Title/Topic:	My Son Does Not Believe in God..
Started on:	10/04/2004
Latest Update:	10/04/2004
Version:	First Draft
Category:	BLURB -  (This means off the cuff writing.. what ever comes to my head with no revisions)
Disclaimer:	The thoughts and opinions expressed in this material represents the authors view on this topic. The authors purpose in witting on this topic fundamentally to help elaborate on topics of interest. For the most part these are written "off the cuff" with limited research of data to back up this view. The intent in sharing this material is solely to stimulate thought around the topic being addressed. Finally, there is no intention on behalf of this author to establish or ascertain any "absolute truths" with this material.
Synopsis:	Thoughts, reaction on my almost 13 year olds claim not to believe in God.
The Essay:
Driving back to the city from our country home with my son Charles (almost 13 now) whom is an exuberant young man but swamped with various difficulties .... It may well be that he has a problem focusing .. but this is yet another topic. In the end Charles has a very strong character and is inherently happy... no matter what difficulties he encounters, how much can one argue with such pure complacent contentment? .. back to the drive to the city.. I mentioned to Charles in passing that he needed to search out God to find some guidance... his response was that he did not believe in God and that he only believed in tangible things.. to his credit he continued to ramble on about the theory of the universe (big bang) and how the theory of God just generating the earth as taught by Christianity is invalid.. he mentioned how bad things happen and how futile it may be for men to seek out help from God in these trying times.... I tried to explain to him that he was right about all of that but in the end nobody can explain or justify the miracle of life that we live every moment... I told him, he needed to decide how to stand on all of this.. I told he needed to search out a reason.. to sincerely seek the truth and (which I believe is the same thing as seeking out God).. I said that I believe he will discover things down that path that would help him decide. Of course I truly believe this ....from my own experience. I told him to not seek out the truth or God will be fine but it will result in being "on your own" ... if he seeks out God I am certain that he will find answers and will be helped...but if he didn't he needs to be cognoscente that he will be "on his own" ... the bottom line is why not give it a chance? I do believe that to seek out the truth is to seek out God.. one can determine how to interpret this as he likes. It translates to simpler things than one may expect. It means having respect and love for the gift of life: Showing respect and consideration for others Treating our own bodies with respect and dedication - which means eating right and taking care of our bodies.. this is perhaps the only thing we can rightfully claim ours!, and yet we abuse and ignore it!? Not being lazy but continuing to "make every day count" by acknowledging the great gift of life and doing something positive with it! To meet the challenges of disappointment, pain and suffering and to continue to strive for goodness. I am loosing more and more hope for mankind as we continue to show contempt and abuse the gift of life, to ignore the well being of our bodies and even our planet in favor of short term prizes ... to ignore the brotherhood of mankind and to create more and more levels of division that we can readily refer to, such that we justify our egotistical actions. We do not need to make absurd claims that we are all equal ... we know that this is not true... but perhaps if we all dilegently would seek out the truth (or God) we will learn to see not what makes us different but the things that we have in common .. we can allow each individual to evolve and strive for their own realization without competition or casting judgment.  We can perhaps create a world that strives for peace for the well being of mankind and our planet.  We can live without fear and suspicion of those around us, we can live not only with hope with the security that our children will be living in and contributing to a better world.    I am no longer afraid of death, I have been blessed and am grateful .. I am afraid to leave my children in a world of stife and hatred... Lets strive for peace and hope.