My teenage son becoming a Baptist!

[pasodoble]

I am experiencing a lot of frustration and guilt. My son has been attending a Baptist Christian School since little and he is now in 10th grade. I was raise catholic, We attend catholic church every Sunday and all of my family is catholic. He received his first communion too. At the time when he entered school I had no options in the neighborhood. I was afraid of public education and did not know much about christians. My plans were to move him during his middle school years to another school. What happened at that time I gave birth to a Child with so many cogentital problems, had to go through open heart surgery. Was blind after this. Not to mention so many doctors visits and therapies. This situation made me become so worried that I let this pass. Now I am paying the consequences. I have given him a catholic bible so we can be in the same page. The day before yesterday I found I paragraph in which he prays to Christ so that his parents can see the truth. This made me cried, I am so hurt to see my son, who is such a good boy, so mature with this in his mind. Can some one guide me how can I help him. This is really depressing me so much. On the other hand I have my husband’s family acusing me of this situation. Please help me. Some one with good spiritual orientation guide me please as to what to do. God Bless you deeply. Love

 

[ZoeyBdo]

My heart goes out to you. I actually was just watching this earlier today, and came across your post, so I thought I’d share.

Perhaps you could have him watch it? I found it very insightful (I was raised Catholic as well) to see how Baptists feel about Catholics and the Catholic faith, and to see a pastor actually convert and admit he was only getting half the story.

catholicmass.co/

 

[TeenageConvert]

I never understood how someone could leave the Catholic Church, still don’t
I was raised Baptist, and converted to Catholicism when I was 13.
I don’t know what to tell you to be perfectly honest…But does he realize that the protestants took the Bible, the only infallible thing to them, and changed it to fit their twisted watered down theology?
askacatholic.com/holyquotes/documents/_all_catholic_verses.htm#purgatory
This is a good website that defends Catholic doctrine using the Bible. I’ll be praying for your son’s return to the Church!

 

[SecretGarden]

I used to attend the Baptist church for a short while, so I understand your concern, but I also think you should also find some relief that he is staying inside Christianity. He is still a teenager which means he has time to make some decisions. Just because he is attending a Baptist church now, doesn’t mean he will remain there all of his life. I think you should invest in some books that are directed towards teenagers about the Catholic church. Don’t push it at him but have them available to him for whenever he become curious. You can still attend mass together and any other activity that is happening at your parish. You can also look into some of the activities that are happening from the youth section of your diocese. For example in a couple of weeks in Montreal, Qc, a Youth summit will be happening. If you live in the area, it would be a great opportunity for your son.

The Baptist church is a great place to build a great foundation to your faith. He might eventually change his mind provided you don’t push Catholicism down his neck. Unfortunately many Baptists believe that Catholicism isn’t Christian which is a shame. This is something that we need to pray about because both sides can learn a lot from each other.

 

[bibliamalusest]

If someone you know falls away from the Faith, just be honest and tell them that if they don’t die Catholic and validly baptized and in the state of grace, “they will go into the everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels unless before the end of their lives they are joined to the Church” Pope Eugene IV, Council of Florence.

 

[Allegra]

It’s probably past the point where it will help your tenth grader, but I would quickly pull your other children from that school. (Assuming they also attend there.)

 

[TomD123]

If someone you know falls away from the Faith, just be honest and tell them that if they don’t die Catholic and validly baptized and in the state of grace, “they will go into the everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels unless before the end of their lives they are joined to the Church” Pope Eugene IV, Council of Florence.

Bibliamaluset- Not really sure why you thought this was helpful…or if you did…

To the OP:
But anyway, my prayers go out to you and your son. I would think its a good idea to talk to him about why he made the switch, and then maybe you would find that he is incorrect about something historic/theological. I think going over the history of protestantism is always a good idea, plus there are a lot of really good apologetic websites out there like: catholicbible101.com/ for example.

Lastly, I would say let him see some of the great elements of the Catholic Faith. For me, I cannot see leaving the Eucharist and Devotion to Mary. Maybe if he got to appreciate the greatness of these elements of the faith, it would be different.

Don’t be too upset, I’m in high school too and there are a lot of kids I know who go back and forth and are still sorting out their beliefs, even when it seems like they made up their minds. Us kids are still pretty immature

Trust in Jesus and Mary. Remember, St. Monica’s son was way worse off and he became a Church Father!

