(Natasha A;18193)
I don't know where I went wrong.
Well, I think"I have found books in his room such as The Origin of Species, Evolution and the Myth of Creationism, Letter to a Christian Nation, God: The Failed Hypothesis, and the God Delusion."has something to do with it. As his spiritual leader, you have failed to moniter what went into your son's mind, not to mention failing to put in the right stuff to counteract it the whole time in the first place. Humans are inherently evil: if you leave them to their devices, they will leave God before following Him, 9 times out of 10.
About a week ago my child told me that he was atheist and that he did not believe in God. I told him not to say such things and that he was just confused. He's 17 and has been going to church every Sunday since his early childhood. He's never shown any disbelief before. He told me that he no longer wishes to attend church because it's a waste of his time which he would rather spend reading. I've told him that if he continues to deny the Holy Spirit he might not get into the Kingdom of Heaven. He just looks at me and says "Mom, there is no Heaven to get into." I can't understand his disbelief. I have done everything I can to raise him right, and I don't want to lose him to the devil. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do, or what you would do in my situation?
You've let him grow into his own devices by letting his intellect run wild with what he indulged in his reading. I don't know how much good it'll do now that he's 17, but by principle you must ban such material from your house, and learn to discuss with him as a young adult with his own separate ideas. Yes, you must also pray for him and the like, but God acts when WE have done OUR part to do His will. He is no longer "your child" since he can now refuse to obey you in this area: you must now treat him like an adult with a developing mind, seeking understanding (which you have neglected). In his mind, he is an adult: threatening him with "you may not get into heaven" when he doesn't believe it holds as much clout now as "If you don't eat your vegetables, I'm going to give you time out". You must engage him.