Christians only please: My brother in law (atheist) doesnt want to take his kids to church, should I intervene so they know the love of christ at an early age?
by 
Trainsaresweet
ANSWERS: 44
-
just pray
-
I'd just like to point out that they don't have to go to church to see the love of Christ. Let them see that in their uncle.
-
No. HE is their parent-not you. You can hope and pray they find God on their own, but you have no right to interfere in his parenting.
-
Lemme ask you this, how would you like it if he intervened and forbade you from taking your own kids to your church? Would you like and or approve of it? Whatever your answer and rationale is for saying no, apply it to your own question. You people are so misguided and self-righteous that the thought of living and letting live kills you, doesn't it? Also, if it were me and you were in my family, I'd put a freaking restraining order against you! How dare you?
-
You can offer to take them, but if he doesn't want them to go, then all you can do is pray. Don't try to force it on him or his kids. EDIT: I have to add that after reading a lot of the comments, I am concerned for your situation. A "real" Christian knows that the best way to show the love of God is through loving others, no matter what sins they may have committed. You can show those kids the love of God by the way you treat them and your brother-in-law. You can show everyone the love of God by doing your best to live every day as much like Jesus as possible. We should also remember that churches are run by man. While you can learn a lot from attending church, they are not free from sin and they are not the only place to learn about God. Trust in God. Trust that He has these children in His heart and will show Himself to them. You may feel it is your place to do this, but what if it isn't? What if God has other plans? Please pray about it and try not to let your emotions control the situation. Have trust in Him.
-
No, you should mind your own business. When you have children of your own, you can take THEM to church. Sorry if I sound nasty, but I really feel that it's incredibly rude and inappropriate for you to even entertain the thought of intervening in a situation like this.
-
You should respect others beliefs, however children do deserve to know the love of Christ. It is important for children to grow up with strong moral values. I can see the severity of your situation. I will pray so that you may find resolution.
-
I think you have their best interest in mind, however your brother in law may not appreciate your "intervening". You could ask him first and the kids after if he approves. If he is not cool about it then, you did what you could and the kids will decide for themselves when they are older.
-
You say 'Christians only' because you only want people to agree with you. For shame.
-
All u can really do is pray for him and the children. Pray that God open his heart and his eyes. God is amazing just remeber that i have seen people turn around completely that never would have. It was all God. Just pray and I will be praying with you also ok.
-
You can offer, and pray, but that is all you can do.
-
By "intervening" in the way you may be thinking, you may do more damage than good. Rather, intervene by simply being an example...being a good and loving person yourself, who will be more highly regarded by the children. Let God take care of the rest. [Just my opinion].
-
Ok, I understand that your intentions are good here. But if you had kids, How would you feel if your Brother in law was regularly explaining to them why he thinks theism and organized religion is mistaken and that there is no such thing as God, the supernatural, heaven etc... at a young age. I think the kids should be able to decide for themselves whether or not they go to church, but ultimately that's up to the parent.
-
Looks like your idea backfired... even some of the Christians here are telling you to mind your own business. I have to agree. These aren't your kids, and I'd say the most you can safely do without jeopardizing your relationship with your brother in law is just being yourself around his children. Let them see you pray, don't avoid talking about God when they're around, etc... If they're interested, they'll ask you about it. Forcing it on them against his will is only going to cause conflict in your family.
-
I think you should talk to your brother in law first, because just interveneing might cause a fight. You can ask him if you can take the kids to church with you, he may not object to that, but going behind his back and preaching to the kids and so forth may cause major problems.
-
No you should not intervene as they will be able to decide for themselves later on in life what they believe in. You should teach them about Christianity if you wish to other religions as well so that they are aware of them but ultimately it should be their choice and at the moment their parents choice whether or not they go to church or practice any religion.
-
No, they are not your children.
-
leave them alone or he might put a restraining order on you.
-
Please do. Then you can be arrested for kidnapping.
-
It's already been said, but: 1. These are not your children, so I'm not sure why you feel you have the right to do something that's clearly against their parents' will. 2. Children should not be brainwashed into any religion - they should be allowed to make their own choice about their beliefs as and when they're ready to.
-
What about your sister? What does she think? They aren't your kids. Love them, but don't dare take them them to church without their parent's permission. If your brother-in-law was a Scientologist, would you want him educating them behind your back? Nope. Then respect his rules.
-
If his wife isn't making an effort to take them, then it's not your place. You can say something, you can offer to take them if they will allow that, and then just drop it.
-
Trains, I'm not a Christian, so you can stop reading right now if you like, but I do think I can tell you something you may not have considered. I was raised Christian- Sunday school, church every week, Bible reading at home: my family was incredibly charismatic. And yet when I started to read more and think about it myself, I lost my faith. My indoctrination did nothing to keep me rooted in religion whatsoever. Whether your nieces and nephews are raised one way or another, it's ultimately going to be up to them to choose. If you really want to expose them to christ, I think it'd do you more good to wait until they were ready to talk about it. Being honest, open, and available could do more for your cause than bringing them to a service (kid tend not to find church very interesting anyway). I know it probably breaks your heart to see these children brought up without God, but if He is everything that people believe He is, I'm sure He'd understand.
