Catholic child going to a Methodist church?

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( I am sorry if I posted this in the wrong section, please move this if need be.)

My son goes to a Methodist preschool even though he is baptized catholic. (They accept anyone to register at the school regardless of religion). I was going to put him in Sunday school which would be this Sunday at the Methodist church. The catholic church Sunday school doesn’t start until January. My husband, who is not even christian, does not want our son to go to a catholic school or learn the catholic teachings. (Even though we had him baptized in a catholic church). He said he would rather him go to the Methodist church sunday school.

I did so some research, and from what I understand, the teachings are similar but the Methodist has 2 sacraments where the Catholic has seven. I talked to someone who is very strong in the catholic church where he was baptized, and she told me she doesn’t see a problem with him going to a Methodist sunday school.

I also was invited to go to the Methodist bible study for the adults and I was going to go. (I am Catholic).

What are your thoughts on this?
 
My friend, huge red flags should be going up. You are flirting with disaster.

A Catholic should not go to a protestant Bible study unless he/she is familiar enough with the Bible to recognize the errors which will inevitably be presented. Get a Catholic Study Bible like the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible.

You have an obligation, made before God at your child’s baptism, to teach him the Catholic Christian faith.

Note: My mother was Methodist before marriage. Some of my maternal relatives are still Methodist although many have left because of the shipwreck that the United Methodist church has become.
 
Sunlight said:
( I am sorry if I posted this in the wrong section, please move this if need be.)

My son goes to a Methodist preschool even though he is baptized catholic. (They accept anyone to register at the school regardless of religion). I was going to put him in Sunday school which would be this Sunday at the Methodist church. The catholic church Sunday school doesn’t start until January. My husband, who is not even christian, does not want our son to go to a catholic school or learn the catholic teachings. (Even though we had him baptized in a catholic church). He said he would rather him go to the Methodist church sunday school.

I did so some research, and from what I understand, the teachings are similar but the Methodist has 2 sacraments where the Catholic has seven. I talked to someone who is very strong in the catholic church where he was baptized, and she told me she doesn’t see a problem with him going to a Methodist sunday school.

I also was invited to go to the Methodist bible study for the adults and I was going to go. (I am Catholic).

What are your thoughts on this?
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I was raised in a Methodist home and converted to Catholicism at 19 while in college. My parents are still Methodist.

It’s hard to imagine that your son is going be force-fed a strict diet of sola scriptura and the symbolic interpretation of John 6 while he’s finger-painting and making macaroni necklaces for Mother’s Day. 😛

Elementary School? Go Catholic. Preschool? “Jesus loves us” is about as radical as it’s going to get.
 
Hey there,
You have an obligation, made before God at your child’s baptism, to teach him the Catholic Christian faith.
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This is true and I you need to be aware of this. I recently read a web post by a Catholic priest, Fr. Simon, about Baptism and here is an important message, which I hope you will take seriously:
Baptism and all the other sacraments are not voodoo rituals that initiate us into a club. They are not magic. They are in fact solemn responsibilities. Sacraments are “outward signs instituted by Christ to give grace.”
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Grace is not just a gift, it is the gift of responsibility. It is an invitation to collaborate with Christ in His work of redemption.
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For you to stray away from your obligation, would mean Sacramental abuse, the mortal sin of sacrilege.

I believe the heart of your problem lies is that you are perhaps unaware of what goes on at Holy Mass. If you knew, you wouldn’t even consider what you are thinking… 😉

Learn more about your faith, here is a awesome website I’d like to share with you:
catholicsistas.com/
This can help you discover the joy of being Catholic, I especially recommend you see the “Why we worship” segment which will help you realize what happens at Holy Mass.
youtube.com/user/WhyWeWorship?feature=watch

I pray you make the right decision in raising your son a Catholic.
 
Sunlight said:
( I am sorry if I posted this in the wrong section, please move this if need be.)

My son goes to a Methodist preschool even though he is baptized catholic. (They accept anyone to register at the school regardless of religion). I was going to put him in Sunday school which would be this Sunday at the Methodist church. The catholic church Sunday school doesn’t start until January. My husband, who is not even christian, does not want our son to go to a catholic school or learn the catholic teachings. (Even though we had him baptized in a catholic church). He said he would rather him go to the Methodist church sunday school.

