How to answer a question from someone about him Converting

[rabbitdonkey]

how would you give advice to someone asks how he can convert even though he’s only 15 and his parents are devout baptists. I dont know how to advise him, can someone tell me what I should say

Thank You

 

[ProdglArchitect]

Well, for starters, always reinforce the fact that he is obligated to honor his parents. If he has the desire to convert, but his parents won’t allow him to, God won’t hold it against him.

The advice they usually give on CAL is that he should honor his parent’s wishes on the matter, but show them how he has changed in regards to this. He should start studying the faith in depth, to show that this is not some ad hoc decision he’s making. If they aren’t willing to take him to mass, then he should ask if they would allow him to attend Bible study at the parish. He might also ask if he could attend RCIA to learn about the faith. There is no obligation attached to the classes, and no cost (except maybe to cover the cost of study materials, it depends on the parish.)

If his parents are completely against it, then he’s going to have to live with that. I know it seems like a long time right now, but it’s only three years until he’ll be able to make the decision for himself. The church will still be here in three years, and if he truly desires to convert, God knows that, and God will honor that desire, even if his parents won’t.

Above all, tell him to keep involved in the faith, even if it’s only through study. We’d love to have him on the forums here, and EWTN has a boat-load of free materials, shows, etc. that he could listen to so he can stay engaged prior to his conversion, as does Catholic Answers. One of my personal favorites programs is Christ is the Answer.

 

[Della]

Well, for starters, always reinforce the fact that he is obligated to honor his parents. If he has the desire to convert, but his parents won’t allow him to, God won’t hold it against him.

The advice they usually give on CAL is that he should honor his parent’s wishes on the matter, but show them how he has changed in regards to this. He should start studying the faith in depth, to show that this is not some ad hoc decision he’s making. If they aren’t willing to take him to mass, then he should ask if they would allow him to attend Bible study at the parish. He might also ask if he could attend RCIA to learn about the faith. There is no obligation attached to the classes, and no cost (except maybe to cover the cost of study materials, it depends on the parish.)

If his parents are completely against it, then he’s going to have to live with that. I know it seems like a long time right now, but it’s only three years until he’ll be able to make the decision for himself. The church will still be here in three years, and if he truly desires to convert, God knows that, and God will honor that desire, even if his parents won’t.

Above all, tell him to keep involved in the faith, even if it’s only through study. We’d love to have him on the forums here, and EWTN has a boat-load of free materials, shows, etc. that he could listen to so he can stay engaged prior to his conversion, as does Catholic Answers. One of my personal favorites programs is Christ is the Answer.

Yes and amen, to all of the above.

 

[rabbitdonkey]

Thank you for your responses. But what about Christ’s words in the Gospel of Mathew 10:37. Also by CAL do you mean Catholic Answers Live. Also would a good way to deal with this, would be to show the truth of the Catholic Faith to his baptist parents, so maybe they would convert as well with him.

God Bless

 

[St_Francis]

Thank you for your responses. But what about Christ’s words in the Gospel of Mathew 10:37. Also by CAL do you mean Catholic Answers Live. Also would a good way to deal with this, would be to show the truth of the Catholic Faith to his baptist parents, so maybe they would convert as well with him.

God Bless

The best way to convert relatives is to show them how the Faith has changed and improved one.

He should definitely not “try to convert” his parents by discussing Catholicism with them as this has such a high potential to lead to fighting or at least exasperation on everyone’s part. Naturally he is very enthusiastic, but it is not his place.

Through prayer and study, he will (hopefully) naturally become more mature, more obedient, more helpful, etc. This will hopefully be noticed by his parents.

If his parents are open to his attending RCIA, he can ask them to join him, but remain very careful about handling discussions that may arise. some may be along the lines of, “I never thought about that,” but others may be more like “How can they think that!” and he should definitely allow his parents to walk their own spiritual path.

You can help him by introducing him to Catholic practices like the Rosary and mental prayer, the saints, and other aspects of Catholicism.

 

[rabbitdonkey]

I will ask him to ask a good Priest and try to evangelize his parents. Thank you

God Bless

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Thank you for your responses. But what about Christ’s words in the Gospel of Mathew 10:37.

Honoring your father and mother (and obeying them, as a minor should) doesn’t mean you love them more than Christ. Even Jesus had to do what Mary and Joseph told him to as a child.

Also by CAL do you mean Catholic Answers Live. Also would a good way to deal with this, would be to show the truth of the Catholic Faith to his baptist parents, so maybe they would convert as well with him.

God Bless

I would be extremely careful and cautious here. That could work - it could also blow up and cause the situation with the parents to become more strained and hostile toward the Church, and at the age of 15, hostile situations can destroy a faith-life.

I would offer to talk with the parents and - only if they are willing or at their invitation - listen to their concerns/objections, and gently show them official Church teaching, one small thing at a time. It’s much more important for this young man to show his parents he’s living a devout Christian life rather than expounding on doctrine at this stage. Besides, maybe the parents would be open to his exploration and learning if they didn’t think conversion was imminent (although it doesn’t sound like that’s the case). Otherwise, he simply needs to live as good of a Christian life as he knows how outside the Church until he’s of age to make the decision freely.

 

[rabbitdonkey]

Hello,
thank you for your responses. I should’ve said this before,sorry but I dont know him personally. youtube.com/watch?v=Xy6XXJXImig can someone reply to his comment on this video and reccomend he talks to a good Priest, my comments dont appear after I log out.

God Bless

 

[Rosebud77]

Don’t try to convert kids who aren’t your own. Just wait for three years. And if he really wants to convert that badly, he’ll go to his parents himself.