18 year old son

[jamie26301]

Someone mentioned psychology. It's should be point out that the frontal lobe of the brain that is responsible with decisions is not fully developed until early adulthood, about 20 years old or so. Teens are more inclined to impulsive and dangerous decisions because they have an imbalance between hormones and clear thinking - they based their decisions on emotions almost entirely - I know I was like that.

That's also why the iron hand, "this is the way it is" is usually counterprpductive, even though it worked when they were they young. Arousing emotions by making them feel dumb is not going to help, usually. That kind of talk makes adults feel bad (the boss) but they have come to a point to restrain it because they are better decision makers now. Doesn't excuse behavior, but it can help one have a bit more compassion and understanding, I think.

Moms, if everyone should be understanding of those PMS days, then the same applies to teens, imo, because their attitudes have much to do with their changing bodies. And sure, there are many other factors... but biology is a big one.

 

[Pumicestone]

IMO The only reason for the existence of atheism is refusal to surrender one's autonomy........

And you are perfectly entitled to that opinion, Marc.
But I sense that in recent decades (or even centuries) as more sincere and genuine people became better educated, better informed about science, history, geography, astronomy and so on,
belief in the supernatural has become more and more difficult for them.

Not so much a question of "refusing to surrender" as simply being UNABLE to equate modern knowledge and experience with Noah's Ark, virgin birth, walking on water and all that stuff.

 

[jamie26301]

Not so much a question of "refusing to surrender" as simply being UNABLE to equate modern knowledge and experience with Noah's Ark, virgin birth, walking on water and all that stuff.

Which is why, imo, teaching that these are essential to faith in Jesus and God is counter-productive. I've done it before, aligned myself with the thought that people don't believe because they are stubborn or such.

But even though I haven't become even agnostic, I have educated myself more in sciences and philosophies and I find it hard to reconcile absolute doctrine with a God that absolutely loves and wants the rest of the world to be saved.

On one hand, you're told that if you don't understand it, you're not meant to and using human reason, not leaning on faith... then on the other hand, you see apologetic ministries dedicated to showing the faith is reasonable and logical. Like, which is it?

 

[jamie26301]

"We want to teach you an absolute God, with absolute morals and principals and stories. We also want to show you there are reasonable explanations for these stories, illustrated by science. However, being absolute, He is not absolutely reasonable or logical - just absolutely whatever we define as absolute."



I jest, but really, that is how it sounds to people who oppose the faith or rejects it. It sounds like double-talk, it would it sounds like.