My son claims to be an atheist what can I do?

Michele - posted on 07/09/2011

My daughter went through that stage too. I hate to downplay this for you, but it's the cool thing to do now. I didn't stress the issue with her and she eventually came around. I would say things about it being a beautiful day and look at that rainbow. There is no way that just happens without someone setting it in motion. Just little things here and there and suddenly, it wasn't cool to be an athirst anymore. I promise, it will get better.

Ellen - posted on 07/09/2011

I have two teens I pray the rosery three times a day. teens are hard to deal with. Thay really need those prays to get throught the teen yrs.

Ellen - posted on 07/09/2011

I have two teens I pray the rosery three times a day. teens are hard to deal with. Thay really need those prays to get throught the teen yrs.

Amanda - posted on 07/18/2010

Just keep praying, and showing him love through what God has done in your life! I have learned that you can't force people to come to the Lord they have to realize they are lost and come to him on their own. My husband is a saved person and has been going through some hard times for the last three years! At first I try to make him feel guilty for not going to church, and then I realized that he just needs to work whatever it is with the Lord himself, and then maybe he can get back to where he was before, The important thing that I need to do for him is stay strong in my faith, show him love, and through my daily walk show him how God is working in me as well as praying for him. This is all you can do too! I known parents that have prayed for years some up to 10 years. I know that you are worried about him but the best thing to do is pray, pray, pray!

Mae - posted on 07/18/2010

Missy,
This can be very heartbreaking especially when you don't know why they changed their mind. At 15 it could just be rebelion in which case pray and don't force the issue. My brother decided that he was atheist at about that age but it was because his best friend died of cancer right in front of him. I wish that I could say that he has since given his heart back to the lord but he hasn't. Just be faithful and pray for him and try to listen like you think Christ would when you son talks about it that is what I do with my brother and I see hope he has asked me to pray for him a few time when he needed God. My family will pray for you both

Doreen - posted on 07/11/2010

Let go and let God. At 15 he is still at that age where uncertainty is at its best. Keep praying for him and lead by example. If you force him to believe in God he will move further away. Ask God to soften his heart. Keep praying for him. take care.

Tamela - posted on 07/02/2010

One more thing: I gave my heart to Jesus at age 4. I knew exactly what I was doing and love Jesus on my level. I understood sin and the cross and all that it entails. I grew in knowledge. I struggled when I was about 16. I just was impatient and didn't trust God with things I should have known I could trust him with. I spent a few years away from church, doing my own thing. God NEVER stopped whispering love in my ear, even when I was FAR from where I should be. It took a while, but I did begin to walk back toward God and have been living for Him completely for about 8 years now. It had to become a more adult type of relationship, but my salvation was real at 4. God has no interest in losing his sheep. He will leave the 99 to find the one. Trust me, God hasn't given up on him. Listen carefully for leading on when to say anything and what to say. Just saw my husband saved after 24 years of marriage. I am celebrating, you will too.

Tamela - posted on 07/02/2010

Do not panic. I must have difficult teenagers because at one time or another they have all struggled with their faith. My pastor has a theory that there is no such thing as an athiest. Most people who say they are an athiest are very very angry at God about something and it is the way they feel they can best get back at him - by saying they don't believe He exists. I tend to agree with him. I have one son who has a closer walk, then a farther away walk. My advice: be consistent, speak to him as if he is saved, share the joys and the praise worthy and be honest about times when you have struggled with God and his place in your life. Pray and pray and pray. God does exist, we know Him and we can trust him to send people to cross your son's path that will encourage him to begin again to hear His voice, share His love and maybe even set truth to cobat the lies of the enemy. I will pray. My son knows where to land one, sometimes he has said this just to get to me and then come back later and told me he was just mad. I know just where you are. Hope this helps.

Chrystal - posted on 07/01/2010

Pray over him!! Claim the blood of Jesus, rebuke the devil, ask why? and educate him as much as you can on the bible..good luck.

