How do I respond to my skeptic daughter?

[DiscipleA]

Doesn't matter if she thinks she is born again in a ritualistic sense if her personality and way of life doesn't show it.

Romans 2
28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

 

[throughfaith]

Doesn't matter if she thinks she is born again in a ritualistic sense if her personality and way of life doesn't show it.

Romans 2
28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

what if she is going through a rough time ?

 

[DiscipleA]

what if she is going through a rough time ?

You probably gonna want to know more than that. Talk to her about it. Get a better idea of what's bothering her. We're all going through a rough time.

2 corinthians 2
6 The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. 7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.

 

[WithinReason]

I have a 20 year old daughter in college who over the last 5 years has steadily drifted away from Christianity. It began when she was told by a youth group leader that gay people go to hell. She has many gay friends and was very upset. She’s heard so many horror stories of churches and Christians disowning kids if they were gay or insisting on some type of conversion therapy. I must admit some of these stories are horrible and several led to suicide. As time went on she became exposed to all kinds of anti Christian rants on social media...mocking the Bible, saying its a book of fairy tales that condones slavery, genocide and oppression of women. Also she questions how we know the Bible is truly the word of God? They were written by men and the books that got in were chosen by men. She is also really upset by the behavior of Some Trump evangelical supporters...she thinks they are gullible, anti science, defiant and ignorant. Sadly she has shown me videos of Christians being horrible like the ones who harass gay people and are racist. She’s been really diving into science and history and is shocked by some of the atrocities done in the name of Christianity. All of this really makes her question her faith. I’m familiar with all the great apologists and have read many apologetics books but honestly they are either too complicated or not that convincing. My question is how can I respond as simply as possible as to why Christianity is truthful and logical and not just another recycled religion? Why believing in Jesus is logical and he was divine. I feel like I have to justify why I am a Christian with something more than it’s my faith. It’s very tough with this generation of young people! They are exposed to everything. The atheist community is very prominent in social media and their goal is to deconvert Christians.I don’t want her to fully walk away from Christianity. She hasn’t yet but definetly has doubts. I know this is a lot to ask but I wonder if anyone has advice for me. Looking forward to your replies. Thank you!

I want to talk with her.

There are several major underlying issues.

1. college (if secular, or even 'religious' these days) is one of the great destroyers of faith, evolutionism, uniformitarianism, darwinism, spiritualism, &c.​

2. bad examples of what Christianity is, and then believing that is what Christianity is​

3. a misunderstanding of God, and His judgements upon sin (all are sinners, some worse than others, and homosexuality is an unnatural sin (Romans 1, &c), compared to lying a natural sin, but if any sin is finally unrepented of, that person, homosexual or not, will not enter Heaven; the world was already condemned, and Jesus came to save as many who would accept)​

4. apologetics (mostly philosophy of Greeks these days) reaches logic, not necessarily the heart (emotional, empathetic aspects)​

5. political Christianity (or Catholiciity) and involvment with Trump, &c. Zealots in the days of Jesus. They sought "change" through political maneuvers, action. It will never work, and will grieviously backfire (soon as prophetic time goes).​

6. Her age, 20, which is at a cross-roads, which she begins to believe she knows more about things in the working out of life than she actually does. In other words inexperienced in things Christian, and things worldly.​

7. Social Media, like the Serpent will show her all kinds of things (like looking through a filtered lens), and she needs to return to the Source material itself, the Bible, in what it says for itself. Let go of the hearsay, and ask what "does it" say.​

​

If she does not turn around, she will be (not might be), lost - forever. It is ultimately her choice.

 

[garee]

I have a 20 year old daughter in college who over the last 5 years has steadily drifted away from Christianity. It began when she was told by a youth group leader that gay people go to hell. She has many gay friends and was very upset. She’s heard so many horror stories of churches and Christians disowning kids if they were gay or insisting on some type of conversion therapy. I must admit some of these stories are horrible and several led to suicide. As time went on she became exposed to all kinds of anti Christian rants on social media...mocking the Bible, saying its a book of fairy tales that condones slavery, genocide and oppression of women. Also she questions how we know the Bible is truly the word of God? They were written by men and the books that got in were chosen by men. She is also really upset by the behavior of Some Trump evangelical supporters...she thinks they are gullible, anti science, defiant and ignorant. Sadly she has shown me videos of Christians being horrible like the ones who harass gay people and are racist. She’s been really diving into science and history and is shocked by some of the atrocities done in the name of Christianity. All of this really makes her question her faith. I’m familiar with all the great apologists and have read many apologetics books but honestly they are either too complicated or not that convincing. My question is how can I respond as simply as possible as to why Christianity is truthful and logical and not just another recycled religion? Why believing in Jesus is logical and he was divine. I feel like I have to justify why I am a Christian with something more than it’s my faith. It’s very tough with this generation of young people! They are exposed to everything. The atheist community is very prominent in social media and their goal is to deconvert Christians.I don’t want her to fully walk away from Christianity. She hasn’t yet but definetly has doubts. I know this is a lot to ask but I wonder if anyone has advice for me. Looking forward to your replies. Thank you!

You could be doing all that is required .Just as we can plant the seed and water it with the doctrines of God. God causes the growth if any . Its prayer and fasting or sufferings with those who surfer . By requesting strength in your anxiety it would seem continue to do so speak to her as as believer and friend God can strengthen her in her decision making . It is extremely difficult in this day and age to find faith to make a difference. Faith matters . Keep it up.

 

[soggykitten]

I have a 20 year old daughter in college who over the last 5 years has steadily drifted away from Christianity. It began when she was told by a youth group leader that gay people go to hell. She has many gay friends and was very upset. She’s heard so many horror stories of churches and Christians disowning kids if they were gay or insisting on some type of conversion therapy. I must admit some of these stories are horrible and several led to suicide. As time went on she became exposed to all kinds of anti Christian rants on social media...mocking the Bible, saying its a book of fairy tales that condones slavery, genocide and oppression of women. Also she questions how we know the Bible is truly the word of God? They were written by men and the books that got in were chosen by men. She is also really upset by the behavior of Some Trump evangelical supporters...she thinks they are gullible, anti science, defiant and ignorant. Sadly she has shown me videos of Christians being horrible like the ones who harass gay people and are racist. She’s been really diving into science and history and is shocked by some of the atrocities done in the name of Christianity. All of this really makes her question her faith. I’m familiar with all the great apologists and have read many apologetics books but honestly they are either too complicated or not that convincing. My question is how can I respond as simply as possible as to why Christianity is truthful and logical and not just another recycled religion? Why believing in Jesus is logical and he was divine. I feel like I have to justify why I am a Christian with something more than it’s my faith. It’s very tough with this generation of young people! They are exposed to everything. The atheist community is very prominent in social media and their goal is to deconvert Christians.I don’t want her to fully walk away from Christianity. She hasn’t yet but definetly has doubts. I know this is a lot to ask but I wonder if anyone has advice for me. Looking forward to your replies. Thank you!

Is your daughter gay maybe? And she just hasn't told you? It seems rather extreme that she'd go this far being merely upset about what she perceives as the so called clobber verses in the Bible concerning sexual immorality, and the relationship of those verses to her gay friends.

If she's shocked by the atrocities done in the name of Christianity you might seek to challenge her on that if she imagines Christianity is the only community with a history of such. Challenge her to seek to research the atrocities committed by atheists in the name of their political ideology. Like Communism, for example. Stalin was raised in the Orthodox church and even served the church as a child. Then he turned atheist.

Or challenge her to research the civil rights offenses the LGBTQ groups, particularly GLAAD, have committed against Christians through their intolerance of our religious liberties and beliefs, since the 2015 decision in the case Obergefell v. Hodges.

Ask her to perhaps, as part of that challenge, to look to the anti-Christian tax exempt organization known as Freedom From Religion Foundation. Founded by an atheist formerly a Fundamentalist Christian, and look to the civil liberties that group has attacked as pertains to Christians exclusively. And in concert with the ACLU, an organization that was originally founded and grounded in Communist principles.

If she believes the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, challenge her to take a sober strong look at that other side of the fence when she thinks Christianity is the bad guy here.

Aside from that, she's 20 years old. It's her choice. Just because someone is raised by good people in a Christian family doesn't mean the truth of the words of God resonate as truth to them. This is NOT your responsibility nor fault. At 20 years of age she is accountable for her choices.
All you can do, aside from perhaps considering my suggestions, is pray for her. If she is God's he knows her and she is eternally his.

God be with you as you endure this heartbreak I cannot imagine. (hugs you)
Praying

 

[Anthony27]

Why don't you get her to become a leader on this. To cancel out all the things that Christians shouldn't as to judge others and to say that this person going here or that person going there when we aren't the one to judge others. We are hear to spread the word to other and not judge. Re her that us Christians are the light and have to continue showing love and not hate. To stay sticking with showing love to others and continue to believe that God knows everything, not men.

 

[Heal103]

Is your daughter gay maybe? And she just hasn't told you? It seems rather extreme that she'd go this far being merely upset about what she perceives as the so called clobber verses in the Bible concerning sexual immorality, and the relationship of those verses to her gay friends.

If she's shocked by the atrocities done in the name of Christianity you might seek to challenge her on that if she imagines Christianity is the only community with a history of such. Challenge her to seek to research the atrocities committed by atheists in the name of their political ideology. Like Communism, for example. Stalin was raised in the Orthodox church and even served the church as a child. Then he turned atheist.

Or challenge her to research the civil rights offenses the LGBTQ groups, particularly GLAAD, have committed against Christians through their intolerance of our religious liberties and beliefs, since the 2015 decision in the case Obergefell v. Hodges.

Ask her to perhaps, as part of that challenge, to look to the anti-Christian tax exempt organization known as Freedom From Religion Foundation. Founded by an atheist formerly a Fundamentalist Christian, and look to the civil liberties that group has attacked as pertains to Christians exclusively. And in concert with the ACLU, an organization that was originally founded and grounded in Communist principles.

If she believes the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, challenge her to take a sober strong look at that other side of the fence when she thinks Christianity is the bad guy here.

Aside from that, she's 20 years old. It's her choice. Just because someone is raised by good people in a Christian family doesn't mean the truth of the words of God resonate as truth to them. This is NOT your responsibility nor fault. At 20 years of age she is accountable for her choices.
All you can do, aside from perhaps considering my suggestions, is pray for her. If she is God's he knows her and she is eternally his.

God be with you as you endure this heartbreak I cannot imagine. (hugs you)
Praying

No she is definitely not gay. Just a strong ally of lgbt. She is very much a girly girl and has a serious boyfriend. Thanks for the advice. I know it isn’t my responsibility but it breaks my heart to see her abandon her faith. She used to be such a strong Christian when she was young. Now she feels she is more educated on the history of Christianity that Ancient Egyptian Religion was almost identical to Christianity. and she’s angry about the way gay teens are rejected by the church and told they have to conversion camps. It is really sad the way these kids are treated. i know lgbt has harassed churches and Christians too but no where near what Christians do and say to them

 

[soggykitten]

No she is definitely not gay. Just a strong ally of lgbt. She is very much a girly girl and has a serious boyfriend. Thanks for the advice. I know it isn’t my responsibility but it breaks my heart to see her abandon her faith. She used to be such a strong Christian when she was young. Now she feels she is more educated on the history of Christianity that Ancient Egyptian Religion was almost identical to Christianity. and she’s angry about the way gay teens are rejected by the church and told they have to conversion camps. It is really sad the way these kids are treated. i know lgbt has harassed churches and Christians too but no where near what Christians do and say to them

Thank you. I would say not all churches insist a potential gay parishioner attend conversion camps.

If she will you might ask your daughter to watch these videos.

This is newer than the one of 6 years ago. It's a riot, IMO.

They're excellent IMO. And they refute the idea that Christianity is a reworking of Egyptian religious practices. Especially since the ancient Egyptians were polytheists. Unlike Christianity. Though there are those, and I've met and spoken with them, that believe Christianity is a polytheistic faith due to the Trinity or Triune, doctrine.

You might tell your daughter that while it is deplorable any Christian would be condescending and outright rude to gays, the fact is being gay is not a sin in our faith.
Acting on that sexually immoral behavior is sin.
Also, there are Christian denominations now that have decreed they accept Homosexuals into their church.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominational_positions_on_homosexuality

They even permit them to hold offices and perform gay marriage ceremonies. One can presume these are sexually active gays. This in our faith is termed, Apostasy.
All sexually immoral acts are sin. This pertains to anyone, not just gays.

