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Originally Posted by buzz2 I found this site purely by mistake but, ironicly I was having this discussion with my 15 year old son the other evening. Let's get one thing clear first right off the bat. I am NOT either an agnostic nor atheist. I am a CHRISTIAN. But my son I believe, is. Judging by his statements to me. I am just trying to gain some insight into his thought process and how he's come to BELIEVE the way he does... or doesn't. I'm not here to judge anyone. I leave that up to GOD when the time comes. And it will. Thank you for your patience and tolerance... hopefully. | Welcome Buzz,
How do you know your son is questioning God? He may just be questioning religion which is what a lot of people are doing nowadays. There is a big difference between religion and God. There are alot of things in fundamental christian interpretation that dont make sense, let me give you some examples:
1) Why would God send a buddhist woman with a heart of gold to hell just because she happens to not have christian beliefs?
2) Why are you condemned to hell if you have sex outside of marriage or if you are gay or if you drink more than 2 glasses of wine?
3) Why is God a vengeful, wrathful being?
4) Why would God create a being he cannot control? (the devil)
These are but one of many fundamental christian religious "rules" that dont make sense and your son is quite healthy to question them. He is not the first or the last. I used to be a christian in the traditional (not fundamental) sense but questioned a lot of stuff that didnt make sense that led me to my current beliefs. I do believe in God and an afterlife but not in the devil or hell or original sin. I also believe that Christ existed and he had some lessons for mankind but not necessarily the ones that christian religions propagate. I believe I was led to my current beliefs by God. My current beliefs I just stated are based on reputable near death experience research. These are people who died, went to heaven and were later resusitated and came back to earth to tell similar tales. I later read the "conversation's with god" series of books which augmented and cemented my new beliefs. I do believe your story of God intervening in preventing you from crashing your vehicle. I disagree with your biblically based religious beliefs about the nature of God and the world and Im sure your son does as well.
Ive got some news for you. No one religion "owns" God, not even fundamental christianity. God is love and love is not bound by anyone earthly religion or any set of rules. I do not wish to knock fundamental christianity and I am sure it works for some people which is good but it wont work for everyone. Your best bet with your son is to downplay the religious beliefs I mentioned above and focus on "God is love" and the spiritual aspects and to have him seek out his own answers. I also recommend the book I mentioned above as well. I hope this helps... |
Read my last post. This will dispell any questions you may have about my beliefs. I do agree, GOD is love. But, the ONLY way to GOD is through JESUS CHRIST. Not by your "good deeds". If you don't acknowledge JESUS as your savior, you cannot get to Heaven. It is written.
Also, read the 10 Commandments. Adultry is a sin. Gay sex is a sin. Man should not lie down with man. If a person thinks they're gay, they must resist those urges and ask GOD to help take them away.
You can't "water down your faith" and choose which commandments to follow and which ones not to, simply because you don't like them. I choose not to "water down my faith" in GOD. Like I said,.. I believe with all my heart and soul.
As for my son, he stated with his own mouth, that he questions the existence of GOD. It is upsetting to me but, I will try to show him the way to the LORD. I won't scold or punish him. That's not my job as a parent. All I can do is to try to teach him to the best of my ability. The rest is in GOD'S hands.