Lillian - posted on 07/01/2010

Although it is very tough and upsetting to watch your child go through this doubt, it is almost always just a faze caused by rebellion, how society and public schools are teaching and of course what their friends think. It's a very tough world to grow up in. Keep praying. Pray for guidence on how you can show your son by example the love of our Omega is. Pray for patience and peace within yourself as you learn to deal with this subject. Make sure you continiue to walk with Jesus daily no matter what ever happens.
And above all else, let God take care of your son. In His timing your son will be shown what the truth is and then it's completely up to your son thanks to the gift of free will.
I will keep your family in my prayers. I have a teen daughter who also turned away from the Lord.

Jacqueline - posted on 07/01/2010

The first thing not to do is panic, secondly dont harrass him it could be just a phase or it could be a spiritual battle. my son went thru the same thing and i prayed for Jesus to manifest himself to my son in a personal way tha he could not deny. he had also been saved as a young child. when we accept christ we are his. dont worry just continue to pray for him to have a personal encounter w/ christ. some months later as i was talking to my son he told me that he knew there was a God and he now has a prayer life.I Bless you and your family in the name of jesus, remember no weapon formed against us will prosper!!!!

Linette - posted on 07/01/2010

The best you can do is keep praying for him continuously,and let the light of Christ shine thru you in your life for him to see in your actions and words.Still love him with all you have,and be there for him,but pray,pray,pray,and if you believe in fasting perhaps even try that once with lots of prayer.I'll be praying for you and your son.God bless you.

Estari - posted on 06/30/2010

Please consider getting the book "The Power of a Praying Parent" by Stormie Omartian. She has prayers and scriptural references that address most aspects of your child's existence with specificity. There are also workbooks and prayer books that supplement her core publications. Very comforting and encouraging reading, for me at least. Please remember that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers." Satan has waged a war for control of your son's mind. The more talented and gifted children are, the more useful they can be not only in God's hands, but also in the hands of Satan. Keep praying and pleading the blood of Jesus over your children. The war is real, but so is the VICTORY!

Laura - posted on 06/30/2010

Just love, love, love, love...and don't preach. Let your life and your love speak for itself.

Stephanie Jo - posted on 06/30/2010

Praying for your son is the best thing you can do.Show him how much you love Jesus everyday.Ask everyone you know to pray. I will be praying for him.

Melissa - posted on 06/30/2010

Fifteen is a very difficult age. He is exploring his independence and sometimes kids rebel for the shock value. Age 4 was really too young for him to make such a decision to follow the Lord, but at least it shows you that he at one time was receptive. The real question is what happened between now and age 15. Is something else going on? Is he depressed? Is he getting bad grades? Is he retracting from the family? Who is he hanging out with?

The main thing is to love him through this. Only God knows his flock. He will place your son in situations to see that He is the one true God. Spend quality time with him, make sure his influences and examples are good ones. Most of all, keep praying! Your son will find his way.

God Bless!
M.

Pny - posted on 06/30/2010

Give him some Josh McDowell materials (Popular, world renown "EVIDENCE that Demands a Verdict", "Is Jesus really GOD?", "Resurrection Factor" etc.) . He was a former agnostic and thought Christianity was a joke. He set out to refute it intellectually and after 2yrs of research became a believer. Get him "More than a Carpenter" or "When Skeptics ask?" or "Answers to TOUGH Questions", any of those Christian apologetic books and materials will be great for him. Challenge him academically and let GOD be GOD!

We will pray for him and in this process it will educate you and build your faith on how to deal with antheism, gnosticsm and many other opposing views.

Sincerely,

gbepny@msn.com

Web ref: www.josh.org, www.equip.org (CRI with Hank Hanegraff).

