Evangelical parents and raising Catholic children, need advice about meddling

[Todd977]

You might get more advice by posting your question over in the Family Life forum, link.

If you are not willing to address this issue with your parents directly, then you are going to have to review their gifts to your daughter to make sure they don’t contain anything objectionable before giving them to her.

Is it possible to remove or cut out or cover up or white out or black out the offending passages in the book she now has?

 

[Dmitri77]

What makes you compare Protestantism- a branch of Christianity, and firmly within the bounds of little o Christian orthodoxy, as it pertains to key doctrines on the Trinity and on Christology- to witchcraft? Is it because of the particular phrasing of Catholic anathemas from several centuries ago, written at a time when the Protestant-Catholic conflict was raging violently and both sides were right in the breach of the conflict, and in the worst type of relationship to one another? Are you really going to pull those types of things into the 21st century, as if things haven’t massively changed since then? I mean, if you really want to go back to that time and place, I’m sure you could have found plenty of Catholics who very much wanted to eliminate Protestantism by de-legalizing it everywhere and punishing those who taught any of it. And you could find the Catholic Church, in an official capacity, supporting exactly that strategy even past the point where it was clearly not going to work. I assume you’re not bringing that part of Catholic history into this century with you though, am I right?

Lets stick with the question at hand. I compared books on Protestantism to books on witchcraft in order illustrate the principle and my point, that parents have a right to control what their children are exposed to and prevent them from reading things the parents deem are unhealthy or dangerous. Do you agree with that principle?

Unless the kids are being raised non-Catholic and to any extent anti-Catholic, in which case any and all Catholic relatives are encouraged to go to bat for the Catholic Truth up to whatever point they reach stiff resistance. I’ve seen enough of the family-related threads on here to have an idea of how people actually respond to this when it’s going the other way.

The logic really isn’t applied the same in both situations. It’s not. I see things, I know what’s going on. That’s my main point.

If a Catholic felt they have a right to expose another person’s child to Catholicism even if the parents didn’t want to allow it then they would be a hypocrite.

 

[RPRPsych]

My advice: Pick your battles. Is a child’s gift about Jesus from grandparents who are presumably giving the gift with respectful intentions a battle worth fighting? Or is it more important to keep the peace and then remove the book or clarify the points of the book when the child is of the appropriate age?

One of my favorite sayings is “win the battle, lose the war.”

This is actually a situation where the Church’s current stance may be helpful. Do the Popes since St. John XXIII believe Protestant theology is true and perfect? No. But do they try to engage in meaningful dialogue rather than polemic, the polemic that “does not cure patients, but makes them incurable”*? Yes.

And besides, it’s not like your child isn’t going to be exposed to Evangelicalism (and a host of other -isms) later in life. My own social circle is full of “cradle Catholics” who became Evangelical or Pentecostal later in life, despite their parents’ best intentions.

In cases like this, it’s best to (a) look for common ground (have a look at the “Evangelicals and Catholics Together” document, which I believe is free online), (b) continue teaching the faith when talking to your child, and (c) as your child grows, point out the logical flaws in Calvinist theology, as well as the points of contact it has with authentic Catholic doctrine. However, if your parents cross the line into all-out anti-Catholicism (say, giving your children “Chick Tracts” or the works of Lorraine Boettner), then take the gloves off. There are limits to everything.

• St. Peter Canisius, writing hundreds of years ago. No, he wasn’t at Vatican Council II.

 

[St_Pancake]

Honestly, I wonder if they are trying to make a statement, or if they just don’t understand all of the differences and would understand why a catholic wouldn’t agree with those books. In fact, they may not have even read the book at all, they just thought it would be a nice book about Jesus. I know that before I was catholic I gave my Godson christian themed books and I never read any of them first. I just assumed they would be ok because they were cute and about Jesus.

I think that maybe the next gift giving event comes up, you could suggest a catholic line of books your daughter would like as a gift. Don’t say it in a way that is controversial, but more like “hey (child) really is loving this book series, just thought you’d like to know since her birthday is coming up.”

