Confirmation?

[Anonymous]

I don't know that anyone can help with this question, I'd just like to get some opinions I guess. I wasn't raised with religion although became a Catholic as an adult and now attend a Methodist church. My husband was made to go to church and Sunday school growing up and now wants nothing to do with religion. I've tried to find a middle ground with our kids, taking them about once a month and involving them in church activities occasionally.

They're now at the age for confirmation and it's a larger commitment than I previously knew. About 4 hours each Sunday all school year. They don't want to do it and my husband just stays quiet about it but he's certainly not going to talk them into it. I'm also not happy with the recent decisions about LGBTQ issues in the United Methodist Church so am confused about that too.

I don't know whether to make them go through the year-long confirmation process or just give up on it. Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

What’s the point? Just give up and find a better religion.

[Anonymous]

Well Confirmation is generally about an individual taking ownership of their faith and committing to formation at a new level. Do your kids want to do it? If not, then that’s a sure sign they aren’t interested in what the meaning really is and should skip it. They can be confirmed as adults if they so choose.

[Anonymous]

Confirmation is common among the Lutheran at age 15.
Once you have completed the classes you can take part in communion and get married in church, be a godparent

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I am in the same boat as you OP. I am Catholic. I am currently attending a Methodist church as well. My oldest is supposed to go through the confirmation process this year. However, truth be told I am finding out that it makes no difference which denomination you choose. Church has become an unnecessary chore in my house. The demands are too much considering that we do have a life outside of church.

If your children do not want to get confirmed, then I will not make them. It is a big commitment and a time consuming task. Give it up! Spend time doing things which make your entire family happy outside of church.

The one thing about church is that they either want your time or dime. Or in the case of most religious institutions they want both. Confirmation requires sacrifices that your family do not want to endure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I am in the same boat as you OP. I am Catholic. I am currently attending a Methodist church as well. My oldest is supposed to go through the confirmation process this year. However, truth be told I am finding out that it makes no difference which denomination you choose. Church has become an unnecessary chore in my house. The demands are too much considering that we do have a life outside of church.

If your children do not want to get confirmed, then I will not make them. It is a big commitment and a time consuming task. Give it up! Spend time doing things which make your entire family happy outside of church.

The one thing about church is that they either want your time or dime. Or in the case of most religious institutions they want both. Confirmation requires sacrifices that your family do not want to endure.

Even if, unlike pp, you feel warmly about religion, there's no reason to participate in rituals that don't appeal to you, unless you fear divine retribution. And it sounds like neither you nor your kids do.

[Anonymous]

What has happened to the Catholic Church in the USA that this level of commitment is mown required? Decades ago, I remember we were all just marched in and confirmed by the Bishop one Sunday. It was no big deal. Today it seems that the lunatic Catholics are the only ones left in this country, and they certainly have taken control of the asylum. Even the Pope is disillusioned with them. I don’t blame your kids for wanting no part of this embarrassment. They can still consider themselves Catholics and take Communion if they want. And don’t let anyone tell them otherwise, certainly not one of our corrupt priests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What has happened to the Catholic Church in the USA that this level of commitment is mown required? Decades ago, I remember we were all just marched in and confirmed by the Bishop one Sunday. It was no big deal. Today it seems that the lunatic Catholics are the only ones left in this country, and they certainly have taken control of the asylum. Even the Pope is disillusioned with them. I don’t blame your kids for wanting no part of this embarrassment. They can still consider themselves Catholics and take Communion if they want. And don’t let anyone tell them otherwise, certainly not one of our corrupt priests.

The OP said she had abandoned the Catholic faith and that she and her family were largely non-practicing Protestants. Hence no need for your Catholic-bashing or anti-clerical defamations.

Once upon a time, the majority of Confirmation preparation was conducted as part of Catechism classes, whether in Catholic school or on weekends for public school kids. Nowadays, there are Directors of Religious Education," who have to invent requirements to justify their paychecks.