Elizabeth - posted on 06/30/2010

I know this is a little late since you posted, but putting myself in your shoes....I would be praying, that God would show you and your family the right direction to lead your son. God has given us this beautiful gift....our children and it's our responsibility to raise them. So, If I were in your shoes, I would tell him/her that I am sure that they have thought out their decision carefully since they decided on becoming an Atheist. I would STRONGLY recommend suggesting he read C.S Lewis' "Mere Christianity". The title might throw him off/ away from the book, but C.S. Lewis was also once an Atheist. This book was beautifully, and carefully written on why he actually finally became a Christian after trying or seeking out all other religions. In the end he found the real truth. Hope this helps. :0) Will be praying for you, your son, and your family.

Vicki - posted on 06/30/2010

God honors a mom's prayers, don't give up. Continue to give your son the unconditional love that God gives us. And remember God's word says raise them up the way they are to go and they will not fall away. Trust and faith in a God that is bigger than any influence of this world.

Julia - posted on 06/30/2010

Sounds like me. I gave my heart to Jesus when I was 5, but due to circumstances in my life, I took it back at 9 and lived as a pagan (literally, involved in witchcraft, etc.) until I was 19. It was then that I had my rebirth.

What drew me back to the Lord was the TRUTH. Other Christians lived attractive lives to me, lives full of love but not compromise. They successfully modeled Galations' fruit of the spirit list, and were NOT perfect, plastic Christian saints, but real people with real problems who wrestled with the spirit and their own flesh.

DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOUR SON, and do not "punish" or pester him for this decision, but constantly love him, pray for him, because it is the Holy Spirit, and not you, who will change his heart.

And don't despair. My parents often thought they'd lost me, and blamed themselves for my betrayal of the Lord. But it had nothing to do with them. We ALL come to God, or reject him, alone. Pray, and don't give up on him.

And you CAN engage him--careful now!--in non-accusatory, non-pleading conversation. Honestly ask him what led him to this decision? Find out his reasoning, because a 15 year old is an emotional creature, just now learning to be an adult, and can rationalize his world-view.

Also remember, "THE GOD OF THIS WORLD" (Satan) pretty much enjoys the throne on public education...if your son's been in public school for the last 10 years, his recent decision doesn't surprise me in the least.

You must counter it with truth, and love.

*hugs*

~ Julia

Pam - posted on 06/30/2010

Missy, another thing. I learned to back off! I just prayed and loved her!! The more preachy you become, the more likely he will put up a wall. Remember, the Lord loves him more than you do! ((hugs))

Pam - posted on 06/30/2010

"Train a child up in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6
Missy, just keep praying and loving your son. I went through the same thing with my daughter. She fell away from the Lord during her college years and didn't return to the Lord until she was 35. She is now 37. She also declared herself to be an atheist. My husband and I just keep praying for her and hoped we would live to see her return to Jesus. One day she asked if she could borrow the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. She always enjoyed scary stuff...Stephen King novels, etc...and thought this would be something like that. Low and behold, the Lord used that book to bring her back. She told me she was driving in the car and asked the Lord to please remove whatever was keeping her from believing, and he instantly removed the scales from her eyes! Praise the Lord! Now she regularly attends church, attends a Mom's group bible study and an evening bible study, and is volunteering to help with VBS this year. So please, please be encouraged! And keep faith that God is faithful to his promises! Remember, it took me many years to see my prayer answered. Now we are praying for my son-in-law, who is an atheist, and praying for my grandchildren to come to faith in Jesus. God bless you, Missy!

Michelle - posted on 06/30/2010

Although I was raised by two wonderful Christian parents, when I was a teen to my early twenties I really rebelled. My parents prayed for me and showered me with unconditional love. I truly beliieve that because my parents had planted such deep roots I returned to them. My suggestion is this,first continue to pray. Second, ask God to hold your son in his hand and ask for peace about the situation. Third, love, love, love your son. Show him God's unconditional love. Sometimes these things take time which is hard on parents! Just know that in my case, I ended up with a deeper, closer relationship with the Lord than I think I would have had if I had not strayed. I needed the deep faith to endure hardhips I would face later in life. But through it all I know that God is good! I will be praying for you, dear sister and also for your sweet son.

Tonya - posted on 06/30/2010

I'm no expert on this, but sometimes kids just do things to fit in.Perhaps he is just saying this because his friends claim that they are atheist. Did he give you any reasons as to why he feels this way ? With all that is going on in the world that might be his reason to feel this way, remind him that the Lord is in control & that bad things happen because of sin in this fallen world. One book that you might want to check out is : How To Bring Your Children To Christ & Keep Them There. It's by Ray Comfort. Ray Comfort also has a web site you could check out it is : Way Of The Master. Com ( I think) . Don't give up & keep praying for him, God Bless

Rachel - posted on 06/30/2010

These were the verses I thought of also when I read your post. Sometimes all we can do is stand on the promises of God and trust Him. I have a lot of family that is athiest, and it is heart wrenching. I try to remember that I may be the only "Jesus" they meet. It challenges me to work harder to be a disciple of Christ. My prayers are with you and your family.

Velvia - posted on 06/29/2010

You are not alone. My daughter and I were very close all the time she was growing up. Once she got married we had some down time, but usually got back to the good place. Then one day out of the blue she told me she was an ahteist and now barely speaks to me. It is heartbreaking and I feel your pain. Just keep praying and God in his own time and in his own way will answer.
We are going on almost 5 years now and it still hurts just like the day she told me.

Julie - posted on 06/28/2010

If you are a Christian and knows that there is a God out there..... the thing to do now is DONT GIVE UP ON GOD because He's Able to Exceedingly Abundantly Above all we could ever ask.......
He's Able.


Darwin Hobbs sings this song listen and be inspired........

Miriam - posted on 06/28/2010

Hi, Missy,
Have you asked him why he believes this way now? What has changed since he gave his heart to Jesus? Who are his friends and what are their beliefs? Are they and their families Christians? Is he a part of a church group with a leader that can talk to him? Does your church youth group fellowship with other church youth groups? What kind of music and video games are part of his life? What about influence by school teachers? Is there a spiritual person that would mentor him?
I will keep both of you in my prayers and I hope I have given you someplace to start and some hope! Blessings on you both.

Julie - posted on 06/28/2010

Also, who is he hanging around?

Julie - posted on 06/28/2010

How do you know that he truly gave his heart to Jesus at 4? That is a very young age to truly understand. Have you asked him why he believes the way he does and what does he say? R you in a great church with a great youth group that you can take him to? Take him rather he wants to or not. Be consistent in going to church and make him go. Continue to be a Godly example and continue to pray for him. Prayer changes things!

Belinda - posted on 06/28/2010

Continue praying. All I can say is I'm going through something similar with my son, though he does not claim to be an atheist, he just does not want to serve the Lord anymore. I don't fight him on this, but I do tell him that God has a plan for him and in God's time it will come to pass. Just fast and pray. The devil is a liar! Speak in faith, call things that are not as if they were. When I pray I thank God for my son's salvation, even though I may not see it now, I know it's coming. Proclaim it and receive it! I also have prayed that God follow my son wherever he goes. And, you know what, He's has been. My son will tell me things that are going on lately and I know it's God. I've seen a change in my son for the better. He still questions a lot, but at least he's asking questions. God is good. Sister, just hold on to that promise in God's word that "me and my household shall be saved!" God bless and I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Chris - posted on 06/27/2010

Pray, pray and pray some more. God will listen. Also, always let him see your faith in action. He is a teen. He may have friends who dont believe. It is common for teens and young adults to fall away from the church. There is a great chance that when he has a family of his own he will go back to the Lord. Pray that God sends a christian woman into his life in the future. I will pray for you and your son.

April - posted on 06/27/2010

Pray , but don't pressure. It will only fuel his rebellion.

Mrs Donna - posted on 06/27/2010

You need to continue praying and let God handle it. Have the faith and it will be done. Continue to tell the devil he is a liar (out loud). Your son will go back to that first love. Pray for God to heal his mind because if satan gets his mind he will get the body. God Bless and I am praying also.

Ninna - posted on 06/26/2010

Well unfortunately at the age of 4, he really didn't fully have the full understanding of what he was doing. Around 8 and up they can grasp what they are doing. Now that he is 15, you almost have to use apologetics to get him to see the reasoning behind his belief system. Like when he asks a question turn that question around on him, so what you're telling me is that.... and repeat the question to him. Most people who do not believe in God get their information from some where else, they have nothing to back them up. It is harder not to believe than it is to believe. Ask him if he is willing to take the risk of going to hell for not wanting to believe. Take him through the word, try not to attack him, pray like you have never prayed before and be the example. Speak the truth to him, basically speak the word to him. Tell him how God sees him. That he is fearfully and wonderfully made, that he is precious in His sight etc.... He may not want to hear it but we know that God's word does not go void and we may plant the seeds in our children but sometimes God uses other people to water it and ultimately God is the one that causes it go grow, He is the author and perfector of our faith!!!!!! Do not give up, love, love, and love some more. 15 is a hard age, be strong you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you, AMEN!!!!!!!

Brenda - posted on 06/26/2010

I feel the need to tell you that my middle daughter strayed away also. She got involved with a Muslim. She saw him for about a year and I was really scared that she was going to go away with him to his country. He was asking her to go with him. They began seeing each other when she lived about 4 hours away from us. Then she moved back home. After that she and he were talking on the phone and he had given her a Koran to read. When I found out they were reading that together on the phone, I almost went out of my mind. She was telling me I needed to be more open minded. I told her that if I found the Koran I was going to burn it. She ended up giving it back to the guy. My husband and I prayed and prayed and had church members praying about it with us. It didn't look like our prayers were ever going to be answered. But God in his mercy and love revealed to her that this guy was not God like. He had a very bad temper. Oh, he had memorized a lot of the Koran and thought he knew more about my Bible than I did. When I talked to him, he was telling me something that was not in our Bible and he claimed it was. To make a long story short, he told my daughter that I was a very wise woman. He visited our church one time and he said he was very uncomfortable.
Well eventually they broke up and she is now singing in a Christian band. They believe in Jesus. Praise God for His amazing grace and mercy. Keep Praying and get everyone you know to put them on their prayer list at other churches and on all prayer list everywhere. God will hear and answer your prayers.

Wan Lanae' - posted on 06/26/2010

I feel you, sweetheart. My son was baptized when he was about ten years old...maybe younger. It broke my heart when he started to become a teenager. They tend to question things at this age. Always remember that you raised him according to GOD's word. This is what HE commands us to do. He has followed the steps of salvation. HE has obeyed GOD the way you have taught him. As children get older, they start to question things. Make sure that your life and faith in GOD is strong and that everything he sees you doing in his presence, make sure your actions are GODLY. At this time, he is watching you very carefully. Never close down the lines of communication. At 15 they tend to think they know everything. My son and I argued a lot and he defied me with all his might. They seem to be trying to find themselves. Keep praying for your child~~never ceasing. You will find that much later in his life, he will come to you for help and encouragement. My son is twenty one now. I am his rock and we have been through a lot..He was my best friend and sidekick because I raised him alone. Never lose faith in GOD. Continue to pray for his safety and that GOD never leave his side. As your son begins to see the miracles in your life, he will begin to start questioning life again and your opportunity to share GOD is going to come again...Be ready, my sister.

Barbara - posted on 06/26/2010

I think you should give him time. Don't force it on him, it will really make it worse. Understand that now is a difficult time for him too, going against all that he ever knew its probably not easy. When he was 4, he was just a baby, he did what you were doing. He probably feels that it wasn't his choice but yours. He is a teen and soon he will be an adult, he will understand. God doesn't give us anything that we cannot handle, have patience and try to guide him "without forcing him". Good Luck.

Jan - posted on 06/26/2010

You have already said it the only answer is prayer. I am praying with you for your son. Ask your church family to pray as well. It could just be a phase to see how you will react to his statement. You may want to ask how he came to that conclusion but whatever you do never argue with him on the subject.

Lisa - posted on 06/26/2010

I wish your son would consider reading the book "90 Minutes In Heaven" by Rev. Don Piper. After my daddy died 4 yrs. ago, this book was the only comfort I seemed to have. It is this minister's recollection of his death in a car accident, and his time in Heaven for 90 mins. when he was actually dead. If you could get his curiosity up, and manage to get him to read this book(especially chapter 2), I'm sure his life and future would never ever be the same. And I'm certain his views would change about God. Walmart has the book. Get it, read it yourself, leave it laying around the house, maybe he'll wonder what you get out of it. And maybe he'll open the book. If he'll just start reading, he won't be able to put it down. When the book ends, you'll both have to go back and re-read chapter 2. Believe me - Heaven IS and always was. And so is God. Real. Real. Real. Keep your faith...you can't ever give up on your children, and God will bless you for it.

IFEOMA - posted on 06/26/2010

wow. something must have happened to make him lose faith. keep praying and demonstrating by your lifestyle the omnipotence of God.

Emily - posted on 06/26/2010

just keep praying and put God in front of him so that he can choose come back, don't force him that will just push him away

Deb - posted on 06/26/2010

I read some of the responses, but not all, so if this is a repeat, please forgive me.... :)
Scripture teaches us to "train up a child in the way he should go, and in his old age, he will not turn from it..." however there is a lot of searching that goes on in between being trained and old age :)
You have trained him, and now you just need to surround him in your unconditional love, and keep him covered in prayer, remembering that our Father loves him even more than you do! ♥
Be ready to answer questions or accusations he makes, but never in an angry or offensive way. Simply answers. As the Lord gives you opportunities to feed him truth, feed it....when you're to remain silent (as in the case of him trying to "bait" you into an argument) remain silent...and thru it all shower him with love...as much as we love them, we can not make their choice for them, just as Christ doesn't make it for them...or us...keep good reading material around (Like Ravi Zecharias, Lee Strobel, Creation Institute etc...) that will be a silent witness to him as he continues to find his own way.....he'll be back :)

Tammy - posted on 06/26/2010

Missy, as a child of God you have authority regarding your children. Watch what you speak out of your mouth. Don't say things like, "I don't know what I'm gonna do" and "My son is an atheist" etc. First, out of your mouth, reverse any curses you have spoken over him by saying things like what I quoted above. Speak blessings and life over your son. Go in his room when he is not home and anoint his pillow with oil and pray over it. Ask God to visit him in dreams and ask God to let His presence fill the room. I am not saying any of this to condemn you.....trust me.....but I am letting you know the authority God has given to us as a parent. Let me tell you how I know about this......the devil came to me in a dream asking me for my daughter and my son......he had to ask ME!!!! I told him no!!!! He came to me again in another dream asking for my son.....I told him no!!!!! So do you see what I'm saying.....be confident that as his mother who is in Christ, you have God given authority in the name of Jesus to take back your son!!!! God promised us and our household will be saved....hold on to that promise! Speak blessing and life over your son and keep praying and God will move! I will be praying for you and let me give you another testimony....when I was too weak and too down to pray I asked God to flash my face before people who are strong in faith and who pray through till they get an answer and have them pray for me. I got a phone call from a friend I hadn't talked to in a long long time.....she lives in another state....she said God had flashed my face before her in prayer and she wanted to make sure I was ok and she also said her brother who lives in another country had had a dream about me and was praying for me....he has never seen me! How awesome is God!!!!! Have faith in God, Missy! He will come through for you!