I did so some research, and from what I understand, the teachings are similar but the Methodist has 2 sacraments where the Catholic has seven. I talked to someone who is very strong in the catholic church where he was baptized, and she told me she doesn’t see a problem with him going to a Methodist sunday school.

I also was invited to go to the Methodist bible study for the adults and I was going to go. (I am Catholic).

What are your thoughts on this?
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There are some things which are not worth fighting over. In life, you have to pick your battles. However, if it were me, I’d be tempted to “die on that hill”.

If your child goes to a Methodist school, he won’t be getting what he needs to learn about the 7 sacraments. Later, when he wants to pray the rosary, he might find he’s not able to, and you might end up fighting with him on the many differences between your respective faiths. It will split you from your son.

You will end up going to your Catholic Church, and he will go to his Methodist one. How can any good come of that arrangement?

Sounds like there was an agreement, or understanding in place, enough to where your son was baptized Catholic. Now, it sounds like your husband’s trying to back out, but it’s a little late for that. If he had objections, he needed to make them known at that time, because now, this is all in motion.

Further, find out your husband’s specific issues are with Catholicism. Come on the forum, or look up responses in apologetics. Is the pope, confession, what exactly?

Some typical stumbling blocks are;
ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/WALLET.HTM

I’ll close now with a prayer.

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blest is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. :gopray:
 
you made a solemn promise at his baptism to raise him Catholic, not Methodist.

This means attending the Catholic Church, Catholic religious education, Catholic sacraments, Catholic bible study, etc.

They are not “the same” they are not “similar” as in thinking it does not matter which you attend. It matters very much.
 
Keep in mind that I have never attended a Methodist Church.

However, I had no idea how much absolute garbage my son was being taught in Sunday school/Children’s Church/Youth Group when he was a child. I had no idea until he was an adult, and would express things, and I would be like, “Where did you get this rot from?”

If I had it to do over again, my son would never go to Sunday school or any of it. He would sit right in church right beside me, and I would teach him myself. Because ultimately I know I will have to answer to God for how completely I failed him in entrusting his spiritual development to others.
 
Op,
I am assuming that you were married in the Catholic church, at that time you made a promise to raise your children Catholic even though your husband isn’t. when you Baptized your child Catholic, again you made a promise to raise your child in the faith.
I was raised in the UMC and while they are very nice people, the UMC’s communion is not at all equivalent to the Eucharist in the Catholic Church. While preschool usually just covers very basic things, it seems like sending your child there to appease your husband is drawing you into attending, going to Bible studies etc. Sadly your case demonstrates all too well why it is important to marry someone with the same religion and commitment to it. Now it seems like he is digging his heals in and making you do the compromising but in reality, he married a Catholic, had his child baptized Catholic which means he should be supporting you in fulfilling your promises to raise your child Catholic that were made when married and at baptism. I would suggest to discuss this with your priest and stop involving yourself in the Methodist church.
 
Sunlight said:
( I am sorry if I posted this in the wrong section, please move this if need be.)

My son goes to a Methodist preschool even though he is baptized catholic. (They accept anyone to register at the school regardless of religion). I was going to put him in Sunday school which would be this Sunday at the Methodist church. The catholic church Sunday school doesn’t start until January. My husband, who is not even christian, does not want our son to go to a catholic school or learn the catholic teachings. (Even though we had him baptized in a catholic church). He said he would rather him go to the Methodist church sunday school.

I did so some research, and from what I understand, the teachings are similar but the Methodist has 2 sacraments where the Catholic has seven. I talked to someone who is very strong in the catholic church where he was baptized, and she told me she doesn’t see a problem with him going to a Methodist sunday school.

I also was invited to go to the Methodist bible study for the adults and I was going to go. (I am Catholic).

What are your thoughts on this?
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If you are Catholic, then you should not be sending your child to Methodist Sunday School or attending Methodist Bible Study. “Similar teachings” is not good enough. January is only a few weeks away and it will do less harm to have him wait than to send him to a non-Catholic Sunday School. Somewhere along the way, your husband should have been aware of and agreed to letting you raise your children Catholic, it’s time for him to step up.
 