-
it's not really your place to decide how the children should be raised. when they are older, they may decide to join a religion. if they do it will be their choice and not because they are being forced to. if you "intervened" you would be going agaisnt your brothers will. growing up without religion doesnt mean the children are growing up without morals. its their parents choice how they raise their children. let it be.
-
No. They're his kids not yours. He is the one that gets to decide how they are raised.
-
Trains, I think what Christ would have you do in this situation is pray for the parents.
-
No, it is not your place.
-
As a Christian, as difficult as it may be, you're obliged to respect his decision. This reminds me of the counsel offered in the Bible to Christian wives with unbelieving husbands. (1 Peter 3:1-2) In like manner, YOU wives, be in subjection to YOUR own husbands, in order that, if any are not obedient to the word, they may be won without a word through the conduct of [their] wives, 2 because of having been eyewitnesses of YOUR chaste conduct together with deep respect. As badly as a believer might want to try and persuade their mate,...to do so would be ignoring this principal. And, (as our creator knew), would ultimately backfire.
-
Let's follow this to it's logical conclusion. If you truly believe that the child's immortal soul is in danger of external damnation (what if they die between the ages of 7 and 18?) then that would be a crime worse than murder, which is only the physical body. If you truly believe that this is such a crime, then you should work to remove the Separation Clause from the Constitution and then institute mandatory Christian education. It does not matter that the child is your nephew.
-
I was raised a Catholic, but walked away from all of Christianity in my late teens and early adulthood. He found me again a few years later. That's how it works, I think. We open our minds and hearts to the idea of God and he comes in. Even if you dragged your neices and nephews to church (NOT saying you should, as a matter of fact - no you shouldn't. They are not your kids...how would you feel if he dragged your kids to a satanic church?), there is no way of knowing what they would get from it. If anything, they would get the idea that you and your brother in law are at war with one another, and start taking sides...and where would the love of Christ be shown there? So ultimately, pray for your brother in law and their kids...the rest is in God's hands, not yours.
-
(I'm not a Christian, but I'm shocked at your inquiry about whether trampling Christian beliefs in the name of Christ is okay, so answering anyway.) In the religious world, as a Christian, do you believe in "Honor thy father and thy mother"? If so, how dare you interfere with those children, to tell them NOT to honor their father's beliefs? Are you seriously thinking about encouraging the kids to break one of the Ten Commandments on your orders? In the secular world, you have no legal right to "intervene" and if you try to intervene in any other way, outside of the court system, your brother-in-law can (and in my opinion, should) get a restraining order against you for interfering with his relationship with his children.
-
How would you intervene?
-
I was raised Catholic. I'm now an atheist. Going to church as a child will not necessarily make one a Christian for life. Also, you have absolutely no say in how another person raises their children. How would you react if your brother-in-law took your children out of church so they could know the rationality of secular humanism?
-
Yes, for gods sake remove those kids from there home!!! Also you will need to preform a ritual to save their souls!!!
-
You could intervene, but the tension it could create and the possible loss of a brotherly relationship will teach your brother-in-law's children something other than the love of Christ. Trust that your thoughts, your love and prayers will touch their hearts and minds much deeper than a power struggle with your brother-in-law over how they should be raised.
-
As a Christian, let me just write this. It is not your place to interfere in the relationship between a parents and children. You must respect the right of the parent to raise the child as they see fit as long as they are not doing anything illegal. What you can do is set an example for all of them as to what a good Christian is. You can also pray for God to soften the heart of you brother-in-law. However, that is about all you have the right to do. _________________________ Addendum I just thought that I should add a little more to this. I spent time as a missionary for my own Church. As a missionary, we were not allowed to teach minors about our doctrine without the express permission of their parents. So, once again, it is not your place to try to undermine the relationship between a parent and his children.
-
No, there not your kids Since Christians say prayer works why don't you just pray instead of forcing a religion them.
-
Would you like your brother teaching your kids about atheism at an early age. His sperm. His call.
-
The love of Christ, or the half-Nelson style disapproval of their father, of 'Christ'? Intervene by praying for them, constantly, privately and from a distance, and by loving them all (like lepers or tax collectors if you want) actively, positively and right there. Please don't inject a sense of judgement at this stage because it will be perceived as YOUR judgement and you will be dismissed as, well, judgemental.
-
Heck no. At best, you’d be disobeying your brother-in-law’s wishes for his children and would almost indubitably damage that relationship. At worst, you could be helping them make covenants that they’ll become accountable for, despite being unable to keep. Of course you and I know that their lives would be better with Christ therein, but they’ll have their opportunity to accept Him. I know this situation requires a *lot* of patience, but do try to have some. Heavenly Father won’t hold those children accountable for their mortal father’s decision.
-
No. They are his children. As a Christian your responsibility is to pray not only for them to be saved, but also for your atheist brother in-law. God will answer you since it is his will for them all to come to salvation through Christ. Also God sees your intentions as doing well. Read 2 Chronicles 6:8
-
only if they are allowed to intervene and take your kid to Satan Camp. Mind your business
-
No
-
No, they are his children.
Glenn Blaylock RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC