There IS something to discuss. Your parents feed you, they clothe you, the house you, they take care of your needs and most likely they probably pay a pretty penny to send you to that Catholic school you like so much. You should be thanking God that at your age your biggest concern with your parents is mass attendance and confirmation. There are children your age who have been abandoned by their parents, whose parents are dead, or whose parents couldn’t ever dream to give them what your parents have seemingly given you.
Discussing something doesn’t always mean that either of your positions will change. It simply means that the 3 of you should calmly talk this issue through so that at the very least everyone understands each other’s positions and reasoning behind them.
99% agree (and happy to be wrong 1% of the time!)Amen to the bolded part. We see this ALL the time, although I doubt if many CAF members believe it. Many of the regular posters on CAF are very knowledgeable in the faith, raised or are trying to raise their children well, despite outside negative influences of the culture, and have a rather rosy view of the Church. We see more people worried about altar rails than the state of the formation of the children.
The reality is that many Catholics don’t believe that missing Sunday Mass is a sin, don’t go or have not been to confession in years, (ask any child preparing for Reconciliation; they often say “my daddy says he hasn’t gone in 20 years and he’s not going to start now” ) or think that soccer or any other extracurricular activity is a valid excuse for missing.
THIS is the world that catechists face. And I believe, a huge reason why no one WANTS to teach the faith. I would love to see all the people who are wonderful here on CAF teach the children right up through High School. It might make a difference. The need is HUGE.
Sorry for the rant., but it’s so frustrating. We have kids who never returned to catechesis after First Communion in 2nd grade, and then show up in High School desiring a couple of quick session so they can get Confirmed. And the can’t make the sign of the cross and don’t know any of the prayers at Mass because they haven’t been since 2nd grade. But their parents know they’ve got to “get it done”. Punch my card, so we can get out of here.
Punch my card.
Confirming in infancy will only make that worse. Catholics with a 2nd grade knowledge of the faith running around telling others what Catholics believe. Yeah, that’s a good idea.
Or reading about the position of the Bishops on Huffington Post.
I know a ton of people disagree with me, but…
No, it doesn’t make you a bad person. But I think it makes you a confused person who is going through a stage of your own unique spiritual journey. Hopefully you will find your way back.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but the above underlined part just screams out to me that you are trying desperately to gain some independence and personal understanding. I can understand not wanting to ‘go through the motions’ involving something you don’t believe in. You want to go your own way, but what is that way? What will you be doing to further explore that? I’m glad you still like going to school. I hope you continue to learn about Catholicism. Maybe without pressure and fighting and drama, you will come to understand it better.
It’s exactly that attitude that kept me chaste and somewhat unpopular when everyone else was getting in trouble. People are different. They channel their energy in different ways. Yes, it can be negative. But it can be positive too. My “I will have my way” attitude as a teenager in a Catholic high school put me up against teachers who told the class that, “the Eucharist isn’t real, it’s just a symbol”. Sometimes being aggressive and angry has it’s benefits in the right environment. If you think those teachers didn’t consider me selfish, arrogant and abrasive you are wrong. And maybe I was. After all, I took on the Dean, the religion teachers, and other students. But at least I stood up for what I believed in. I stood up for myself. But I was also considered very rebellious. It’s not wrong to make it all about you sometimes. Not all the time, but sometimes.
Joining in late, but this gets my vote for best post on this thread!
Your words sound like this is something much more than just “church.” Have you really considered this possibility?
It’s a bit hard to create dialogue or to help you when you are centering everything about yourself. Everything you have posted up to this point has only ever been about what you want. You haven’t given consideration to the other posters by replying to their questions or commenting on what they’ve said. If you’re not willing to engage us in dialogue, to see any side that is different than yours, then why are you asking us questions? It seems you are already fixed on an answer. We’re offering you answers and asking questions, none of which you seem to want to consider. If you’re so intent on your own ways, I think that already shows your maturity level. I’d ask why you feel so strongly about this but I’d probably just be ignored again. We’re trying to help you here.
It’s great you have a decent relationship with your parents. Note is the time to discuss this with them. Tell them your feelings and beliefs, BUT also tell them you will obey by going to Mass but don’t want to get Confirmed as it would be a lie.
It sounds to me like you were really overthinking this as a kid! If I had thought about it that way I would have been reluctant too! But it was 4th grade, I didn’t overthink. It was a sacrament. It gave grace. It was fine with me. I know it’s off topic, but it sounds like yet another argument for doing it earlier rather than making kids overthink the process!
That isn’t the case at my school. Like I said, there is no rule saying you have to be confirmed to go to my school. You don’t even have to be Catholic. There is a Jewish guy in my class. There are several Protestants.
Nice! Looks like you have grown up a lot the last few days…
Perhaps you and your parents could make an appointment with your pastor and just lay it all out on the table.