If they do end up gifting your daughter something you don’t agree with, I would just graciously accept and then either don’t give it to her, or use it as an example of what other christians believe and why the catholic church doesn’t believe those things.

I would hate for a wedge to continue growing between you and your parents over gifts. Ultimately us converts want to show our Protestant family and friends how our faith has made us better people, not critical people.

I’ve bought Christian themed books for adults and regretted it.

 

[RPRPsych]

I’ve bought Christian themed books for adults and regretted it.

Tell me about it. At home, we had an “Encyclopedia of the Bible” that I started studying carefully when I was rediscovering my faith - only to find that it endorsed the Lutheran and Calvinist viewpoints. As Donald Duck would say, “Ah, phooey!” I ultimately got more mileage out of the secular “Asimov’s Guide To The Bible” (written by an atheist, but full of historical goodies) than that particular book.

By the way, love the user name! Who is he/she the patron of?

 

[St_Pancake]

Tell me about it. At home, we had an “Encyclopedia of the Bible” that I started studying carefully when I was rediscovering my faith - only to find that it endorsed the Lutheran and Calvinist viewpoints. As Donald Duck would say, “Ah, phooey!” I ultimately got more mileage out of the secular “Asimov’s Guide To The Bible” (written by an atheist, but full of historical goodies) than that particular book.

By the way, love the user name! Who is he/she the patron of?

When I was 20, and at that time a Baptist, I bought my mother a book that the liner talked about her struggles to be a good mother without going into details. Turns out, it was a book about a Christian mother than had a Gay son and how she handled it when he “came out”.

For about a year, my mother expected me to say I was gay. (no, not me)

 

[badnewsbarrett]

Lets stick with the question at hand. I compared books on Protestantism to books on witchcraft in order illustrate the principle and my point, that parents have a right to control what their children are exposed to and prevent them from reading things the parents deem are unhealthy or dangerous. Do you agree with that principle?

Oh, I think I see now. You picked witchcraft because this is more clearly unhealthy and dangerous, and perhaps because people usually don’t think of their parents (and grandparents of their children) as people who might practice witchcraft. People who practice witchcraft are rare, they’re in someone else’s family, they’re a more distant threat. Which is not at all the situation that we’re talking about.

More to the point- and the OP can correct me if I’m wrong, that may be but we will see- I don’t believe the goal here is to protect a child from something that is harmful or dangerous. The goal is to prevent a child from potentially being influenced by her grandparents to leave Catholicism for another form of Christianity.

Now, I do understand that when babies are baptized you basically pledge to bring the child up in the faith and thoroughly instruct in all things Catholic. I don’t think there’s any promises being made having to do with silencing and/or censoring your Christian family members who are non-Catholic, though. And for someone who is a somewhat recent-ish convert of the Tiber swimmer variety despite the misgivings of these very parents in question, it should be fairly easy to understand that having opportunities to convert- and then personally deciding what to do with them without undue interference from family members- is fair play. Being the type of parent who censors and restricts other family members so that your ideas are Exclusively presented, so that you retain a total monopoly on the religious instruction of your child…that is the opposite of fair play. Honestly, isn’t it enough for you to have the last word and to be able to explain everything and give your personal commentary?

That being said, I suppose parents have a right to shield their kids from things that are actually unhealthy or dangerous. Like witchcraft. But not at all like Calvinism, so it’s a moot point as far as I can tell.

If a Catholic felt they have a right to expose another person’s child to Catholicism even if the parents didn’t want to allow it then they would be a hypocrite.

Of course people are going to play around with the wording, they won’t say “I will meddle” or “I will interfere.” But they will talk about the regrettable damage that is done when someone teaches their children awful lies about the Catholic Church, and how damaging that sort of anti-Catholic bias is when it’s within your own family. And then- without using any words that make you look like a bad guy- the general goal is, in effect, to do whatever you can to help everyone, the kids included, to be less anti-Catholic and maybe plant a seed that eventually leads to some conversions. No meddling, to intrusion, no exposure, no going behind people’s backs, not as long as you are the one with a noble goal. But you do try and get it done.

