Please help!

[Tandia128]

My little brother is almost 16 and is supposed to be getting confirmed this spring. I’m his sponsor, and even though I’m away at college I’ve been coming home pretty often to go to retreats and meetings for his confirmation process. The problem is, he told my parents about a week ago that he’s an atheist. Now they’re both sick with worry. To be honest, I’m not as worried about his being atheist (I honestly believe it’s just a phase because he’s so young and he’s questioning everything around him) as I am worried about the impact this is having on my family.

My parents asked me to talk to him, and I think that since I’m his sponsor and we’re close that I should be the one to talk to him about this. The problem is, I don’t know what to say to him. He has a really scientific mind and he’s slow to believe in anything he can’t see physical proof of. So how can I explain to him that faith is the exact opposite of that? I don’t want to alienate him by pushing this issue, but I can’t just let it go.

If anybody has experienced something similar and can help, I would appreciate it so, so SO much.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Does your brother want to be confirmed or is he telling your parents he doesn’t? Get that straight with him. At his age, he shouldn’t be confirmed unless he believes in the church and in this sacrament. Perhaps the sacrament should be delayed for a year… And it might be good for him to talk about this to adults in the confirmation prep program and his pastor.

It would probably be most effective if you could share with him your personal experiences in following Jesus and in experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Has he been a faithful Catholic up to now? Did this atheism suddenly come on? Is his problem really intellectual or is it a result of sin in his life or that he doesn’t want to commit to the faith at this time?

I hope some wise people on the forum give you better suggestions than mine.

Above all, pray for him and love him. It sounds like you do. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the right words. God bless you for your concern.

 

[daisy14]

Hi Tandia128,

I noticed you said this…

He has a really scientific mind and he’s slow to believe in anything he can’t see physical proof of. So how can I explain to him that faith is the exact opposite of that?

Sure faith has a lot to do with trusting without being able to understand. However, I think you can discuss God without having to leave his “scientific physical” mind set. Look at the world around us. There is plenty proof around. I read this book… it escapes me right now what the name of it is… but it helps proves God’s existance with science. I’ve heard many times the science has actually brought people to believe in God. I like to look at animals specifically… the are parts of their body that couldn’t have just happened there was a reason for this and things don’t just happen.

Another thing with science… that how can the truth be not for the truth… does that make sense? So wouldn’t that mean if you continue to look at things that are truthful they will lead to truth.

I just suggest talking to him. I think he’ll appreciate it in the long run. Just talk with him not at him.

This might not help completely… I just love science… but I love GOD above all and they don’t butt head…certain concepts do… but thats ethics.

Best of luck… my prayers are with you

 

[geekborj]

Does your brother want to be confirmed or is he telling your parents he doesn’t? Get that straight with him. At his age, he shouldn’t be confirmed unless he believes in the church and in this sacrament. Perhaps the sacrament should be delayed for a year… And it might be good for him to talk about this to adults in the confirmation prep program and his pastor.

It would probably be most effective if you could share with him your personal experiences in following Jesus and in experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Has he been a faithful Catholic up to now? Did this atheism suddenly come on? Is his problem really intellectual or is it a result of sin in his life or that he doesn’t want to commit to the faith at this time?

I hope some wise people on the forum give you better suggestions than mine.

Above all, pray for him and love him. It sounds like you do. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the right words. God bless you for your concern.

I agree. It will be dependent on his will to be confirmed. I was baptized and confirmed in the catholic Faith but not yet fully converted in the heart. But now, i am fully converted with all my will and heart! The sacrament will infuse in him more zeal and interest in the faith and even with the scientific mind. The science is not incompatible with the Faith.

Before the confirmation you may ask him to read the Catechism (or the Compendium) and have him point out which of them are not clear with him. Also, you may ask him to read: Aquinas vs. Intelligent Design and Fides et Ratio.

God bless. May the angels and saints pray for us. Hail Mary.