Lastly, you might gently inform your daughter that her opinion of churches due to their ascribing to Christian Biblical values, is no less intolerance and discriminatory as to that she dislikes as pertains to what she believes are those Christians showing intolerance for gays. You might also wish to look it up for her consideration in the reading of that reporting that shows many in the LGBTQ community are wholly intolerant of Christians.

It is inconsistent to be upset to the point of abandoning one's faith due to Christian values against sexually immoral sins, and in the coarse of that intolerance, be one who is intolerant of Christianity and Christians that ascribe to the Bible's position on sexual immorality.
As a Christian she should remember that there are a great many things that are considered sins. The unrepentant sinner is doomed to Hell. What value is it in a friendship to let ones gay friends perish in their own sins because those friends don't wish to be called a sinner who sins.

I hope you reach your daughter.

 

[soggykitten]

I wanted to add with regard to LGBTQ intolerance, that the death threats, acts of vandalism, against Christian business owners who offer services to straight weddings is one example. The other is the years long harassment of the food chain Chick-fil-A . Just two examples.

Even after Chick-fil-A announced when the contract expired for their donations to Christian affiliated charities due to the upset the Christian faith affords in gays, Chick-fil-A was founded by a Christian family, a member of GLAAD when asked if that would cause them to cease their harassment of the food chain, here and overseas, responded and said, no, they're going to go even harder in their harassment campaign.

 

[Heal103]

Thank you. I would say not all churches insist a potential gay parishioner attend conversion camps.

If she will you might ask your daughter to watch these videos.

This is newer than the one of 6 years ago. It's a riot, IMO.

They're excellent IMO. And they refute the idea that Christianity is a reworking of Egyptian religious practices. Especially since the ancient Egyptians were polytheists. Unlike Christianity. Though there are those, and I've met and spoken with them, that believe Christianity is a polytheistic faith due to the Trinity or Triune, doctrine.

You might tell your daughter that while it is deplorable any Christian would be condescending and outright rude to gays, the fact is being gay is not a sin in our faith.
Acting on that sexually immoral behavior is sin.
Also, there are Christian denominations now that have decreed they accept Homosexuals into their church.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominational_positions_on_homosexuality

They even permit them to hold offices and perform gay marriage ceremonies. One can presume these are sexually active gays. This in our faith is termed, Apostasy.
All sexually immoral acts are sin. This pertains to anyone, not just gays.

Lastly, you might gently inform your daughter that her opinion of churches due to their ascribing to Christian Biblical values, is no less intolerance and discriminatory as to that she dislikes as pertains to what she believes are those Christians showing intolerance for gays. You might also wish to look it up for her consideration in the reading of that reporting that shows many in the LGBTQ community are wholly intolerant of Christians.

It is inconsistent to be upset to the point of abandoning one's faith due to Christian values against sexually immoral sins, and in the coarse of that intolerance, be one who is intolerant of Christianity and Christians that ascribe to the Bible's position on sexual immorality.
As a Christian she should remember that there are a great many things that are considered sins. The unrepentant sinner is doomed to Hell. What value is it in a friendship to let ones gay friends perish in their own sins because those friends don't wish to be called a sinner who sins.

I hope you reach your daughter.

Thanks, I’ll watch these

 

[throughfaith]

You probably gonna want to know more than that. Talk to her about it. Get a better idea of what's bothering her. We're all going through a rough time.

2 corinthians 2
6 The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. 7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.

Thats kinda what I meant .