And yet somehow, no matter how many times you might find yourself on That side of the conversation, it’s impossible to imagine that someone on the other side of it is going through pretty much the same process. If the other guy does it, that’s a malicious meddling and intrusive person. Also, thank you for the nice gift, it’s lovely. Mom and Dad.

The truth, in general, is this. Everyone is pretty much doing the same thing. They want everyone to be on the same team, but they don’t want to break any rules or hurt anyone’s feelings in the process of trying to make it happen. This applies for those who are playing offense and those who are playing defense, so to say. Once again, fair play needs to go both ways, it can’t just be self-serving no matter how strongly you feel that you are the only one who has all the truth. Even if that is so, fair play is paramount. That’s a negotiated arrangement, it’s not set in stone. But it doesn’t help to come at it from a demonizing standpoint, as if the evil Calvinists are basically standing in for practitioners of the dark arts and they want to drag your child’s soul to hell. That’s not who these people are, and that is objectively not the kind of thing that’s being protected against. Saying that it is- even if one were to say so in the capacity of being a parent- does not make it so.

 

[RPRPsych]

When I was 20, and at that time a Baptist, I bought my mother a book that the liner talked about her struggles to be a good mother without going into details. Turns out, it was a book about a Christian mother than had a Gay son and how she handled it when he “came out”.

For about a year, my mother expected me to say I was gay. (no, not me)

Oh, dear…

 

[KildareBrigid]

I’ve bought Christian themed books for adults and regretted it.

Oh yeah, when I was exploring my faith I bought/received some Protestant books. At one point I was attending a non denominational church with like 5 locations who’s pastor’s sermon was broadcast via a theatre screen at all locations, was writing books and doing “book signings” at the locations he doesn’t actually preach in person at. Oh, and yes, you had to buy the book.

That was one of the reasons I decided I needed to really re examine my faith.

 

[RPRPsych]

That being said, I suppose parents have a right to shield their kids from things that are actually unhealthy or dangerous. Like witchcraft. But not at all like Calvinism, so it’s a moot point as far as I can tell.

Sorry to play Devil’s Advocate, but if one considers the historical trajectories and current governmental policies of those countries which were historically Calvinist, or embraced Calvinism in a big way, you might want to reconsider that statement.

No one is comparing Calvinism with witchcraft, which is direct contact with the demonic. But that does not mean it isn’t unhealthy or dangerous (in a spiritual sense).

 

[jmcrae]

I wonder why they can’t find nice, good Catholic kids books instead:shrug:

Because they are trying (with the best of intentions) to undermine you. They think your kids are going to Hell, and they want to save them. They’re too polite to say so, of course.

Please help, thanks!

Explain to them that the Catholic Church was established by Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world, and that your kids have a better chance of getting to Heaven than they do, so please lay off giving them heretical books - and by the way, here’s something you should read (while handing them Rome Sweet Home, or something like that).

Sorry to be so blunt and politically incorrect, but several people died stupidly and horribly this morning, and I’m not really in my right mind.

 

[badnewsbarrett]

Sorry to play Devil’s Advocate, but if one considers the historical trajectories and current governmental policies of those countries which were historically Calvinist, or embraced Calvinism in a big way, you might want to reconsider that statement.

No one is comparing Calvinism with witchcraft, which is direct contact with the demonic. But that does not mean it isn’t unhealthy or dangerous (in a spiritual sense).

