Religion

Hi C.,

In this age of drugs, violence and all the challenges our children face, I think that any religion or belief in God should be encouraged and nurtured. Our kids need something to belief in and hold on to. As to what religion you chose, that's a personal decision and is your right to choose (as long as it is a safe, non-abusive place.) I know my faith in God has kept me sane through some very difficult times in my life. Best wishes, P. B.

C.,

I'm a little confused when you say "my son's family". Aren't you your son's family.

Pentecostal or Catholic, both religions are christian in nature. This is YOUR son, if you have found God in a pentecostal church, then please continue to attend, and take your son. I would advise you to pray about this and then follow your heart.

Your son's family (also your family?) can attend whatever church they choose. (God himself allows freedom of choice) Each person will be judged by God, so do not judge each other, but love each other as commanded by God. If your family makes it impossible for you to worship as you choose, then you may need to move on and live your life on this earth without them. Your eternal life is far more important. God Bless you and your son.

J. L.

C., being Spiritually rich is important for you and your family. We all need to believe there is something greater than us. It doesn't have to look any special way, worship in a way that works for you. Nobody can tell you what to believe. Things that make you feel joyful and at peace will never steer you wrong. I had been struggling with who I want to follow. I was raised Catholic too. Spirituality for me has become more about loving everyone, everything and accepting people where they are without judgement. Best of luck to you in finding your peace.

This is very hard, but they need to realize it is not going to hurt him in anyway. I was never baptized, but my hubby was when he was 12, When I was prego with #2 (his) they were really adamant about her needing to be baptized so that she wouldnt go to hell and all this other wierd stuff that to me is sooo off the wall, but my hubby wanted her to be done as well, so I agreed that both of the girls would both be done (which by the way still hasnt happened) because it wouldnt hurt them either way. My oldest daughters fathers family are devote Pentacostal, her abuelo is a pastor. She has been involved in their church as well as her fathers exgirlfriend would take her to her Catholic church quite often. A little understanding and faith is never a bad thing, but I am a strong believer and allowing them to make their own decision about what they believe when they are old enough to understand. Its great for you to have God in your life, and they need to except that as part of who you are as a person and a mother. Good luck!

Oh, Sweetie!
It's SO simple. YOU are the mother, so YOU say where your precious child goes , what he does and what he learns. Your love and search for God has led you to a place and group of people where you feel loved and nurtured.You want your son to learn and feel that. Period.
If you just keep stating that to folks who confront you in a pleasant tone, with no confrontation in your voice, they will either eventually lay off you , or move out of your life.
How other people think about that and feel about that are not your problems.
God speaks to us in our hearts, dear one. It's up to us to listen.Be strong in your love, Mama. Whatever you decide, prayer and a personal relationship with God is a gift you can give your son in OR out of church, no matter what church you attend. Teach him to pray, follow your heart, and nurture your beautiful little family.
May God bless you all with health , joy, and prosperity.
Hugs and prayers,
Another mom and grandma.

Hi C.,
I just wanted to encourage you to keep seeking God. If you feel his presence in that pentecostal church, GO!! Go ahead and get into the Word to see if the teaching matches scripture. Pray for God to show you how to apply what you are learning in your life and he will do it! You cannot go wrong in following God's leading! He promises in the book of Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Your son will potentially benefit eternally from your walk with Jesus. As others have said, it is YOUR job to teach your babe the truth, but to teach it, you have to be grounded in it yourself. I can imagine all the contrasts you are experiencing going from Cathoic teachings to Pentecostal teachings...it's so important to constantly go to the Word and do your own studying. Don't let others (even family) stop you from doing what you know in your heart is right for you and for your son! Could you get plugged in to a Bible study or care group at the church to help you find your way?
God bless you and encourage you today!
M.

Stick to your beliefs. God will see you through it. It says in the Bible that we as Christians are not accepted in the human world. So it is going to cause friction with those that do not believe. I remember when I first became a Christian, I felt like I was the only one in my family. My Mother disowned me. And my Father, Brother, and Sister all wanted to see less and less of me. Since then my Mother does talk to me about anything else except my Faith. And the rest (Father, brother, and sister) are all Christians now. Be daily in God's word. You are your son's Mother, and ultimatly you decide what you want your son to learn or not learn. It's not like you are abusing your son by taking him to church. You and your son will be better off doing so.

