My nephew is now 16, and his mother faitfully took him to church ever since he was a newborn, Then one sunday, He got up in the morning, and told his mother , Nooo, I am not going to church, anymore, she got soo upset, and he told her, because she pushed him too much, now that he is 16, He does not want to go church anymore, plain and simple, He told her maybe someday, or on my own terms i will go back to church, but , give me a break, please, my sister was soo sadden, she wouldnt talk to him in days, I dont see anything wrong with it, the kid has a right, whoo wants to be 16, and have his mommy take him to church every sunday,? Or am I wrong? please answer this question?,
2007-09-23 08:20:17 · 30 answers · asked by trudycaulfield 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I agree with you. I think when the child is old enough to make that decision they should be allowed to choose their path. A child is old enough when they think reasonably and responsibly. My girls were exposed to various paths so that they knew there were options. Both stopped attending services when they were about 12 ish. The more a parent pushes on a child the less they like whatever is being forcefed to them
2007-09-23 08:29:42 · answer #1 · answered by FallenAngel© 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I say that as long as the child (and 16 is still a child no matter what he thinks) is living under his parents' roof and they are paying his way, that he needs to follow the rules of the house. If the mom wants to make church attendance a house rule, she has every right to do so. This is no different than setting a rule that they whole family sits down together for dinner or that everyone is required to make their bed and put away their clothes.
It is quite normal for teenagers to rebel against their parents...but that doesn't mean that parents should give in to them. I can certainly see why a 16 year old wouldn't want to go to church with his mother...but I can also see a 16 year old not wanting to brush his teeth or eat healthy foods or have a curfew...and I can see a 16 year old wanting to drink or do drugs or have sex but that doesn't mean parents should allow it.
Frankly, I would say the same thing that my dad said to me when I wanted to stop attending church (think I was 15)..."as long as you live under my roof, you obey my rules...you can make your own decisions when you're paying for everything"! If a 16 year old wants the benefit of his parent's support, then he needs to obey the rules...if he wants to make his own decisions, then he needs to get a job and an apartment.
2007-09-23 15:35:43 · answer #2 · answered by KAL 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure there is an answer. Two cousins of mine stopped going until I asked them to be my sons godparents. They both turned around, one became a minister even.
My sister-in-law was the daughter of a minister. But other than the marriage they did not go to church or their children. She was murdered while out for a walk. What can be done now?
Maybe you should go to the social area and see if there is a technique that will work.
Let me know if you find an answer.
I got an idea. Have your sister tell her son that if he stops going to church and not believing in God and Jesus; that he will also not celebrate Christian holidays with the rest of the family. At Christmas, no presents and if it has snowed he can go out and shovel the snow while they are believing in the truth. And since he has school off then maybe make him study more then or something like that. Same with Easter. Then see if he dose not want ot be with God, Jesus, and his family. It would depend on his personalty, if it will work.
2007-09-23 15:32:15 · answer #3 · answered by geessewereabove 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A good age to forget about getting others to go to church every week would be somewhere around 150 these days. By that time you probably could not talk if you exist here.
I dare to say that a person that takes a child to church whenever it meets together has a problem in their life if the child does not want to go. Many of us take children to church, we act so pious and prim at church and around others, but our children see us at home and know our life is a lie. They rebel to the mockery we are making and do not want any part of it.
2007-09-23 15:37:06 · answer #4 · answered by mesquiteskeetr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is cool to make your own independent decisions. At 16 you start to feel like you can make your choices and should not have to listen to others. The thing that parents don't agree with is the fact that you are still under their guidance. They feel responsible to bring you up under the teachings of the church. It is no difference than they feel the same responsibility to make you go to school. Some parents are more liberal minded and will allow their child to make his own decisions about church. School is a state law, you have to go. Going to church is a moral obligation stated in the bible. If parents bring up their child in the church they will always remember it.
Boredom sometimes makes kids want not to go to church. They could be home playing video games or chatting with friends. My suggestion is this. As long as you are under your parents roof, they are responsible for you. They pay the bills and they keep you in food and clothing etc. If you Love them, honor them and listen to them. This is the least you can do for them. If your parents are good to you, why not be good to them. Some day you may wish you had them to be with. We don't appreciate who or what we have until it is gone. Don't rush your life and learn as much as you can. It will not hurt you to go with them to church and spend some quality time with them. Do it for them if not for yourself.
Rev. TomCat
2007-09-23 15:42:25 · answer #5 · answered by Rev. TomCat 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
100
2007-09-23 15:42:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never had to pester mine. Actually, they get upset when we miss church.
My suspicion is that he isn't connecting with a faith community of believers he can relate to.
Best to find a Bible-believing community with a good program reaching kids his age.
All of the 16 year old guys in my church love getting together. They spent last weds night playing soccer after the Bible study.
2007-09-23 15:27:20 · answer #7 · answered by TEK 4 · 6⤊ 1⤋
I think kids today are way too disrespectful. The parents pay all the bills, clothe and feed them. When you turn 18 is when you have the right to do what you want. Then you can move out, play your own way and make your own decisions. I know that they want to do their own thing, this is part of growing up, but they also need to do somethings that are requested of them.
2007-09-23 15:29:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Only as long as you love them.
How old are they when you no longer love them?
When you stop loving them then there is no need to bother anymore.
............................... ............................... ............
When they are a legal adult living outside the home you can not make them do anything.
At the age of 16 living in the home they are still minors and are still under control of their parents.
Should drinking age be lowered to 16?
Is that old enough to make a responsible decision?
Should 16 year olds be allowed to vote?
They are not old enough to make decisions about drinking or voting. How much more important is their souls?
As long as you and your child is alive, even if they are grown, a Christian should always encourage them to go to church.
2007-09-23 15:31:28 · answer #9 · answered by Old Hickory 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I hate my family for going to 11 am, i like going to 8:30 a.m. on Sundays. and I am a mere 13 year old.
2007-09-23 18:08:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