As far as I know, the countries you’re referencing are primarily the English-speaking parts of North America, England itself, Scotland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France and then later not France, parts of Germany which is really mostly Lutheran and Catholic…am I missing any? I’m not sure how much Scandinavia counts toward this, but I will point out that when The Economist scored every country in the world on how strong their democracy (or lack thereof) is, Norway is number 1 in the world with a composite score of 9.93 out of 10, Sweden is third and Finland is 8th. Canada is 7th and Switzerland is 6th, all with scores above 9. That’s almost everybody on this Calvinism list, and they all score extremely well in terms of civil liberties, functioning of government, political participation, electoral process, political culture- everything that goes into the overall score. It’s not easy to score so well in all of these categories, but these are the countries that are doing it.

I think I’m also missing the main point, which would have to do with the doom and gloom that one might broadly associate with their historical trajectories (taking turns as global powerhouses? Laying the groundwork for the European Union and other important alignments?) and current governmental policies (kind of a range of different things, but taken as a whole, leaders and trendsetters for the developed world who possess a disproportionate amount of wealth, power, and influence). In a more global context, it seems likely that you would put “Group Of (one number or another)” in front of their names in order to describe what sort of alignment they might have.

Unless I’m missing something, or overlooking some countries where Calvinism got to and really took hold, whatever problems these countries might have are most likely what I would describe as “First World Problems.” You know, the kinds of problems that most of the world wishes they could have. I can think of those kinds of problems a lot more readily than actual problems that are truly worrisome.

 

[RPRPsych]

As far as I know, the countries you’re referencing are primarily the English-speaking parts of North America, England itself, Scotland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France and then later not France, parts of Germany which is really mostly Lutheran and Catholic…am I missing any? I’m not sure how much Scandinavia counts toward this, but I will point out that when The Economist scored every country in the world on how strong their democracy (or lack thereof) is, Norway is number 1 in the world with a composite score of 9.93 out of 10, Sweden is third and Finland is 8th. Canada is 7th and Switzerland is 6th, all with scores above 9. That’s almost everybody on this Calvinism list, and they all score extremely well in terms of civil liberties, functioning of government, political participation, electoral process, political culture- everything that goes into the overall score. It’s not easy to score so well in all of these categories, but these are the countries that are doing it.

I think I’m also missing the main point, which would have to do with the doom and gloom that one might broadly associate with their historical trajectories (taking turns as global powerhouses? Laying the groundwork for the European Union and other important alignments?) and current governmental policies (kind of a range of different things, but taken as a whole, leaders and trendsetters for the developed world who possess a disproportionate amount of wealth, power, and influence). In a more global context, it seems likely that you would put “Group Of (one number or another)” in front of their names in order to describe what sort of alignment they might have.

Unless I’m missing something, or overlooking some countries where Calvinism got to and really took hold, whatever problems these countries might have are most likely what I would describe as “First World Problems.” You know, the kinds of problems that most of the world wishes they could have. I can think of those kinds of problems a lot more readily than actual problems that are truly worrisome.

I was referring more to things like gay marriage, abortion and so on. “Fear not those who can destroy the body, but fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in Hell.” Mere political or military power does not indicate that a system of belief is correct.

But let me stop derailing the thread. As a Catholic parent, I have the right to protect my children from anything that would harm them spiritually. Sometimes the threat is obvious (the occult), and sometimes it is more insidious (Calvinism). But the right and the duty remain.

 

[zaffiroborant]

The main point though, is that grandparents are going to be involved. There are limits, but in general they shouldn’t be censored. I don’t know why you bring up the age of 3 because the daughter is 7 now, but if Protestant grandparents want to help their granddaughter understand that Protestant beliefs are coherent, well-developed, and thoroughly Christian in nature, that should not be restricted.

Grandparents being involved is not a given, it depends on how respectful they are of the parents and their right to raise children as they see fit. And certainly a grandparent should “butt out” of the religious upbringing of the their grandchildren and any parent should censor or control the information from those who try to influence their children’s religious and moral upbringing if it conflicts with their own.

