Supporting DS in his religious journey

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks that's a good idea about asking a friend if he can join. Didn't want to risk offending them (by making it obvious we don't believe). DS has actually spent a lot of time looking into it and talking with one of his friends (who doesn't live in the area) about various religions. I don't want to discourage him despite my own opinions and do like his natural curiosities. He's always been like that, when my dad died when he was 7, he had this remarkable view on what happens after someone dies based off on what he'd learned about through all the various mythologies he'd always been interested in.

I have heard Methodist is much more accepting and welcoming. I do tend to overthink and the church I attended growing up was NOT the most welcoming, so I'm sure that's part of what is driving my thoughts.

I am a different religion but OP I would not be offended if someone's kid (who I knew well) wanted to attend services with us. Would be happy to try it and see how it shakes out over time.

to OP -- I'd be careful about anyone you sent your kid to church with. Be sure that they won't proselytize to him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would recommend not trying to put him in any organized religious setting. Task him with reading websites that debunk the myths of any religion.

Your son is on the verge of his teenage years, when he will beging to feel more pressure from peers. A formal church setting will end up with him being brainwashed like many of the rest of the moronic masses.

Or, he may feel appreciative of some moral frameworks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would recommend not trying to put him in any organized religious setting. Task him with reading websites that debunk the myths of any religion.

Your son is on the verge of his teenage years, when he will beging to feel more pressure from peers. A formal church setting will end up with him being brainwashed like many of the rest of the moronic masses.

Or, he may feel appreciative of some moral frameworks?

Shame on you for assuming that he is not already receiving "moral frameworks" from his parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would recommend not trying to put him in any organized religious setting. Task him with reading websites that debunk the myths of any religion.

Your son is on the verge of his teenage years, when he will beging to feel more pressure from peers. A formal church setting will end up with him being brainwashed like many of the rest of the moronic masses.

Or, he may feel appreciative of some moral frameworks?

Shame on you for assuming that he is not already receiving "moral frameworks" from his parents.

Agreed. Also, that poster assumes only religion can provide a moral framework. They exist outside of religious settings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The usual joke is that Methodists are strong on eating (fond of church suppers) and are not rigid about doctrine. Historically, the Methodist church in the USA was somewhat an offshoot of the Church of England. Methodism was founded by John and Charles Wesley, who were CoE priests in England.

The somewhat makes this incorrect. It was literally an offshoot, brought about by the logistical problems CoE priests had in ordaining new American priests during the Revolution. The liturgies in the UM hymnal remain almost word for word from the BCP.

- former Methodist, now Anglican

[Anonymous]

OP, just be aware there are multiple Methodist denominations in the US. I assume your son is interested in the United Methodist Church (which I joined in my 40s after leaving the Catholic Church as a teen, so please feel free to ask me anything), but there are also the Global Methodists. The UMC voted last year to be a fully inclusive and affirming church. Individual church vary as far as traditional worship vs contemporary, and if they will allow same sex marriage to take place in their sanctuary.

The Globals Methodists are very conservative and split from the UMC because they wanted to continue to prohibit ordaining LGBTQ+ clergy, among other things.

Then there are the historical black African Methodist Episcopal church and AME Zion church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would recommend not trying to put him in any organized religious setting. Task him with reading websites that debunk the myths of any religion.

Your son is on the verge of his teenage years, when he will beging to feel more pressure from peers. A formal church setting will end up with him being brainwashed like many of the rest of the moronic masses.

And get him a few books on critical thinking.
Also have him read the website “why god won’t heal amputees”

Love that website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just take him to a service. It’s fine, no big deal. He’s curious. I wouldn’t make any more of it than that at this point.

My family is Presbyterian and Methodist. I was married in a Methodist church. I don't currently attend church.

I've celebrated holidays as a guest at a variety of Methodist churches. Usually it's easy to drop in and be pretty unobtrusive.

I think you should go with him. As a Catholic, you should probably have a pretty easy time assisting your son to follow along with the service. It's usually all outlined in a bulletin/program.

There's often a time for visitors to stand and be welcomed and a pad in the pew to sign in. But nobody wants you to feel uncomfortable. So don't do those things if they make you uncomfortable.

Bring some money to donate. It's polite. A lot of churches are under financial pressure and can use help.

If anyone asks too many questions, just mutter platitudes like "We were in need of hearing the Good News this week" and similar until they quit.

Methodist are a pretty safe denomination to start with.

One thing I would say...if your son is going to keep going with this, both of you should like and approve of the church's youth group. Because that's where you'll find the truly religious teens And probably, also some emotionally needy kids who might be a bit much. I found that the church adults involved in teen activities varied a lot in bearability. My favorite was a classmate's mom who was a bit of a conspiracy theorist. She did an interesting Sunday school class on the Book of Revelations. It was kind of like a literature class with a wacky dystopian angle. Good times!

[Anonymous]

In addition to church services, connect him with the youth group at the church. Methodists are very welcoming. No need to join, etc— just show up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just take him to a service. It’s fine, no big deal. He’s curious. I wouldn’t make any more of it than that at this point.

My family is Presbyterian and Methodist. I was married in a Methodist church. I don't currently attend church.

I've celebrated holidays as a guest at a variety of Methodist churches. Usually it's easy to drop in and be pretty unobtrusive.

I think you should go with him. As a Catholic, you should probably have a pretty easy time assisting your son to follow along with the service. It's usually all outlined in a bulletin/program.

There's often a time for visitors to stand and be welcomed and a pad in the pew to sign in. But nobody wants you to feel uncomfortable. So don't do those things if they make you uncomfortable.

Bring some money to donate. It's polite. A lot of churches are under financial pressure and can use help.

If anyone asks too many questions, just mutter platitudes like "We were in need of hearing the Good News this week" and similar until they quit.

Methodist are a pretty safe denomination to start with.

One thing I would say...if your son is going to keep going with this, both of you should like and approve of the church's youth group. Because that's where you'll find the truly religious teens And probably, also some emotionally needy kids who might be a bit much. I found that the church adults involved in teen activities varied a lot in bearability. My favorite was a classmate's mom who was a bit of a conspiracy theorist. She did an interesting Sunday school class on the Book of Revelations. It was kind of like a literature class with a wacky dystopian angle. Good times!

All good advice, IMO, except for this response "We were in need of hearing the Good News this week" . Instead, I'd say something less provocative, less religious and more straightforward, like "my son is in the process of looking at churches."