crusader1234 Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 Hey, I was just thinking today, that if I hadnt been a cradle catholic... would I have ended up this way? As for the kids part... should we be forcing Catholocism on our kids after a certain point? I know we are supposed to 'Raise them up in a way they shall grow so when they are grown they shall not depart from it'. But at a cretain point, say around confirmation time, shouldnt parents give up? A girl I know just took confirmation then started going to mennonite church. I was ... appaled to say the least. I was like Why bother? and she said she was 'both'. I dont get it... whats wrong with this?? Her parents forced her Catholic and then... oh whatever. anywyas whta do you think the cutoff age for raising them up in the way is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
God Conquers Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 Cutoff Age: when they leave your house you no longer have physical control of whether or not they attend church, so not much you can do there. But, as a parent you are partially responsible for the spiritual development and salvation of your child. We are bound at marriage to raise our children in the Church, and must obey this to the best of our ability in order to remain Catholic ourselves. We have to pray constantly for our children, faithful or not. We need to take ownership of their physical AND spiritual needs, and this means both catechesis and promoting a genuine love for the Church so that they can take over ownership of their own faith. Am I right parents? I don't have kids, so maybe my position will change when I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.SIGGA Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 If my mom didn't insist I had to attend Mass with the family almost as a requirement to live under her roof when I joined a Non-denominational Church in High School, I might still be a Protestant. She was really upset about it, but she said that didn't erase my family Mass "requirement", and today I'm really glad that was her policy When I'm at home on a Sunday now I still have to go if everyone else is going Lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 This is a very interesting topic... something I've grappled with. I will be watching to see what others have to say... and I'll add my two bits... but it's one in the morning... too tired... :sleep: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 Considering the young age at which kids get confirmed these days, they're not exactly out on their own at that time. Parents need to lay down the law and require their kids to play by their rules -- including Mass attendance -- even after confirmation until the kids leave. And even when they come home to visit. I mean, if their kids are living with someone outside of marriage (which is usually long after they've moved out), and they come home to visit, many parents will (and all parents should) assign separate bedrooms for them. So why shouldn't the same thing apply to Mass when the kids are home visiting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 When I was growing up, I thought my parents were uber-Christians, a bit over-zealous. We went to church every week, and every single night of my life we had family worship time, in which we'd read the Bible, discuss it, and pray. There were times I enjoyed it, and times I resented it and thought it was being shoved down my throat. Even now, if I go home, my dad still does family worship with whoever's there. I strayed away from the faith for a couple of years, but since I've come back and started actually taking it seriously, I am glad for the foundation I have as a result of my parents. In Deuteronomy, the Israelites are commanded to teach their children to love God, and to write his commands on their hearts, to talk about them wherever they are ... my parents did this to the best of their ability, and they still do it. We're told to teach our children and our grandchildren to love God -- I think it's a form of evangelization, and it's really never supposed to stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hananiah Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 [quote name='crusader1234' date='Apr 22 2004, 11:34 PM'] As for the kids part... should we be forcing Catholocism on our kids after a certain point? [/quote] I think we should simply raise our children so innundated with Catholicism that for them rejecting Catholicism would be like a fish rejecting the ocean. In an ideal world the thought would never cross their minds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamalove Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 [quote name='God Conquers' date='Apr 22 2004, 11:41 PM'] Cutoff Age: when they leave your house you no longer have physical control of whether or not they attend church, so not much you can do there. But, as a parent you are partially responsible for the spiritual development and salvation of your child. We are bound at marriage to raise our children in the Church, and must obey this to the best of our ability in order to remain Catholic ourselves. We have to pray constantly for our children, faithful or not. We need to take ownership of their physical AND spiritual needs, and this means both catechesis and promoting a genuine love for the Church so that they can take over ownership of their own faith. Am I right parents? I don't have kids, so maybe my position will change when I do. [/quote] Agree. Just because your child reaches a certain age, doesn't mean they are no longer your child. You should always love and nurture your children spritually and physically no matter how old they are or whether they live with you or not. If they reject you, your love and the Church. As a parent you are still obligated to pray for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusader1234 Posted April 24, 2004 Author Share Posted April 24, 2004 Hey, I dont agree that kids should be forced to confirm. What if they don't mean it??? Thats almost a blasphemy. My Youth Minister was adamant that any youth who was doing it for their parents drop out becuase thats not what Catholocism is about, its about faith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
God Conquers Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 But if you don't push your children into their faith, you do them an injustice. Everyone needs firm encouragement at some point or other in their life. Pre-18, it's not about faith (well, it could be) but a parent must make it so for their children. It's not forcing them to do what is wrong, but what is right. You're giving them a chance to have a solid base built up for if they do decide one day to leave, like Hananiah said, they must come back, because it would be unnatural for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikkan_hanil Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 Forcing religion on a teen will make it worse. Looking at my youth group will prove that for ya. I learned that true happiness and sincerity in religion is found through self discoverey....and homeschooling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livin_the_MASS Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 LEAD BY EXAMPLE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
God Conquers Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 So... If your 15 yr old kid says "I'm not goign to Church anymore." you say, no problem? Not in my house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 [quote name='God Conquers' date='Apr 23 2004, 11:21 PM'] So... If your 15 yr old kid says "I'm not goign to Church anymore." you say, no problem? Not in my house. [/quote] Amen! Your parents raised you well, and I know you'll be raising your own kids well! God Conquers rules!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livin_the_MASS Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 [quote name='God Conquers' date='Apr 23 2004, 10:21 PM'] So... If your 15 yr old kid says "I'm not goign to Church anymore." you say, no problem? Not in my house. [/quote] I'm sorry I guess you misunderstood me I meant be the leader go to Holy Mass everyday be the example, that didn't mean that gives the child the right to run the home. Sorry I should have had more detail. I will raise my kids Catholic, they have already been baptized and they will be confirmed, I will teach them all Truth, and as long as they live under my house I am the head of it. I will not permit any sinful living. God Bless Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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