Irene - posted on 06/26/2010

You are doing all that you need to do.... keep praying. Most children go through a phase where they question everything... and questioning God is really normal. All of our children are God's children, so stay steady and firm in your own faith, show him by example how a relationship with God is fulfilling in your own life and don't push him too hard. He will come around again.... because God is holding him in the palm of His hand. Trust and be at peace.... all will be well.
Irene

Janice - posted on 06/26/2010

Hi Missy, Definitely PRAYER is your number one weapon against this announcement from your son. For him to make that declaration means that he is thinking independently of his upbringing and trying to find things out for himself. I would however recommend a alittle 'reverse psychology' and question him on his new found beliefs. Tell him he has to be sure and then ask him to explain certain things like 'birth', 'life', 'miracles' and explain the invisible force of a Diety, whose thoughts are higher than ours and ways are higher than ours and that is God, our heavenly Father. Pose questions that will cause him to think, think, think and in time he will just have to accept things in faith! Remember it's the Holy Spirit that convicts, not us. All the best and God bless you and your family!

Sherran - posted on 06/26/2010

You gave your son the basis of life...He accepted the Lord at an early age, keep in mind that the Holy Spirit never leaves nor does He forsake. So no matter the battle....there is a still small voice that will forever be with your son. Your job is to never give up and keep praying. The word says to declare a thing and it SHALL be established. So declare that the enemy has no hold on your son and that his mind is free and clear to make Godly sound decisions.

Monique - posted on 06/26/2010

My son went through the same thing at about 15. then he began to question 'which god is the right god' and exploring other religions. He eventually figured out that Jesus Christ was his Lord and Savior, and was baptised on Mother's day this year. He is 19 now and headed to the Air Force.

One thing we did enforce was that he attend church with us EVERY Sunday. Our rule: "if you live in this house and you are a member of this family, you WILL attend church." We did change services, and began to attend a contemporary service that was more to his liking. Once he turned 18, he tried the 'I'm an adult" approach, and we informed him that the rule still applied.

Keep praying and place it in God's hands. He will take care of him.

Aunty - posted on 06/26/2010

Interesting thought - if an atheist is a person who doesn't believe in God - which god does he not believe in? Buddah? the god of intellect? materialism? humanism? If he claims to believe god doesn't exist - what other god but Yahwah God? Ah! but by just saying that - he is admitting His existence!

Personally - I do not believe in electricity. My father-in-law was a Master Electrician - I reap the benefits of light switches every day - but I cannot SEE electricity - I cannot CONTROL electricity - I do not UNDERSTAND how it works (are you kidding me? invisible power currents leaping across sticky-outy things?) - so I choose not to believe in electricity. My belief doesn't change its existence -

When Jesus was confronting Peter (Luke 22:31-32) He said, but "I pray for you - that your faith will not fail." If Jesus prayed that for His disciple - how much more so do we pray for our closest disciples - our children -

suggestion: Pray for him when he is asleep - so the Holy Spirit can be free to speak to him. He probably won't have his defenses up when he is sleeping!

Bonnie - posted on 06/26/2010

Hello Missy! I must say I can completely relate to what you are saying. My oldest son is 16 and I am going through the same thing. Well he hasn't come right out and admitted atheism but close enough! At first his behavior upset me so much. I thought, " what happened? have I done or have I not done something?" I ended up confiding in a few people at church and was fortunate to have done so. Luckily I was given some wonderful advice. Given that his age is such a rebellious one it is very common for kids to act out when it comes to God. They think of God as just one more form of control. Which as we both know is not true. Many kids that age refuse to go to church and turn away from the Lord altogether. Even children from some of the most devout Christian families do this. (In fact this happens a lot) While it is sad and stressful, even down right heartbreaking that this occurs, hope is still there as God is our glorious guide. Give to him your worries. What you will find works really well for 15 year old kids is feeling included. Make him think it is his idea and that you are not pushing and you will be surprised what can happen! May God send plenty of grace, hope, and love to you and your wonderful family! Best of luck to you!!
~Bonnie