Hope this is helpful,
Tom

 

[MidnightSun12]

Bibliamaluset- Not really sure why you thought this was helpful…or if you did…

I agree with what Bibliamaluset was getting at. Why beat around the truth here? The real reason why we are all Catholics is because we want to go to heaven… It is a simple fact that a baptist has a much more cumbersome path to salvation then a Catholic who is armed with the Holy Eucharist, Reconcilliation, and the Rosary has.

I am all for being honest with teenagers and I truly believe that conveying this message to this child would at least be more effective then any sugar-coated message that abstracts the Truth about Christ’s church…

 

[George_Stegmeir]

I am experiencing a lot of frustration and guilt. My son has been attending a Baptist Christian School since little and he is now in 10th grade. I was raise catholic, We attend catholic church every Sunday and all of my family is catholic. He received his first communion too. At the time when he entered school I had no options in the neighborhood. I was afraid of public education and did not know much about christians. My plans were to move him during his middle school years to another school. What happened at that time I gave birth to a Child with so many cogentital problems, had to go through open heart surgery. Was blind after this. Not to mention so many doctors visits and therapies. This situation made me become so worried that I let this pass. Now I am paying the consequences. I have given him a catholic bible so we can be in the same page. The day before yesterday I found I paragraph in which he prays to Christ so that his parents can see the truth. This made me cried, I am so hurt to see my son, who is such a good boy, so mature with this in his mind. Can some one guide me how can I help him. This is really depressing me so much. On the other hand I have my husband’s family acusing me of this situation. Please help me. Some one with good spiritual orientation guide me please as to what to do. God Bless you deeply. Love

Where is your son’s father in all of this? If he is available and Catholic, have him have a “man to man” talk with your son, and if necessary pull your son out of that school.
Also, have you discussed this with a priest? I would strongly recommend that. You also could possibly have your priest over for dinner so he could discuss the situation with your son in an intimate invironment, and your son can’t very well resist meeting with the priest under these circumstances… I’m sure this will not be the first time the priest has come across this situation.
For any other parents, never send your child to a protestant oriented school if there is a parochial school nearby, and better a public school than haveing your Catholic child be exposed to a constant barrage of protesting teaching. It is not just the teachers in such an environment, but all of his protestant friends that will lure him away from the Church.

 

[anonymous_in_fl]

I don’t think the Baptist church recognizes infant baptism; is your teenage son going to be baptized in their church? If so, since he is underage ( a minor, not 18) it seems to me they would need to get the parents permission. Just my thoughts.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I am experiencing a lot of frustration and guilt. My son has been attending a Baptist Christian School since little and he is now in 10th grade. I was raise catholic, We attend catholic church every Sunday and all of my family is catholic. He received his first communion too. At the time when he entered school I had no options in the neighborhood. I was afraid of public education and did not know much about christians. My plans were to move him during his middle school years to another school. What happened at that time I gave birth to a Child with so many cogentital problems, had to go through open heart surgery. Was blind after this. Not to mention so many doctors visits and therapies. This situation made me become so worried that I let this pass. Now I am paying the consequences. I have given him a catholic bible so we can be in the same page. The day before yesterday I found I paragraph in which he prays to Christ so that his parents can see the truth. This made me cried, I am so hurt to see my son, who is such a good boy, so mature with this in his mind. Can some one guide me how can I help him. This is really depressing me so much. On the other hand I have my husband’s family acusing me of this situation. Please help me. Some one with good spiritual orientation guide me please as to what to do. God Bless you deeply. Love

Well, unfortunately, being educated in a Baptist school, he’s been indoctrinated into their theology, and they are not real tolerant of Catholicism. It’s likely that they’ve been undermining your faith since early on in his education. You aren’t going to change him back overnight. Did you do any Catholic training at home? If so, he’s got some of the truth through that. If not, you will have a Baptist son.

 

[Pax2u]

You are his parent, and he should be honoring you, as you can remind him it says in scripture. I would tell him there will be no official “conversion” to another faith until he is 18. I would also meet with the people at the school/the pastor and tell them the same thing and if they don’t respect your wishes you will pull him out.

 

[pasodoble]

I am experiencing a lot of frustration and guilt. My son has been attending a Baptist Christian School since little and he is now in 10th grade. I was raise catholic, We attend catholic church every Sunday and all of my family is catholic. He received his first communion too. At the time when he entered school I had no options in the neighborhood. I was afraid of public education and did not know much about christians. My plans were to move him during his middle school years to another school. What happened at that time I gave birth to a Child with so many cogentital problems, had to go through open heart surgery. Was blind after this. Not to mention so many doctors visits and therapies. This situation made me become so worried that I let this pass. Now I am paying the consequences. I have given him a catholic bible so we can be in the same page. The day before yesterday I found I paragraph in which he prays to Christ so that his parents can see the truth. This made me cried, I am so hurt to see my son, who is such a good boy, so mature with this in his mind. Can some one guide me how can I help him. This is really depressing me so much. Please help me. Some one with good spiritual orientation guide me please as to what to do. God Bless you deeply. Love
Should I register him for his last two years in public Education?