Hi C.
I feel like I am in the same boat you are. I don't care about the name that goes with the church its what I am learning about and what my children are learning. I found this wonderful baptist church and I am not baptist and no one in my family is either and I am hearing alot of negative comments. Finally, I said you know what you didn't take me to church when I was a child, I am figuring this out on my own and I don't want to go to a Catholic Church nor a Luthern which my husband grew up in. It's not about what you want its about what I want for me and my family. They backed off after that. It's so hard...I don't know why people feel they have the right to speak their opinion on such a personal subject. Good Luck!
K.

some people might find me really nasty to say this, but as far as the family goes, in my opinion, its none of their business what religion you choose for you and your children! it is your responsibility to raise your children as you see fit. religion is a tough one, but i feel that you should go with your heart!!

I'm so sorry for your stress! I too began attending a pentecostal church in my early 20's & did not have the approval of my family. It must be even more difficult with a child.

Fist, I'd pray & just ask God for His peace, as well as His help in discussing this with your son's family. Then, I would find a nice way to tell your family it's none of their business :) I might say "I really enjoy this Pentecostal church that I'm attending. When he gets older, if you'd like to take him to Catholic church while he's visiting you, that would be fine."

Praying for you!

C., I too was raised Catholic, and now am born-again Christian, attend non-denominational services and LOVE it. I am so happy to have a relationship with God. My family also resists anything other than Catholic church. Please stick to what your heart is telling you, this is God. Your son will be much better off with God in his life. YOU need to show God's light shining in you to your son and your family. Satan's influence is strong, and he will try anything to ruin your conviction. Pray ceaselessly, and I will also pray for you.

You have do what you believe is right for your child. If you don't mind your son going to church with family member's let him learn about both religions. If you let him learn about both religions he will be able to make his own decision when he gets older which one he believes in more. Or you can teach him what you believe in. It is your child and your responsability to teach him. If your family members do not agree then you should tell them that it is your decision and not to speak negatively about anyones religion. Everyone is free to believe in what they chose to, that is our right. I hope this helps.

What do you mean by 'family'? his father? his fathers family? he is your son and if you want God in his life find a church you are ahppy with and get involved..he is your family and it is your right. You can also get him a childs Bible and read him stories..you are not signing him up for a cult..I am sorry this is so stressful and people are making it hard for you.

Veggie Tales is a great cartoon with strories and songs about Gods love. It is really funny, really funny and fun too!.

I am also going through something very similar. i am penicostal and my daughter's father is Roman Cathlic which i do not agree with all of what they practice and him and his family are trying to put it in court papers that i have to raise my baby roman cathlic. I say you do what you believe in and what you know in your heart is right. God is not picky and choosy and you and what ever religin you decide he is still the same god and he is still going to love you just as much! Good Luck!

I suggest you go with your heart and attend the church you enjoy. That's probably the Lord leading you. Listen to Him. Also it is very important that your 15 month old go with you, you can't introduce him to God soon enough. There is a proverb (Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it) God Bless you and your son too. K.

Here's a different perspective: I think it is a good idea to learn about different religious beliefs so that one can understand the perspective of others. A belief in a god is important to you as well as your son's extended family. He will be learning about belief since you are bringing him to a church. You can visit other houses of worship if you are interested. So sad that there is so much division, misunderstanding, distrust, and bigotry. You were raised Catholic and now attend another Church. Who says your son will be a Pentocostal Christian? Who knows what he will decide when he's an adult. As long as he is loved and learns to respect all others, you're doing great.

: ) Maureen

C.,
So religion is always a tough one, especially when you are born/raised a certain religion and then attend another church where a "different" religion is tought. My thougths and feelings on this, being in your position once too, that as long as you believe in something and a higher being/power, you are doing the right things. I was born/raised Catholic, but started going to a Christian church and I thoroughly enjoyed it more and it all made more sense to me. I think you should continue to do what you feel is right and eventually everyone around will come around, heck, Catholic religion (and I am sure most religions) want you to be forgiving and take people for who they are. Do what feels right to you! Good luck.

They do not agree with religion or your religion? Quite frankly, this is your son, your decision. Freedom of religion is one of our most basic rights. If they choose to take him to a different church, then so be it, he will have two to choose from later in life.

They should focus on more important things, not on whether you take your son to church. I take it that your son's father is not with you, or so it would seem from your posting. If this is the case, you may not be able to please them regardless of what you do.

Try to build your own little support group, your family, your church, etc. Believe in yourself and you'll be okay.

religion is very important to families and children. christains have been persecuted for years. Is it that your family is not comfortable with the pentecostal service because it is different than catholithism. do what is right in your heart and pray about it ask god to give you support. ask your minseter maybe he can help. K.

Hi C.,

Take a deep breath, everything is going to be fine. This is your life & your child. God is THE MOST IMPORTANT thing EVERYONE needs in their life. You go ahead & go to church & do your thing. Anyone who gives you grief about this, you either A. tell them "this is my decision & I really wish you'd respect it, and if you can't do that, then please mind your own business" OR B. don't socialize with those people anymore.