 

[pottersclay]

I have a 20 year old daughter in college who over the last 5 years has steadily drifted away from Christianity. It began when she was told by a youth group leader that gay people go to hell. She has many gay friends and was very upset. She’s heard so many horror stories of churches and Christians disowning kids if they were gay or insisting on some type of conversion therapy. I must admit some of these stories are horrible and several led to suicide. As time went on she became exposed to all kinds of anti Christian rants on social media...mocking the Bible, saying its a book of fairy tales that condones slavery, genocide and oppression of women. Also she questions how we know the Bible is truly the word of God? They were written by men and the books that got in were chosen by men. She is also really upset by the behavior of Some Trump evangelical supporters...she thinks they are gullible, anti science, defiant and ignorant. Sadly she has shown me videos of Christians being horrible like the ones who harass gay people and are racist. She’s been really diving into science and history and is shocked by some of the atrocities done in the name of Christianity. All of this really makes her question her faith. I’m familiar with all the great apologists and have read many apologetics books but honestly they are either too complicated or not that convincing. My question is how can I respond as simply as possible as to why Christianity is truthful and logical and not just another recycled religion? Why believing in Jesus is logical and he was divine. I feel like I have to justify why I am a Christian with something more than it’s my faith. It’s very tough with this generation of young people! They are exposed to everything. The atheist community is very prominent in social media and their goal is to deconvert Christians.I don’t want her to fully walk away from Christianity. She hasn’t yet but definetly has doubts. I know this is a lot to ask but I wonder if anyone has advice for me. Looking forward to your replies. Thank you!

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

First of all lets believe the Lord for this.😉😉😉

Second the Lord is bigger than the opposition. Then again the Lord does test us from time to time.
Perhaps you might remind her of that?
Paul says we must examine ourselves, David prayed for the Lord to search his heart.
The influences social media has along with unregenerated souls can be overwhelming and quite convincing.
Was she sheltered from this before she went to college?
The truth of the matter with her gay friends are also numbered with adulterers, liers, murderers, ECT.
Some preachers over do it with the abomination word used in the old testament singling it out as a worse sin.
Remind her that no sinner shall enter the kingdom. All sin can be forgiven except for blasphemy..
Keeping you in thoughts and prayers trust in the Lord with all of your heart ,lean not to your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways and he shall direct your path.

 

[lastofall]

[for me anyway] it is a matter of righteousness never has to justify itself, but sin always wants to: it is every person according as they purpose it in their heart; they who are of God hear God's Word, and they who are not of God do not hear His Word, but instead listen to the world. We can only wish with God that none would perish, but that they would rather come to repentance.

 

[bojack]

Show her this little 2 yr old girl and tell her ''you can't learn this in college but you can lose it there if you're not careful''

 

[karuna]

I have some suggestions.
- Ask her to read the New Testament focusing on the the Gospels. Ask her to search for answers to all her questions in the gospels.
- Point out to her that she should focus on Jesus Christ more than on those who claim be followers of Jesus. Find out what Jesus has to say about all her questions.
- You yourselves do the above two.
- Submit her to the hands of Jesus Christ - her heavenly father. He will do a better job of keeping her faith that you can.

 

[soberxp]

Sometimes it's hard to believe with words. Use pictures to explain everything

http://www.earlywritings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7072

 

[Duskey]

I have a 20 year old daughter in college who over the last 5 years has steadily drifted away from Christianity. It began when she was told by a youth group leader that gay people go to hell.

Your daughter’s response is what happens when people such as this youth group leader focus on God’s wrath rather than His love and saving grace in Jesus Christ.

Reassure your daughter of God’s love for His entire creation and that His grace is sufficient for His entire creation.

 

[soberxp]

Sometimes it's hard to believe with words. Use pictures to explain everything

http://www.earlywritings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7072

1-Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1-Thessalonians 3:12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

It's good that your daughter has a love heart and
A compassionate heart

IMO, Homosexuality is considered wrong in the Bible because
God set up marriage to let people understand the meaning of life, only men and women can have children to understand and clearly.
Only by experiencing the birth of children can be regarded as a part of learning the meaning of life.
Homosexuality can not have baby,If we say that they can adopt children, after all, they are not birth by theirselves. Who knows what will happen.There must be something missing as nomal.

I can understand your mood, because I often meet people like that.(As time went on she became exposed to all kinds of anti Christian rants on social media...mocking the Bible, saying its a book of fairy tales that condones slavery, genocide and oppression of women.)

It's not your daughter's fault, it's Christians embracing dogma instead of a lover's heart

 

[soberxp]

P.S It's not your daughter's fault, it's Christians embracing dogma instead of a lover's heart as What the scribes and the Pharisees did