Suppose the shoe were on the other foot, everyone. Suppose you’re talking to a Catholic mother- whose daughter becomes Protestant- and then there’s some bright young children being raised in a Protestant home, while the Catholic grandparents try to slip a couple of things in there so that their faith isn’t entirely obscured in this family dynamic. I promise you, all of you would encourage those Catholic grandparents to tactfully get some things in there, plant some seeds because hopefully you can give those kids a chance.

If you can’t apply the same logic in both situations, something is wrong with your logic. Know that.

I will apply the same logic in both situations. It is wrong to proselytize children always even if they are your grandchildren. Yes it is a very fine and difficult line to walk for all parties, but everyone should respect the parents right and obligation to raise them in the church they believe in and should refrain from actively undermining the parents beliefs and authority.

 

[Edmundus1581]

Because they are trying (with the best of intentions) to undermine you. They think your kids are going to Hell, and they want to save them. They’re too polite to say so,

Especially the first sentence. OP would know best whether the grandparent’s branch of Christianity says that Catholics are going to hell. I guess the Calvinism in the books would point that way.

 

[Blacksword]

Oh, I think I see now. You picked witchcraft because this is more clearly unhealthy and dangerous, and perhaps because people usually don’t think of their parents (and grandparents of their children) as people who might practice witchcraft. People who practice witchcraft are rare, they’re in someone else’s family, they’re a more distant threat. Which is not at all the situation that we’re talking about.

More to the point- and the OP can correct me if I’m wrong, that may be but we will see- I don’t believe the goal here is to protect a child from something that is harmful or dangerous. The goal is to prevent a child from potentially being influenced by her grandparents to leave Catholicism for another form of Christianity.

Now, I do understand that when babies are baptized you basically pledge to bring the child up in the faith and thoroughly instruct in all things Catholic. I don’t think there’s any promises being made having to do with silencing and/or censoring your Christian family members who are non-Catholic, though. And for someone who is a somewhat recent-ish convert of the Tiber swimmer variety despite the misgivings of these very parents in question, it should be fairly easy to understand that having opportunities to convert- and then personally deciding what to do with them without undue interference from family members- is fair play. Being the type of parent who censors and restricts other family members so that your ideas are Exclusively presented, so that you retain a total monopoly on the religious instruction of your child…that is the opposite of fair play. Honestly, isn’t it enough for you to have the last word and to be able to explain everything and give your personal commentary?

No, the goal here is not to prevent any potential influences that might cause my daughters to leave Catholicism, but rather to prevent them from the spiritual confusion that likely will result from people who all claim to be “Christian” providing them different theologies and clearly arguing about what that means. This, at her age, is all she would be likely to get out of it, and may conclude “Well apparently Christians don’t even know what they believe”! This sort of confusion can lead to someone leaving any faith altogether by the time they grow up. And again, I’m sorry but nobody I’ve ever heard of that’s actually trying to pass on a religious faith to their children goes about giving them serious exposure to other faiths at such young ages. I’ve never heard of, and doubt I ever would hear of, a Baptist teaching their children how to pray the rosary, and then going about explaining to them all the reasons they think that what they’ve just taught them is wrong!

 

[Blacksword]

Especially the first sentence. OP would know best whether the grandparent’s branch of Christianity says that Catholics are going to hell. I guess the Calvinism in the books would point that way.

Yeah, this is where Protestantism can get really confusing even when you were raised in a Protestant tradition and REALLY know and understand the Bible as it was taught to you. The whole TULIP, five points Calvinism that is conveyed in this book isn’t even in keeping with the Baptist upbringing my parents gave me!!

I grew up in Fundamentalist leaning Baptist churches that emphasized very much the balance between the foreknowledge of God and Predestination with the free will of man and open offer of grace to all. Limited Atonement and Irresistible Grace had NOTHING in common with this at all, “wither free will?” would have been my question (and my parent’s question as well) during my time as a Protestant. But recently my father has been reading Calvin’s writing in study with his Baptist church pastor, and so now apparently they may have decided they’re five points Calvinists? Who knows?

