Teenage Converts

[lumenjesuchrist]

Hi! My friend’s family is some sort of evangelical protestant. I go to their house all the time, and almost always engage in some religious discussion. I have taken the hardcore Baltimore Catechism classes since I was 5, and have taken Apologetics classes for 3 or 4 years now. In my continued defense of the truth at school and at his house, my friend has come to realize the truth in Catholicism. He wants to be a Catholic. He’s 15. There’s a problem because his parents, who provide for him and have raised him, will probably not take it very well. I am just at a loss of what to do. He wants to know what he should do, and when. I would love some advice, and especially some prayers for him and his family! Thanks and God bless!

 

[thomc1980]

I will pray for you and your friend. At his age though he’ll need his parents to ok this if im not mistaken. So push comes to shove he may have to wait a while.

 

[snarflemike]

Good job! I’m not sure you’re in a position to do anything at this point. If your friend brings this up to his parents, they’ll either be OK with it or (probably) not. If not your friend will probably have to wait until he’s 18. That’s not a bad thing, as he will have time for further study of the Catholic faith. The stronger he is in his conviction and understanding, the easier it will be for him to weather the storm that may come his way. Better a successful move into the Catholic Church at 18 than a failed move now.

 

[Pilosopo]

If my son questioned his faith and decided to convert (from Catholicism), I’d have mixed feelings. I’d admire him for the fact that he can be critical about his faith. I’d be hurt, that I probably did a poor job as a father as far as teaching the faith goes.
The next question is whether he’s joining with a sound mind, or joining with an unsound mind (as would likely be the case if he were joining a cult). If the latter, that’s where things get a lot more intense.
Chances are, his parents and many others will not see your friend joining a cult.
And a prayer for you, and all those worries.

 

[Angela77]

I’ll be praying for him.

By the way, how did you help facilitate his coming to Catholicism. I have a teenage friend who is agnostic (so a different situation than what your friend came from), and we talk religion a lot. Any advice? She’s pretty hard to convince!

 

[zz912]

He should have a CALM and rational discussion with his parents about his feelings and convictions and his wishes. Usually it is good to go to another location, maybe a quiet coffee shop or somewhere where they can talk.

He can lay out his reasoning and why he wants to investigate the Catholic faith further. He can let them know he wants to start attending RCIA and Mass. But also have him tell them he will obey their decision if they forbid him, although he would be disappointed and disagree with their decision.

If they say ok, then great! If they say no, then tell him to study even more, obey his parents, and wait until he is of age. He can always ask again. They may soften and allow it if he shows determination and that he is firm in his resolve.

If they go overboard, or react badly/emotionally, then I would suggest that he respond this way. I didn’t mean to upset you. I know this is a very important topic. I would like to discuss this with you calmly and rationally. I love you both very much. Would it be better if we discussed this at a later time when we have cooled down some?

God bless, and God bless your friend.

 

[Goya]

First, excellent work! That is awesome that you are so well versed in your Faith!

Second, tread lightly. Your friend must work with and through his parents, before anything (as mentioned above).

Third, by way of warning–do not expect to be welcome in his house, after he discusses this with his parents. I could be mistaken here (certainly hope I am…), but that’s probably the least of the blowback you can expect.

By way of e.g.–when I was a senior in HS, I was accepted to the big state U. Our arch rival, was the other (second) big state U. (Without disclosing my location, think Aalabama Auburn, Texas Texas A&M, UF-FSU, USC UCLA…). I had a friend who was a booster of ‘the other’ big state U. I would pick him up often to go out and…do things–the kind of things kids do in HS–they’d welcome me in their house, and treat me like family. When his parents learned that I was going to U. of X [X =big state]–they did not take it well. One day i showed up to pick my friend up, and he met me in the driveway–and told me ‘sorry, but your no longer welcome in this house, since you’re going to U of X–per my parents’.

…and he proceeded to hop in my car, and off we went…

I asked him if he was serious, and he chuckled, and said “…as a heartattack”. And reitierated a few more times…

To this day, I have never seen them again (friend yes; his parents, no). And to this day, I find their behavior to be embarrasingly, pathetically, immature, but…

…I guess that’s life.

…and as serious as we take CFB around these parts…matters of Faith are taken signifcantly more so.

I certainly hope your experience with your friend’s parents goes better than my experience with my friend’s parents…but I share this with you simply as a matter of precedent by analogy–so that you won’t be shocked, if you find yourself ostracized from their house.

FWIW: it’s well worth the loss. Stay true to Truth, and to yourself–and keep your faith in God. He will take care of the rest.

God bless you, kid. (And your friend).