pray for him, but you would be wrong to interfere in any way.

Besides, if "starting an argument" is the summation of the intellectually redeeming value of your strategy, your almost doomed to fail from the getgo.

With regard to your additional detail, do not forget the Commandment Honor thy Mother and the Father. Your nephew's mother and father want their son Confirmed. A refusal on your nephew's part would constitute a sin against his parents as well as God.

Your nephew will be Confirmed. And you will let him find God in his own way. Just because the Confirmation doesn't mean much to him now doesn't mean it won't come to mean something in the future.

I know.

Answer 4

Won't his faith be more meaningful if he goes through the confirmation when he is ready and when he chooses.

State the question as if you know he should be and will be confirmed someday........alhtough your concerned about the depth of the commitment and think he should wait a bit longer.

Answer 5

The fact that you are conspiring to start such an argument on such an issue on Easter proves to me that athiests go out of their way to instigate and fight with the good Christians who are out there, without whom, this country will be a cesspool of hateful vermin like you.
I'm sure you're pure joy to be around on Christmas too.

Answer 6

well starting an argument is never easy especially with people who you know will be opposed your views. with my experience with total catholics they will be somewhat god says and how dare you defy .come up with a few good arguments before you say anything. all i could think of is if your nephew goes through with it and doesnt beleive it is lying to god and i dont think the church is good with liars so isnt it better for him to just not do it. when it was time for me to get confirmation my mom asked me if i wanted to and i said i gotta confirm that i wanna go to heaven??i told god that when i got baptised didnt i ? i dont gotta renew the vows . **** its like when that dumb woman calls to confirm my dentist appointment and im like i know im going already confirmation will not save anyone anyhow murderers have confirmations i know someone who after confirmation was mad that he had to study things that may not be true in school and was so annoyed went to the opposite side and began reading up on witchcraft and practicing the occult . i read up on it too but i do not practice i choose to remain religionless because i have not found one that is beleivable

Answer 7

Tell them that the Pope was a nazi or he looks like Palpatine.
Insult the holy spirit, maybe say a blasphemous version of a prayer when asked to say grace.
Embarrass them in church
Claim your priest's a pedophile who raped you
Tell them you've started worshipping Satan
Put God to the test (say "God, strike me with lightning if i hit my brother" then punch him in the face. When they get angry ask them about loving their enemy or turning the other cheek, then punch your brother on the other side of the face)
Desecrate the church in some way (pissing in the graveyard, carving your name on the wall, throwing stones at the windows etc)

Answer 8

tell them confirmation at such a young age is cruel and unusual punishment, and tell them youre an atheist.

COnfirmation is don e at the age where kids dont know what they are getting into, its not fair or right for parents to force thier children to be confirmed.

Answer 9

dont do it to start an argument, that just makes you an a.ss.

but i do agree with you, you should only go through with confirmation if you actually believe, because once you do, theres no going back.

he should research other religions and whatnot, decide if catholic is best for him.

thats what i did.

Answer 10

If he is sure in his beliefs he needs to talk to the priest. His parents are going to try to influence his decision. He needs to talk to hie priest ASAP. The priest will understand what he is going through.