 

[TheRealJuliane]

pasodoble;9261907:

I am experiencing a lot of frustration and guilt. My son has been attending a Baptist Christian School since little and he is now in 10th grade. I was raise catholic, We attend catholic church every Sunday and all of my family is catholic. He received his first communion too. At the time when he entered school I had no options in the neighborhood. I was afraid of public education and did not know much about christians. My plans were to move him during his middle school years to another school. What happened at that time I gave birth to a Child with so many cogentital problems, had to go through open heart surgery. Was blind after this. Not to mention so many doctors visits and therapies. This situation made me become so worried that I let this pass. Now I am paying the consequences. I have given him a catholic bible so we can be in the same page. The day before yesterday I found I paragraph in which he prays to Christ so that his parents can see the truth. This made me cried, I am so hurt to see my son, who is such a good boy, so mature with this in his mind. Can some one guide me how can I help him. This is really depressing me so much. Please help me. Some one with good spiritual orientation guide me please as to what to do. God Bless you deeply. Love
Should I register him for his last two years in public Education?

Tough call. You’re in a bad position either way. He could rebel and get really angry at you for removing him from his friends and what he perceives as his faith. He’s going on 18 and could conceivably quit school at that point.

I would not do that without a long talk with him and full cooperation. Have you talked to him about all of this? He’s not a child any more. You really can’t just change things without his buy-in. Well, you CAN, but it’s not going to help your relationship.

 

[pasodoble]

pasodoble;9266898:

Tough call. You’re in a bad position either way. He could rebel and get really angry at you for removing him from his friends and what he perceives as his faith. He’s going on 18 and could conceivably quit school at that point.

I would not do that without a long talk with him and full cooperation. Have you talked to him about all of this? He’s not a child any more. You really can’t just change things without his buy-in. Well, you CAN, but it’s not going to help your relationship.

I spoke to him about the change of school and he is willing to attend the public school in the area. I have prayed so much and God is guiding me. He seems open and says that he will respect my decisions. that he just want to close that chapter. The he understands. Thanks to virgen Mary. Blessing to all.

 

[scwendy]

OP, as a mother who has and is weathering the teenage years, take heart.

I agree with PPs who have mentioned the influence of the school he was attending, but I want you to know that in my humble few years as a mom of teenagers and heck, as a teenager/young adult myself that one’s supposed religious affiliation IS NOT always set in stone by the teenage years. YES, there are cradle Catholics, cradle Baptists and so on, but there are many, many who find their way to their ultimate faith after they have grown up and experienced life a bit more.

Don’t beat yourself up. You did the best you could do with the information at hand when you chose schools.

Your family is in my prayers.

 

[pasodoble]

OP, as a mother who has and is weathering the teenage years, take heart.

I agree with PPs who have mentioned the influence of the school he was attending, but I want you to know that in my humble few years as a mom of teenagers and heck, as a teenager/young adult myself that one’s supposed religious affiliation IS NOT always set in stone by the teenage years. YES, there are cradle Catholics, cradle Baptists and so on, but there are many, many who find their way to their ultimate faith after they have grown up and experienced life a bit more.

Don’t beat yourself up. You did the best you could do with the information at hand when you chose schools.

Your family is in my prayers.

 

[pasodoble]

Thank you so much for your comment . You made me feel much better. Thank God my son is very mature and open. He accepted to be placed in the public system since Is to late to to look for a private. He is only 2 years away from graduation. He is cooperating, I think he will forget this religion, it is just a teenage period he going through. I am glad we are leaving this school. I feel.peace already. I just need to pray so God and Mary will keep him safe always. God bless you.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

TheRealJuliane;9266913:

I spoke to him about the change of school and he is willing to attend the public school in the area. I have prayed so much and God is guiding me. He seems open and says that he will respect my decisions. that he just want to close that chapter. The he understands. Thanks to virgen Mary. Blessing to all.

Good for you and good for him!

 

[Pax2u]

I am so happy that he is willingly switching schools. He sounds like a really good kid…so just keep praying and I’m sure he’ll be ok!