If you are a Catholic, you have a DUTY to bring your son up as a Catholic. Period.

The Real Presence, the 73-book Bible, intercession of saints, and a thousand other things that are mainstays of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church are not only dismissed by many other Christian communities; but are sometimes emphatically denounced as heresies. Do you want that kind of religious education for your son?

Take the time to learn your/our faith. Learn why we do what we do, and why we believe what we believe. I promise that the more you learn, the more you realize what a bad idea this is.

As for your husband, if he agreed to let you baptize your son as a Catholic; it’s a little late in the game for him to all of a sudden to decide that Catholicism is a bad thing for your son. Just my two cents.

God bless you.
 
Sunlight said:
( I am sorry if I posted this in the wrong section, please move this if need be.)

My son goes to a Methodist preschool even though he is baptized catholic. (They accept anyone to register at the school regardless of religion). I was going to put him in Sunday school which would be this Sunday at the Methodist church. The catholic church Sunday school doesn’t start until January. My husband, who is not even christian, does not want our son to go to a catholic school or learn the catholic teachings. (Even though we had him baptized in a catholic church). He said he would rather him go to the Methodist church sunday school.

I did so some research, and from what I understand, the teachings are similar but the Methodist has 2 sacraments where the Catholic has seven. I talked to someone who is very strong in the catholic church where he was baptized, and she told me she doesn’t see a problem with him going to a Methodist sunday school.

I also was invited to go to the Methodist bible study for the adults and I was going to go. (I am Catholic).

What are your thoughts on this?
Click to expand...
I’ve just read your post more closely and wish to revise and extend my remarks. 😛

Pre-school while you run errands in the morning or work a half-day? No problem.

Sunday school? Why aren’t the two of you at mass together?

Pre-school, yes. Sunday School, no. That’s my final answer. 😉
 
Randy_Carson said:
I’ve just read your post more closely and wish to revise and extend my remarks. 😛

Pre-school while you run errands in the morning or work a half-day? No problem.

Sunday school? Why aren’t the two of you at mass together?

Pre-school, yes. Sunday School, no. That’s my final answer. 😉
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In general, I would agree with you but it seems like the pre-school is drawing her into sunday school, Bible study etc. If it was and the only thing, pre-school could be ok but it seems that it isn’t just stopping there and is being done to appease a husband who seems to against the Catholic church. She is being forced to compromise and not him when they married and baptized the child in the Catholic faith.
 
Many years ago I taught in a Baptist preschool most of the staff were Baptist and there was a definite Baptist slant to much of what happened there. In addition, our students were expected to sing in the church once every school term.

A Catholic attending a school run by any other faith will need good strong Catholic teaching, certainly not to attend that faith’s Sunday school.
 
Randy_Carson said:
I was raised in a Methodist home and converted to Catholicism at 19 while in college. My parents are still Methodist.

It’s hard to imagine that your son is going be force-fed a strict diet of sola scriptura and the symbolic interpretation of John 6 while he’s finger-painting and making macaroni necklaces for Mother’s Day. 😛

Elementary School? Go Catholic. Preschool? “Jesus loves us” is about as radical as it’s going to get.
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I was a born and brought up Methodist and converted at the age of 44. I agree with what you said.
 
robwar said:
In general, I would agree with you but it seems like the pre-school is drawing her into sunday school, Bible study etc. If it was and the only thing, pre-school could be ok but it seems that it isn’t just stopping there and is being done to appease a husband who seems to against the Catholic church. She is being forced to compromise and not him when they married and baptized the child in the Catholic faith.
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Well said.
 
This thread raises a question: What is a Catholic? If having been baptized, sui generis, comprises the definition, then the child is Catholic by some definition. If understanding and subscribing to the ideas promulgated by the Catholic authorities is the definition, then no child of that age could be described as a Catholic any more than such a young child could be described as a Republican or a Democrat.

Is it rational to describe the child as sharing the parent’s beliefs which it can’t possibly understand? Is a child a Muslim due to an accident of birth? If this is so, then where is the value of any religion to the individual? Is religious affiliation merely a matter of parental decree?
 
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