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my brother doesn't believe in god
15/f
My family is catholic, but i found out that my brother is "agnostic". This has happened recently, he is a seventh grader and only 13 years old. Will he grow out of this? He goes to church but he never says any of the prayers or anything. A lot of people think catholicism is too "strict" but our church isn't a normal catholic church; we have a youth choir that actually sings songs that aren't boring and we have youth groups and our priests are really nice and actually give good sermons. What can i do to help him? I don't want to shove it down his throat or anything...but what should i do? please help!
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Want to answer more questions in the Miscellaneous category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Spirituality?
just because he goes to church doesn't tell whether he is a christian. sometimes you have to show people the love of God by doing good deeds or show love. try giving and praying. going to church and being in a religion, doesn't mean you're going to heaven, you have to believe in Jesus and that he died for you. ask your brother to try believing and being open minded. ask him to pray for something, and i'm sure God will make a miracle happen for him. but he has to look for it and believe, and love God. maybe, you should try taking your younger brother to other christian churches, like a baptist church or methodist, he may just need a place that'll help him find faith.
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Most people have a "crisis of faith" at some point in their life. You can't make anyone believe if they don't or don't want to believe. You can talk with your parish priest and see if they have any advice but if he is like most people who are questioning their faith he may find this as interfering on your part and resent what you are doing. Have you discussed this with your parents? If they do not see a problem I would stay out of it, faith is a personal choice and people have to come to their choices, beliefs, etc. on their own and in their own time. If you try to push him he may turn away from the church for good. I recommend being supportive and let him find his own way in this one. Be available to answer his questions if he has any and maybe read some articles etc on agnostics and see where he is coming from.
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this can be a very tricky situation.
yes, you are right, dont shove it down his throat, this will only make things worse.
being only 13, that is a very confusing time for a child, and its a good possiblity that he will grow out of it.
try to show him why God is so important.
and what God did for us.
I understand your pain. I am a very strong christian, where as most of my friends are agnostic. But stand firm in your beliefs and try to help him as much as you can. Try speaking with your priests about your brother,and hopefully they will have some tips as to how to help him.
I hope that i helped some.
if you have anymore questions please ask.
-jessicamarie.
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Everyone's journey is different. And those who find God on their journey find Him at different times.
He's 13. Hes rebelling. He wants to be different, and this is an outward expression of differences he can't quite understand or explain yet.
Just be his sister. Don't bring God into it. Just love him for who he is, and call him when hes not doing right, faith or no faith. If you try to convert him, all you will do is drive him apart.
The truest way to teach others about Christ is to be an example. Apply that.
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Well, it dosen't sound like he should be very bored if your church actually does things, but that could still be a possibility. What's probably happening though is that he's beginning to form, and express his own opinions. If others try to "shove their opinions down his throat", he may begin to have a negative connotation with religion--which is why I'd reccomend to let him make his own decisions at this point.
Of course, he could just not be QUITE as into prayer as your family may be. Perhaps he still prays on his own? There's no saying you have to follow a set standard to say you believe in a certain thing.
Try to talk to him some times about what HE believes, and what he thinks of your church, rather than what you'd reccomend. I commend you, however for being there and concerned for him, and wanting to help him. If you'd like, make little subtle reccomendations that he may, or may not take into consideration.
Just make sure he knows that he's accepted, and that your religion is there for him. After that, let him make his own decisions.
XOXO
KAT.
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I think it would be best if you let him decide for himself...Many people are pushed away from their familys religion because they feel never know anything else. I can guarantee that you will not be able to change his mind once he has made a decision and attempting to convert him can only cause strain on your brother/sister relationship. Everyone has a right to believe what they want to and still be accepted by the people that matter the most. Whatever you do, Do Not crusify him for what he believes whether you agree or not.
Good Luck
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I think you should do nothing. Let him decide on his own what he wants to believe in. As long as he's being respectful (to your family's beliefs and others' beliefs) you really shouldn't be concerned.
~Maria, 17
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see i understand because i am of catholic faith. i dont practice though. but i doubt god sometimes but your brother is trying to find his own way of justafying existance. i cry sometimes because i want so much to believe devotedly and to feel like it wont change but the human mind cannot hold on to something so intense. think of it maybe as santa clause or the easter bunny as kids we worshiped them we looked up to them put faith into them and we found out tht they never were there. let him find his way. it may be a phase i dont know him but i have a brother a year younger than him and im your age. you are a great sister and i praise you for being so considerate i share your concern and i am here if you need anything. good luck girlie.
labella1400
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tell him what you think, but i think at a point we all doubt God...I however worship God...I love him and your brother will just have to have his beliefs...all you can do is tell him your side...
-hayley
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give him your opinion of course, explain to him what it means to you to believe in the faith. and then ultimately he has to decide who he is, what's he going to to do, and who he'll believe in. he'll get there, don't fret.
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