12 Year Old Brother Questions Faith

[Credo in Deum]

I might have a green scapular already. Knowing him, he'd try to get rid of it or destroy it. He'd find it even if I hid it under his pillow.

What he really has an issue with is why God allows suffering. It looks cruel to him because God is capable of preventing bad things from happening.

He's the biggest smart alec I know, especially with me. Annoying me is one of his hobbies. He defies me because he knows how it irritates me and infamous with arguing with people.

He knows what sex is, but isn't interested in that. He still thinks that girls are yucky. He's preoccupied with WWE, videogames, and superheroes.

Well the offer is always on the table. I would also recommend not watching the TV show Modern Family. Try to get your father or mother to turn it off.

[4588686]

Well the offer is always on the table. I would also recommend not watching the TV show Modern Family. Try to get your father or mother to turn it off.

 

 

That's some gold old timey indoctrination.  

[Credo in Deum]

That's some gold old timey indoctrination.  

 

Thanks.  It's part of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" collection.   

Edited July 7, 2014 by Credo in Deum

[PhuturePriest]

That's some gold old timey indoctrination.  

 

Is it indoctrination to make sure your child doesn't watch pornography?

[Winchester]

He doesn't believe in the Big Bang Theory as to how the world came to exist though. He says that 2 cells creating the universe is hard to believe.
 

What?

[John Ryan]

That's some gold old timey indoctrination.  

 

Is it indoctrination to make sure your child doesn't watch pornography?

 

I am fine with parents not letting their children watch certain things. However, my parents were virulently anti-gay when I was growing up and I have to say it did not stop me in the slightest from being pro-gay. Sometimes the opposite effect is true. If the parents specifically try to block out homosexuality from the kid's purview, the kid might very well entrench himself and become even more pro-LGBT.

[Sister Marie]

Just a short commercial from someone who teaches this age group... 

 

1. It's normal for them to try to push your buttons.

2.  It's normal (and wonderful under the right circumstances) for them to start questioning their faith.

 

I don't know your brother but the majority of 12 year olds I know (which is a lot since I teach them) would be thrilled to know that they became the topic of an internet thread because they upset their sisters.  One of the most important things you can do for him right now is affirm the fact that he is searching for truth (even though he is also enjoying bothering you while doing it!), answer him super honestly (You said you felt uncomfortable, why?  12 year olds also like to make other people uncomfortable so if he can sense that he'll keep pushing your buttons), and don't show that it upsets you (he's trying to find his own identity right now and one of the ways 12 year olds do that is by trying to be the opposite of what others want them to be).  Also, know when its time to quit... when the conversation is obviously just about him bothering you, end it.  

 

I didn't know how to take a few of the comments you wrote about the Big Bang and Adam and Eve but those are great discussions to have with him at this age.  Science and faith go hand in hand (I teach science and religion! YAY!) and pointing out the human condition and the vastness of God's creation and the complex way God brought it about, when explained correctly, can be a great source of faith.  Also great is the answer "I don't know."  There are lots of things about the world that we don't know all the details about yet because science just hasn't gotten there even though we know that God is its source.  It's okay to have a theory instead of a fact.

 

Most likely, he isn't actually losing his faith over this.  It's more a mixture of the joy of bothering you, trying to get a reaction, and a genuine question.  Focus on the genuine question and be honest.    

[beatitude]

I might have a green scapular already. Knowing him, he'd try to get rid of it or destroy it. He'd find it even if I hid it under his pillow.

What he really has an issue with is why God allows suffering. It looks cruel to him because God is capable of preventing bad things from happening.

He's the biggest smart alec I know, especially with me. Annoying me is one of his hobbies. He defies me because he knows how it irritates me and infamous with arguing with people.

He knows what sex is, but isn't interested in that. He still thinks that girls are yucky. He's preoccupied with WWE, videogames, and superheroes.

 

I agree with most of what Sister Marie says. Questions are good - the disciples had many of them (and also their own doubts). You shouldn't try to provide your brother with cookie-cutter answers, especially on topics like suffering. None of us have them and children are quick to see when they're being fobbed off. You will do him more good by showing that you respect his questions and take them seriously. Don't be afraid to say that you don't know something.

 

It may be that he is trying to push your buttons a bit, as Sister Marie says, but from the sound of his thoughts on suffering I think that he is sincerely trying to puzzle this stuff out. I would pray for him and try to be there for him if he wants to talk about faith, but leave it at that for now.