(As seen in the bulletin February 10, 2019)

Another challenging question!  “Non-believers” can be of a great variety; some may take this term to mean those of non-Christian faiths (Judaism, Islam, Hindu, etc.) but I am not sure that calling those who believe differently than we should be called an “unbeliever” as they have an articulated religious structure and viewpoints from which their moral perspectives and behavior are directed; some may take this to mean those of Christian faith who differ with regard to some doctrines as well as practices and manners of prayer (Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, Pentecostals, and Nondenominational), but these are more properly understood to be believers with whom we have or had differences for various reasons over the years – I like to compare Christianity to a cherry pie, believing with all my heart that the Catholic Church is, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the complete pie, well-baked, deep and filled sweetly with good fruit; as regards the other Christian churches, they are also cherry pies, but maybe missing a slice or not as full (with less than the seven sacraments instituted by Christ, without an authentic devotion to Mary and the saints, missing seven books or parts of books in their Bibles, sans purgatory, etc.); we’re learning since Vatican Council II how to work together and come closer together in the unity Christ desired and prayed that His Church would experience; some may take this to mean those raised in a faith they no longer practice, but since there is a kind of faith that is known alone to God, I will not judge; some may take this to mean atheists who, for a variety of reasons, can’t find themselves able to reason their way into accepting the existence of God or what God’s like. 

The best way for our children to learn how to address varieties of unbelief is first to know our faith and what the Church teaches through those whose love brought them into being – their parents – along with support from others engaged and trusted by their parents – clergy, teachers, catechists, etc.  Acquaintance with what our Church teaches best begins at a very early age, through weekly family attendance at Mass, daily prayer in the home, information further, of course, always shared in an age-appropriate manner; there is a great difference between what teens, pre-pubescent and preschool children need to hear and want to discuss.  A good book for parents to help prepare kids to face today’s tough moral issues is MADE THIS WAY by Leila Miller (Catholic mom) and Trent Horn (Catholic  teacher) from Catholic Answers Press, 2018; orders placed by calling 1-888-291-8000 or at www.catholic.com - once kids know what we believe and why, they’re able to speak and listen respectfully to others and, when necessary, able to disagree without being disagreeable, maintaining a Catholic identity with politely firm consciences as a chaotic world attempts undue influence and deception.  Our kids will be able to talk with people of varieties of belief / unbelief without diluting their own faith in the process if they know theirs well and practice it in the way the Church  envisions.