 

[Edmundus1581]

Yeah, this is where Protestantism can get really confusing even when you were raised in a Protestant tradition and REALLY know and understand the Bible as it was taught to you.
…
But recently my father has been reading Calvin’s writing in study with his Baptist church pastor, and so now apparently they may have decided they’re five points Calvinists? Who knows?

Nice of them to include your daughter in their journey!

This takes me back to one of the smartest decisions I ever made. I got serious about my Protestant Christianity at age 20. Soon I had some theological difficulties which I attempted to resolve first by reading the bible for myself, and then, after more confusion, consulting “mature” (in their own esteem) Christians. Within 6 months of this I realized that I could spend a whole lifetime of study over any single issue, and still not be any closure to the biblical answer! Hmmm… I thought… maybe those amusing Catholics aren’t so amusing after all… , and never looked back! So glad I wasn’t content to live with these endless debates.

As for the “mature” Christians I consulted in my 20’s? Most are still lovely people and friends, but theologically they’ve just continued down the various paths they were on then (Pentecostal, Reformed, Episcopalean etc.), while dividing further over recent theological developments. Years of theological studies, self-directed bible reading, ministry and community have turned out for them as I expected the would turn out for me if I’d stayed in Protestantism, ie. each certain of their own beliefs, and just agreeing to “live and let live” over fundamental contradictions.

 

[mattp0625]

Hello,

I’m looking for advice on what, if anything, to do about this growing problem. My parents are wonderful people in many ways, and are very committed Christians, but sadly of a long-held family tradition for us of the Baptist/Evangelical/Fundamentalist variety.

I entered the Catholic Church in 2011, very happily having been convinced of its truth claims about itself, and have never looked back. They did not react well to this, but certainly better than many in their shoes might, so I am not trying to bag on them or be overly negative, but this is a growing problem I’m seeing as my children grow older now…My oldest daughter is now 7, and is incredibly, frighteningly brilliant (she asked me at the age of 3 if “God founded the Catholic Church” so not bragging, she’s really bright), and she loves her young Catholic faith, was baptized right after I entered the Church, and loves reading Scripture and learning about things.

So the folks were here for my second daughter’s birthday, and bought a book as a gift, “The Ology” by Marty Machowski…it’s a kid’s book, but basically lays out a comprehensive theology for kids. It’s great in some respects, until it isn’t, as it becomes clear as I reviewed it that it’s written from a five point Calvinist perspective, having sections on “Irresistible Grace”, major issues with the Protestant teaching it gives on Baptism, the Eucharist, the nature of the Church as the Body of Christ, the nature of Salvation, etc. The usual issues. This is unfortunately not the first time this has occurred, as they’ve bought my daughters other books and stuff like this before that are not wholly in keeping with Catholic truth, but this book is now the most…advanced sort of material along these lines. I can see this getting worse as time goes on. So what am I to do? My daughter already loves this book, but when she starts getting to these problematic sections this is going to be confusing and maybe harmful to her spiritual development as she’s still too young to have the reasons for the errors of Protestantism to be discussed in serious depth, instead it’ll just confuse her.

Does anyone have any advise on how to deal with grandparents who seem to be trying to divert the religious upbringing I’m attempting? I wonder why they can’t find nice, good Catholic kids books instead:shrug:

Please help, thanks!

Give them a copy of The Protestant’s Dilemma or introduce them to John Smyth.

EWTN’s The Journey Home features a few interviews you may find interesting - Dr Wesley Vincent, Dr David Anders, and Brandon Barker.

 

[badnewsbarrett]

I’ve been away for awhile, but now I’m going to hazard a reply.

No, the goal here is not to prevent any potential influences that might cause my daughters to leave Catholicism, but rather to prevent them from the spiritual confusion that likely will result from people who all claim to be “Christian” providing them different theologies and clearly arguing about what that means.

