Update: 5th grade boy has converted to Islam. WWYD?

[Anonymous]

I posted about this a week ago. My 5th grade DS, from a catholic family was thinking of converting to Islam. I received a lot of great advice, but I'm still in need of help. Yesterday, he told me that he recited the Shahada. According to google, he is now officially Islam. I'm still not sure how to feel. Should I punish him? WWYD?

[Anonymous]

Of course you don’t punish him! You support this decision by finding a community of Muslims in a mosque where he feels he fits. They will teach him the basics and help him on his journey in faith.

[Anonymous]

Leave him alone.

If he's religious at an early age, maybe he will actually try to be a good person.

In a few months, it may be another new passion.

[Anonymous]

You say, "that's nice, dear" and continue on with your life. He's in 5th grade - things will change.

[Anonymous]

Are you an idiot? Or just a freak troll?

You could have exposed him to the Islamic culture and religion in many ways thereby supporting his curiosity all while setting the boundary that changing from the family religion is a decision once he’s a little older - 12 or 13 perhaps?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You say, "that's nice, dear" and continue on with your life. He's in 5th grade - things will change.

+1 If he's sincere, you support him. If he's trolling for a reaction from his Catholic parents, you don't give him one. This has to be the easiest parenting question I've ever seen on here.

Under no circumstances do you punish someone for their religious beliefs, like WTF would that even look like?!

[Anonymous]

Weird troll.

98% this whole story is BS.

[Anonymous]

🧌

[Anonymous]

Is this a real question? Fifth graders try on new identities. That's the age.

The best advice is "that's nice dear, but we still expect you to attend mass with the family since that's our family plan." And then be neutral when he brings it up.

Neither recoil nor jump on it with support. It is likely a phase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:🧌

Interfaith respect and tolerance are scary to them. Let's keep at it!

[Anonymous]

Kewl story bro

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You say, "that's nice, dear" and continue on with your life. He's in 5th grade - things will change.

This. And if it really bothers you, consider moving him to a different school to get him away from his Muslim friend who helped convert him. This is an example of how much of an impact peers can have.

[Anonymous]

You may be surprised. And you didn’t see this coming. You may want to quietly educate yourself more about Islam. And be open to what he says, asks. I do think this is a tough one to know how to respond. I don’t see punishment as appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Troll astroturfing post.

[Anonymous]

It's fine. It's easy enough to convert. And like most religions, Islam has a whole spectrum of beliefs from conservative to progressive.