My husband is a Christian, as well as his family. My parents are Catholic & my brothers & I were baptised Episcopalian. LOL all I know is that I very strongly believe in God and in Jesus Christ & that my life has far more meaning with God & Jesus in it. My family had & still has nothing nice to say about this at all - and didn't even attend my own christian baptism. I came straight out to my parents & told them that they have no right to say anything to me about it. That I'd appreciate them to respect my decision & that if they can't then, well, we just wont' get together as often and/or we won't talk about it at all. - I'll tell you what, my family got over it quite quickly. We went through 2 weeks of no contact & finally my mom caved - and we agreed to just not talk about it, and that's ok.

But don't push God away, just because other people don't get it yet ok? God does the most miraculous things in people's lives - even the smallest ones make the biggest difference. And even when times get tough - he may be testing you, or it's just the way things are supposed to go for a little while, life is never perfect or 100% fun without any hard times. Keep your faith in God & trust him - he won't let you down - especially when you believe in Him with all of your heart.

God Bless & take care

C.,
I think when it comes to religion you really have to stick to your beliefs. Have you tried explaining to your family some of the similarities between Catholicism and Pentecostalism? I am familiar with both...they both believe in the same God. The worship style is very different but the core beliefs about God, Jesus, and salvation may not be so different. Just a thought.

I don't have as much of a difficult situation with my sons family. They only conplane because they want him to sleep over one Saturdays and I refuse on most. It is important my son goes to church to learn and have God is his life. Some times I do give in and let him sleep over but most my answers no. I stick to my guns and that's that! It can be hard but God is the only one you can turn to! He can lift your burdens. Satan is very busy in all our lives and it seems in your especially right now. I will tell you that the only time I am that stressed about this area in life is when I'm doing something RIGHT! Keep searching for God. Through all my troubles I turned to Psalm 32 mostly verses 7 & 10. Also Isaiah 54:10 but this only speaks to me when it is from the KJ version which. I will keep you in my prayers.

There is a reason for you to take your child to church. Remember that he is your child, and if you want him to grow up in the church that is your choice. It is good to start them young. My son is 4 now, and really enjoys attending church. Especially the singing part of it. You are giving your child a new experience and no one should tell you that is a bad thing to do.

C.,
Stay steadfast in your desire for the Lord and choose where you are comfortable. Don't let them overpower you with authority. You are a full grown woman and in time they will accept it. They are just trying to keep you where they beleive you should be. I myself was brought up Catholic and am now Pentecostal and love it. Just try explain that you love the same Jesus and God. Ask why they are so against you going somewhere eles. You will not go to hell if that is what they tell you. How would God send you to hell if you are still worshipping him? But keep in prayer and the Lord will help you.
D. P

Hi C.,
My name is L. I grew up Pentecostal and converted to the Catholic religion and raise my 2 boys with my husband in this religion. I found that the negativity surrounding Catholics is much the same with all religions and jobs. There are always people that will take advantage of the small or weak, just listen to the news lately about children being approached here in Maine. It doesn't matter what religion you believe in, it is God, one and the same, live his way, do your best to hear from him when your final day arrives " Well done, my good and faithful servant"
Don't get caught up in the glamour of tv and newspapers, I personally have never had anyone in the many churches I have attended been inappropriate to me or my children in any way. Focus on the good that comes out of knowing God and let us be aware that bad can happen. We become better parents, watch them a bit more carefully and still live our lives without the fear of the unknown. I wish you well in your journey, don't forget he is always with you and will show you the way. L.

a bit about me, I am 45, married 25 years this June, 2 boys, and 5 dogs. I run a health & wellness business called Arbonne. I believe in taking care of yourself and it all starts with skincare and vitamins. check out my website http:www.seethedifference.myarbonne.com

Hi C.,
I'm not sure how close you are to Franklin but I think you would really enjoy New England Chapel. You can check it out at www.newenglandchapel.org You'd be amazed how many young mothers attend. Also, my kids ages 17,16 and 13 ask to attend these services and they have been educated K-8 in a catholic school. We still do attend our local Catholic church from time to time but they love the music and sermons at NEC.
Good luck and God Bless,
K.

Are they upset about church in general or about the particular religious seriveces you are taking your son to? I think you need to state in a very non-judgmental way that your choice is to expose him to different religions. Christian religions share similar messages. You have a choice about the religion you choose for you and your son. It sounds like you are not with your son's dad. Would you be okay if they bring him to other services? If so, you can let them know that and that may make them feel better. Either way, stand your ground if this is something you feel strongly about.
Good Luck,
M.