If you were to cover the full scope of all opinions and controversies within the whole of Christianity, that would be confusing. Actually, that would be confusing for almost anyone. These are her grandparents though, and because they are her grandparents, there are some things that she should know about them right away…and as time goes by, her grandparents ought to be able to say for themselves what they are all about.

Some things that she should probably know right now, without being at all confused, are as follows. Her grandparents are Christians, and she can expect that they will probably go to heaven. Her grandparents love Jesus very much, just as she does, but they don’t love the Catholic Church like you do. Her grandparents believe some things that are different than what she believes, but that doesn’t prevent them from loving Jesus or from expecting to be in Heaven with her one day. And of course her grandparents love her very much, and religious differences don’t have any effect on that. If she doesn’t understand all of these things pretty well by now, I’d suggest that she is capable of understanding them and the sooner the better.

The totality of Christian controversy is confusing, but you don’t have to explain all of it at a young age because it’s got nothing to do with your family. The totality of what Calvinism teaches that doesn’t align with Catholicism is confusing for anyone, but at some point you should allow your parents to explain what they believe for themselves. That’s the right thing to do. On the other hand, if you were to try and explain vincible vs. invincible ignorance as it relates to her grandparents, or if you were to try and explain how Calvinists who don’t love the Catholic Church are still saved by and through the Catholic Church no matter what they personally believe in the matter, that would also be terribly confusing. If it were up to me, I’d say you should never instruct her in either of these things as it relates to her grandparents, and if she goes through her whole life without gaining any familiarity with either concept, that would be just fine. But that’s my personal opinion.

This, at her age, is all she would be likely to get out of it, and may conclude “Well apparently Christians don’t even know what they believe”!

Christians do disagree with each other quite a lot, they often have a bad understanding of what other Christians actually believe, and many Christians hardly know the first thing about what they are supposed to believe. All of this is true- and you may be contributing to some of these problems within your own family, specifically the part where Christians don’t understand each other and don’t know anything about the beliefs of other Christians.

This sort of confusion can lead to someone leaving any faith altogether by the time they grow up.

If a Catholic child has no exposure to the rest of Christianity and then drifts away from the Catholic Church, they’ll leave Christianity altogether and probably cohabitate with a non-religious person. Wouldn’t it be better for young people to have a fallback option that discourages bad life decisions and then hope they can revert from there at some point?

Making her understand that Catholicism is the only Christian option may be simple, but it’s also fairly deceptive. There are in fact many other options when it comes to Christianity, and that basic fact is not too hard for anyone to understand. Understanding all the details of all the conflict and disagreement is hard, but you don’t have to cover all that- just some of the simple facts that pertain to your actual family.

And again, I’m sorry but nobody I’ve ever heard of that’s actually trying to pass on a religious faith to their children goes about giving them serious exposure to other faiths at such young ages. I’ve never heard of, and doubt I ever would hear of, a Baptist teaching their children how to pray the rosary, and then going about explaining to them all the reasons they think that what they’ve just taught them is wrong!

I’ve never heard of that either, but I have heard of families that have some Catholics and some Protestants within the family, and otherwise-Protestant kids will learn some of the basic facts about why Catholics are sometimes meatless, what the Hail Mary is and why it’s done, just so they have a basic understanding and a basic level of respect for what family members will sometimes do. I wouldn’t- again, I would Not- suggest that inter-denominational education needs to be done comprehensively as a rule, but I would- yes, I Would- suggest that if you have some other type of Christianity in your family, muzzling your own parents and treating them with suspicion and disrespect is not the best way to handle the situation in the medium or long term.

To everyone else- I want you to notice that I made a point of talking about the actual thing that’s happening and the actual situation that’s in play, I didn’t change the story in order to make it about something else. I didn’t arbitrarily replace Catholic teaching with sorcery or witchcraft, and I didn’t decide to replace Catholic parents with amoral hedonists just for the sake of making a bad point seem better than it is. I talked about what’s actually happening, and that is the right way to go about doing this.