What to do when a loved one tells you that they have no faith

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Rebecca

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I have a relative who was raised Catholic but has recently been telling me that they are more interested in the Gnostic writings than the Gospels. And about his recent “discoveries” about religion and the like. The issue is that I myself know what he is going through and dabbled in some of the stuff he tells me about. I do not know how to react or how to respond.
 
Pray first to the holy spirit. Then if you feel led to speak, then speak.

Sometimes, you must just pray for the person. Listen to the HS when you are interacting with this person. The words you need to say will not be your own if you are following His lead.
 
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tell them good luck; the agnostic journey is liking driving a thirsty mule through a desert

no nourishment, no water, no nothing

the “loved one” will be back to Mother Church if he/she has one ounce of common sense…
 
I’ll bring him to a priest. Pray for him also.

I used to have a sudden lack of faith and I told my family about it. But they thought I was talking rubbish… it was really sad. I had to pray Super hard and tried to contact our family priest but to no avail cos he was overseas 😦 :confused: anyway, it’s good to bring this issue up with a priest.
 
I agree with praying for them. It’s probably best to give them some space rather than argue with them.
 
I’m in a similar situation. I tried discussing the Faith but was accused of “preaching.” My efforts seemed to make matters worse. I’ve now decided to pray leave it to God’s grace. I can’t do anything without God’s help.
 
I think a lot of “mm-hmm” type responses, along with the occasional, “Well, the Church teaches differently, and I don’t think what you’re saying is correct, so we’ll have to agree to disagree” is the best strategy here. I can imagine this is frustrating for you, but you’re not going to be able to persuade them back to the Faith if they’re on some big “discovery” kick. Just pray for them, keep openly practicing your own faith in front of them, and leave it alone otherwise.
 
Hello.

Just wondering if this relative is a young person or not.

Will they still go to Mass with you? to Confession? Can you bring this person with you to Confession?

Do they have a Rosary? Can you give this person the gift of a blessed Rosary and, will they accept it?

I’d suggest strongly bringing them to Confession if you could get them to go. and to pray, and to pray some more. Got any holy water?

That may help.

Praying for them is a great idea.

I’m very sorry this is happening in your family.
 
Tis_Bearself said:
Just pray for them, keep openly practicing your own faith in front of them, and leave it alone otherwise.
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I’m trying to be like St Francis who preached the Gospel in his actions. Like Fulton Sheen said, the only argument people will accept nowadays is holiness. Arguments seem to get me nowhere so I’m embracing a new method. Where I failed, God will succeed.
 
It is my older brother, We do not live together but we do communicate often. That being said he doesn’t “hate” the Church like other wayward Catholics and will probably have no problem going to church with his little sister.

Part of my issue when we talk is that I am younger than he is. The other day he was talking about certain things such as the great flood and other “historical inaccuracies” in the book of Genisis. This drives me crazy because when I was in high school I was on the brink of leaving the Church for the same reasons but was able to work it out. I often feel that he and his friends don’t take me seriously because I am younger than they all are and think that I am making my story up just to spite.
 
My mom is declared atheist and the best I managed to do is not get into arguments with her as often as she tried and pray in private. Just pray and remember when Jesus healed the paraleptic man brought by 4 of his friends He told them “for your faith he has been healed.”" So our faith counts for others who don’t have that much or any as long as we love them and pray for them.
Plus you don’t know what will happen in the future.
 
I think it’s fine to point out their error. mistake etc. in one or two sentences.
But don’t get drawn into an argument unless it’s someone very close to you who you argue with because you both sort of enjoy arguing 🙂
 
It’s difficult to deal with an older sibling. Some of them have this “parent” complex. No matter how old I get my older sisters still treat me like the baby of the family. Prayer is never out of place.
 
If you have worked through things, maybe guide him.
But our relatives are the hardest to convince!
 
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