Technically, one becomes a Catholic by Baptism into the Faith and remains so regardless of any future action, regardless whether one "considers" themselves Catholic or not. The Sacramental disciple of the Church dates to Apostolic times and a person violates it at their peril.

Finally, Catholics "receive" communion, they do not "take" it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What has happened to the Catholic Church in the USA that this level of commitment is mown required? Decades ago, I remember we were all just marched in and confirmed by the Bishop one Sunday. It was no big deal. Today it seems that the lunatic Catholics are the only ones left in this country, and they certainly have taken control of the asylum. Even the Pope is disillusioned with them. I don’t blame your kids for wanting no part of this embarrassment. They can still consider themselves Catholics and take Communion if they want. And don’t let anyone tell them otherwise, certainly not one of our corrupt priests.

I believe that OP was talking about confirmation in the Methodist church, but I doubt that the Catholics are less demanding.

I also remember Catholic confirmation decades ago and it involved a lot of preparation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What has happened to the Catholic Church in the USA that this level of commitment is mown required? Decades ago, I remember we were all just marched in and confirmed by the Bishop one Sunday. It was no big deal. Today it seems that the lunatic Catholics are the only ones left in this country, and they certainly have taken control of the asylum. Even the Pope is disillusioned with them. I don’t blame your kids for wanting no part of this embarrassment. They can still consider themselves Catholics and take Communion if they want. And don’t let anyone tell them otherwise, certainly not one of our corrupt priests.

The OP said she had abandoned the Catholic faith and that she and her family were largely non-practicing Protestants. Hence no need for your Catholic-bashing or anti-clerical defamations.

Once upon a time, the majority of Confirmation preparation was conducted as part of Catechism classes, whether in Catholic school or on weekends for public school kids. Nowadays, there are Directors of Religious Education," who have to invent requirements to justify their paychecks.

Technically, one becomes a Catholic by Baptism into the Faith and remains so regardless of any future action, regardless whether one "considers" themselves Catholic or not. The Sacramental disciple of the Church dates to Apostolic times and a person violates it at their peril.

Finally, Catholics "receive" communion, they do not "take" it.

Oh boy, you’re one of the people I’m talking about. And I’m a Catholic myself and not bashing the Church as an institution. What I take issue with is the individual weirdos who predominate in this country, seeking to assert their will on other members while denying the deep problems that exist in the American Church. And on those points, the Pope and I are in full agreement!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What has happened to the Catholic Church in the USA that this level of commitment is mown required? Decades ago, I remember we were all just marched in and confirmed by the Bishop one Sunday. It was no big deal. Today it seems that the lunatic Catholics are the only ones left in this country, and they certainly have taken control of the asylum. Even the Pope is disillusioned with them. I don’t blame your kids for wanting no part of this embarrassment. They can still consider themselves Catholics and take Communion if they want. And don’t let anyone tell them otherwise, certainly not one of our corrupt priests.

Not sure where you grew up or were confirmed, but that definitely wasn't my experience in the 80s. You had to be in CCD the year before and the year of confirmation (so class once a week), plus a retreat, plus a big project, plus a written test and interview with the parish pastor.

Confirmation is just that - you are confirming that YOU (the person, not the parents or anyone else) are committed to living this life. It's OK to push it off.
I went to a Catholic college and was jealous of the students who were confirmed while there. Their experience was much more meaningful and faith-filled than my memorization/class going/test passing was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well Confirmation is generally about an individual taking ownership of their faith and committing to formation at a new level. Do your kids want to do it? If not, then that’s a sure sign they aren’t interested in what the meaning really is and should skip it. They can be confirmed as adults if they so choose.

I'm Catholic but this is how I explain it to my child. Kids of the Jewish faith prepare for years for their bat mitzvahs, according to Jewish friends.

It is a huge commitment, but so is travel soccer. The question is whether practicing their faith is a priority for them and for your family.