Parents of teenagers: do you allow your teens to go to non-denom Youth Groups?

[SinSinChcknDinn]

Hello, I’m new here, and I was wondering about the opinions of Catholic parents allowing their teens to attend Non-Catholic, non-denominational Youth Groups?

We’ve recently moved to a very small town and our teen daughter went to a Youth Group this Wednesday (without asking first). Typically I would say “no” only because I know how pressure-orientated non-denominational Christians can be. However, it is a very small town and they could get into much worse things. I’ve explained to both teenage girls that IF they go (still need to discuss with dad) they need to be able to defend their faith and not be ashamed. Both are also about to start RE for Confirmation. For now: I’ve set a rule that they’re not allowed to attend ANY church function outside of a RCC church without our permission.

Your thoughts and opinions please? I’d like more (name removed by moderator)ut before discussing this with dad. Thank you.

 

[C794]

I’m not sure I’ll be much help considering I’m only 18, but since I came from a non-denominational/Baptist church I figured I’d give my opinion. First of all I think the requirement that they obtain permission before taking part in non-Catholic church events is good. In any of these it’s quite likely that Bible verses will be taken out of context. One of the purposes of youth groups is to help grow in faith. In this case that would be difficult because some of what is presented would be false. Also, being led away from the Church is a real risk. As a result, I agree that knowing how to defend their faith is a must. If they don’t, attending poses a real risk.

In addition, I want to note that these groups could be done in two different styles. First, they could be anti-Catholic. In this case there wouldn’t be much point in going. In such an environment someone who isn’t able to defend their faith could be pulled out of the Church. If they are able to defend their faith, there’d be a chance that they would stop going out of frustration. If it’s like my former church, on the other hand, it won’t be very theological. In this case what’s presented would be pretty basic; mostly just how to live a Christ-like life in the modern world; the typical Protestant beliefs would also be present (solas fide and scriptura, OSAS, and believer’s Baptism) In such an environment I have a hard time imagining they would try to convert a Catholic. The goal would be to help Protestant teens grow. Still any Catholic teenager would need to be on their guard. There would be teachings that contradict Catholicism and verses that were taken out of context. Also our theological differences may come up in conversations.

I think the second option could, possibly be safe, but if a Catholic youth group is available go there instead. It would be able to do all that the Protestant one can, while remaining faithful to the Catholic Church.

 

[Jon_S_1]

Hello, I’m new here, and I was wondering about the opinions of Catholic parents allowing their teens to attend Non-Catholic, non-denominational Youth Groups?

We’ve recently moved to a very small town and our teen daughter went to a Youth Group this Wednesday (without asking first). Typically I would say “no” only because I know how pressure-orientated non-denominational Christians can be. However, it is a very small town and they could get into much worse things. I’ve explained to both teenage girls that IF they go (still need to discuss with dad) they need to be able to defend their faith and not be ashamed. Both are also about to start RE for Confirmation. For now: I’ve set a rule that they’re not allowed to attend ANY church function outside of a RCC church without our permission.

Your thoughts and opinions please? I’d like more (name removed by moderator)ut before discussing this with dad. Thank you.

Sounds like you are handling it well. I was part of an evangelical youth group, and although never anti catholic officially it was clearly understood that Catholics need to be evangelized out of the Church. The purpose of these youth groups is as follows:

1. Evangelize everyone outside the denomination/church to come into the denomination and become Christians while teaching those in already more.
2. Provide a safe and fun environment for kids.

I would just urge extreme caution. As the previous poster mentioned they will be exposed to many falsities about Christianity, such as:

No need for confession, and if anyone commits a sin they just quietly pray to God for forgiveness.
No need for Baptism, just a good thing to do to show your a Christian (if your kids were baptized as infants they may be told they should be re baptized)
Denial of the Real Presence.
Emphasis on reading the Bible alone and interpreting it yourself.
No need for doing penance/acts of piety/
Assurance of salvation by saying sinners prayer. There will likely be altar calls and opportunies to “recommit your life to Christ”
Worship that is geared toward a personal emotional response (up beat rock praise music) that makes the Mass look and potentially feel “less fun” .

I personally would not want my kids exposed to any of these which are found in varying degrees in Protestant churches. The “easy Peasy” Christianity presented will likely cause your kids to doubt the sacraments, necessity for charity, necessity in cooperating with God, etc…

So, consider discussing these things with your kids, maybe meet with the youth pastor to see where they stand/what they do, and get them involved in the Catholic Church in a youth program that’s more than just confirmation class if available.

 

[theyoungmonk]

I agree with the warnings above though I would add the warning, which I am sure you re already aware of, that if something is just forbidden it just becomes more attractive. So you will need to find a way of keeping them away from the group without making them want to rebel and find a way to get involved with the protestants anyway.

 

[Jon_S_1]

I agree with the warnings above though I would add the warning, which I am sure you re already aware of, that if something is just forbidden it just becomes more attractive. So you will need to find a way of keeping them away from the group without making them want to rebel and find a way to get involved with the protestants anyway.

Very good point! I will also add these youth groups and other “outreach” programs are often very fun and open. They are the hook they use to get you in and then you slowly get realed in all the way.

 

[Ral91]

Hello, I’m new here, and I was wondering about the opinions of Catholic parents allowing their teens to attend Non-Catholic, non-denominational Youth Groups? /]
.

As a Protestant I attended a Non -Denominational youth group. It may be helpful for you to know that if it is truly non denominational there would be no trying to ‘convert’ anyone. For example I was raised Presbyterian but attended a group with Catholics, Baptists, Church of England etc etc. It was more of a place to socialise with a prayer and sometimes a song. As teenagers we would discuss common issues such as how to interact with the opposite sex without committing sin. Before you rule out the possibility of them attending why don’t you ask to speak to those running the youth group? They would be able to tell you the set up and how it is run. They would also be able to tell you if any other Catholic teens attend.

 

[Marysann]

I am sure that the reason that this problem has come up is that the local Catholic parish does not have activities that can compete with the ones offered by the local non-denom church. The solution is to establish activities at the Catholic parish that the kids want to go to. This is not easy, but it is only real answer to this problem. Our parish at home is located near a very large non-denom church, and parents complained that their teens wanted to go to that church’s youth activities because they were fun. Our parish hired a young man with experience in youth activities, and he has put together a program that now attracts the protestant kids! He is able to mix fun with solid Catholic teaching with series of intriguing programs such as the “7 Deadly Sins.” There are plenty of field trips and other fun activities. Most of us don’t know how to reach kids today so it is important to seek out the assistance people who do. The parents need to approach the pastor, and volunteer to do what they can to make sure the parish has the best program possible for the high school aged kids. If they don’t these kids may be lost to the non-denoms.

 

[1ke]

Hello, I’m new here, and I was wondering about the opinions of Catholic parents allowing their teens to attend Non-Catholic, non-denominational Youth Groups?

If they were my kids, the answer would be “no way, no how”.

I live in a small town. The only two churches in the school district are ours and a Methodist church. And the Methodist church is next door to the school. Several of our kids go to their youth activities, and it has bred indifference. I can see that they can easily adopt the attitude that you can go to any church and it doesn’t matter.

So, no.