Follow
Share

Dad still prays but insists that there is no God. I don't know if he just wants somebody to prove or preach to him and convince him there is a God or what. I always tell him he is free to believe what he wants but that I still believe there is a God and always will. I am not a religious person and don't feel like I am the right person to preach or convince anybody that there is a God. I just know from my own experience that God has played a big part in my life. That is all I can tell my Dad. But he just goes on about how the bible is just a big lie or fairy tale made up by man. I know he is probably upset about our mother's (his wife's) death and that his health is failing where he needs to be cared for 24-7 and that might be a big part of his attitude. But I don't know what more to say other than he has a right to believe what he wants. And I will continue to believe in God and tell him the reasons why.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
Capn, I agree, especially for the large churches. They are more like businesses than churches. I never find God there. I find God when I'm outside in the evenings and mornings, and when I need comfort for what is going on in my life. I find God in all the animals around me, in the trees, the wind and the stars. And the moonlight can be awe inspiring.

I take my mother to church on Sunday, but it is more a social event, instead of a spiritual one. God to me seems to have left the building.
Helpful Answer (6)
Report

my mom taught sunday school for 40 years but in her last years hardly ever brought up the subject of god. i think her belief just changed to exclude all the ritual that church going amounts to. if i were god the sunday rituals would annoy me. . the real work is out in the community.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

He needs to develop his own relationship with God and work it out with Him. I've gotten more answers from God directly than through organized religion. I'm not knocking organizd religion but I do know that God works with people who have a sincere desire to get answers from Him. It may take awhile or you may get one right away. But it sounds to me that he needs to tell God his own feelings of anger, bitterness, etc. which is okay, God won't be shocked - He already knows. But your dad needs to open his heart to the truth if he really wants the truth. Otherwise, people who rail against God have to work this out.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

My Father is going to turn 89 in July of 2014. He also does not believe in God. My Mother is 89 now so I can not blame it on her death. Both parents have had multiple health problems since July of 2012. Me moving in with them, Mom moving in with my husband and myself. In and out of hospitals, rehabs etc. etc...
The more you help them the worse they treat you. Dad would not move in with us but would rather see me on the road for 4 hours a day to help him out. I think that you are doing the right thing by tell him he can believe in what he wants. You helped me by your posting that statement. Next time my Dad starts on me that is what I am going to say to him. THANKS!! The fact that your Dad keeps praying tells me that he really does believe in God. My Dad does not even pray. The way he treat my husband and me I believe he is a non-believer. Please don't let him affect your believes. We can all lose faith when we are caring for our parents. Thanks for posting.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

My mom suffers from depression. One major episode effected her belief system... not just her belief in God, but basic things we accept. I remember her asking me, "how do we know that men have been to the moon? How can mail get from here to there? After she got through that period of time, her mind started putting things together again, but she has never been quite the same. She was always a woman of strong faith. When dad died a few months ago, she questioned her belief in God once more. Waiting for bible promises to be fulfilled in her behalf is too much to bear. Parting from the love of her life has made her ask, what does she really believe. Will she really be reunited with him again? As humans we get through some major events, sickness, and the death of a loved one by placing our cares in God's hands. When that hope is missing, where can we turn? For mom, contact with friends and family is key. We try to be upbuilding and positive regardless of moms current beliefs. Isolation can be devastating, A simple car ride, fresh air and sunshine can do wonders to lift her mood and even bring her faith forward. We never argue about her faith or judge her. All reasoning humans question God's power in such times. Sometimes mom wants to talk about her beliefs and other times not. I go with her pace. Sometimes she will surprise me with a prayer. God has always been an important part of her life and my father held on to his faith to the very end, so I suppose it will continue to be a touchstone.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Tell him you respect the courage it took to admit that he does not believe in God. Most of religion is absolute garbage designed to manipulate the masses. I blame Christian TV for corrupting my mother's mind before she began to hallucinate.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

My father died 8 years ago and I know my mother was depressed but she has never set foot in church again. They raised us in a Christian home where we were in church every time the doors were open. Mom taught Sunday School, Training Union and Vacation Bible School as well as being a member of The Women's Missionary Union.

I cannot say that Mom has lost faith in God, I think her depression and the ensuing dementia just took all that away from her. We still say grace at every meal and sometimes I see her with her head down longer as though she is adding more to the prayer. She no longer reads her Bible but I think it is because she either makes no sense of it or because her memory is so short perhaps it makes no sense.

She made a statement one day however that surprised me. She said she was afraid to die. As Christians we were taught that we would go to heaven after death so I was taken back by her statement. All I know is that maybe someday if I live to be as old as her, I may feel afraid to die as well, I just don't know.

What I do know now is that there are days that are so difficult and trying that I wish God would take me, just so I can escape!
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

If he used to believe in God, but not now, but is still praying, what Higher Power is he praying to?

My guess says between the loss of his wife, your mother, his life partner, as well as his own aging infirmaties - now facing "alone", that he's despondent, depressed. I have an old family friend who has quoted her mother's aging, later in a SNF, and resorting back to her Spanish language saying "Why is God doing this to me?" - as to how that all powerful, all loving, all knowing God can turn a wonderful life into a miserable aloneness of aging. It sounds to me like your father needs to get involved in senior center contact & events - and depending what State he is in (at least in my state, Calif., we have a telephonic senior center without walls, for seniors that are shut-ins. I've seen it bring depressed, blind, home-bound seniors back to exuberant happiness.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Hi, Darvid, I'm sending some prayers (or good thoughts, whatever you want to call them) your way as you struggle with this situation.

I grew up in a fundamentalist home and have lots of questions regarding whether God exists. My parents and most of my family attend church, but I do not. However, I do not believe church attendance has anything to do with one's personal belief in God, nor is church attendance necessary for one's salvation.

I doubt you or anyone would be able to convince your dad that God exists, but he must have believed in God sometime in his life. I just know the Bible says the debt of our sins was paid through the blood of the Lamb. Maybe when your dad starts in about believing there is no God, you could just say "I love you, Dad" and change the subject.

If yourself are dealing with questions about what will happen to your father after his death, I would contact someone from your church or temple and ask for some support for yourself. Peace and good wishes.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Perhaps your dad would take comfort from a visit by the pastor of his local church. A knowledgeable and seasoned minister might help him with the questions and feelings he is having...If not the pastor, then another spiritual elder. ...or you might try reading to him each day from the Bible. ..If you do not know where to start, there are bible reading guides at Christian book stores.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

See All Answers
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter