My son Tom is almost 18. For thr past 14 years my wife has dragged him kicking and screamimg to Church and Sunday School. He's never been interested in religion while my wife is a Catholic convert and I am a recovering Catholic convert.
I vowed never to set foot in another Catholic Church especially after all the hypocrisy of the Boston Archdoicese a few years ago. My wife wasn't happy about that needless to say. Well two years ago my son refused to get confirmed becasue he didn't beleive in God and though the Catholic Church was a joke. None of his friends go to Church and were constantly poking fun at him because of it.
I decided that if he didn't want to be confirmed that was his decision not his mother's. I actaully discussed it with the parish priest and he agreed with me. Tom did not get confirmed. Almost led to divorce court, my wife was not happy but I backed up my son and went against her wishes.
Tom will be 18 in a few months and he's informed me that he will never set foot inside another church as long as he lives. HE thinks the Church is a joke and that his mother belongs in the looney bin for buying the whole "God" thing. He's had religion forced down his throat and now he's rebelling all out.
This all came to a head last night and found it's way into my lap. Both of them are expecting me to side with their position. I support my son's right to walk away, as I did, but I know my wife will freak out.. again.
I have no love of the Catholic Church , but I beleive in God etc. I knew this day was coming and now it's finally here. Can anyone offer any advice on how to tip toe through this minefield? I don't think taht we shoul dforce him to attend something he doesn't beleive in and constantly is poking fun at. I'd rather him pull away and end the venom in hope that he'll find some spiritual balance later on rather than force him to go and continue with the arguing and conflict every Sunday.
I vowed never to set foot in another Catholic Church especially after all the hypocrisy of the Boston Archdoicese a few years ago. My wife wasn't happy about that needless to say. Well two years ago my son refused to get confirmed becasue he didn't beleive in God and though the Catholic Church was a joke. None of his friends go to Church and were constantly poking fun at him because of it.
I decided that if he didn't want to be confirmed that was his decision not his mother's. I actaully discussed it with the parish priest and he agreed with me. Tom did not get confirmed. Almost led to divorce court, my wife was not happy but I backed up my son and went against her wishes.
Tom will be 18 in a few months and he's informed me that he will never set foot inside another church as long as he lives. HE thinks the Church is a joke and that his mother belongs in the looney bin for buying the whole "God" thing. He's had religion forced down his throat and now he's rebelling all out.
This all came to a head last night and found it's way into my lap. Both of them are expecting me to side with their position. I support my son's right to walk away, as I did, but I know my wife will freak out.. again.
I have no love of the Catholic Church , but I beleive in God etc. I knew this day was coming and now it's finally here. Can anyone offer any advice on how to tip toe through this minefield? I don't think taht we shoul dforce him to attend something he doesn't beleive in and constantly is poking fun at. I'd rather him pull away and end the venom in hope that he'll find some spiritual balance later on rather than force him to go and continue with the arguing and conflict every Sunday.