What do you do if you're a devout Christian, and you have a child who is an off-the-chart genius?

Question

By the age of eight, the kid is reading college level texts, speaks six languages, is playing Beethoven, and can whip a Grandmaster's butt in chess. He has an intimate understanding of college biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, history, mathematics, and can recite supreme court legal precedents like other kids recite comic book characters.

Add to this the fact that he can out-debate a university debate team, and makes people leave the room when Jeopardy comes on.

Since he was four he's been convinced there is no god, and he thwarts every attempt made to teach him about Jesus. He sends Catechism teachers running from their rooms in tears, and leaves the priests at your local parish dumbstruck and bewildered. He laughs at all your stories about Jesus, the rapture, salvation, heaven and an afterlife, and informs you with vocabulary you can barely understand that your belief in such things is childish and immature.

Do you just throw up your arms, and let him be an amazing success?

Answer 1

I say your question is very wishful thinking like an 8 year old. Grow up, without your fairy tale.

Answer 2

Who convinced him there was no God? A truly wise person, even a young one,has the natural ability to understand that there is a God. What might be a stumbling block to some, would be the confusing ideas of Christendom's religious leaders, other man made religions, and the nonsense of the"we came from animals theory", otherwise, he would do really well. Romans 1: 20 through 23 - There are no excuses for thinking there is no God, the evidence is all around, seeing is believing. There is nothing unscientific about God.

Answer 3

First of all, I'd obviously feel very proud and blessed to have a child who is so intellectually gifted. And I have always maintained that if any of my kids believed something differently than I do, it makes them happy, its not dangerous, and they understand WHY they believe it (they aren't just going through a phase or bowing to peer pressure), I would certainly support them in following that path. After all, I don't hold the same religious beliefs as my parents, and they never expected me to.



Honestly, I would be more concerned with my child's obvious lack of tact and compassion in this situation than I would be with his disbelief in God. I wouldn't raise my child to feel that they should "talk down" to anyone simply because they feel they have an intellectual advantage over them.

Answer 4

I actually know several people who had kids that were "off the chart genius".



Most of them went to Catholic School received an excellent education, attended top universities and are living very successful lives. Some with God, some not. BUT none acted out like infantile idiots as you describe. Smart people don't do that.

Answer 5

As a devout Christian, I know that God will take care of my children, so I'd pray and have faith that He has already created a solution.....kids go through all sorts of things, and it's the parents' jobs to guide them...at the same time, EVERYBODY was once a child, and EVERYBODY was born in sin, and EVERY CHRISTIAN, CHOSE to be a Christian, so THERE IS NO FORCING.

Answer 6

Yes! Religion is a personal experience that you have. This child is obviously an old soul so your not going to change his mind. So maybe you should not force religion on him and offer it to him when( and if) he is ready. The true meaning of religion is to be a good and loving person. I bet he quailifies. Right?

Enjoy your faith and let him have his beliefs.

Answer 7

Of course. I'd much rather have a smart and intellectual child than one who sits around and plays video games all day. I want my children to be better than me. My only hope is that my child studies the Bible also. I want him/her to be open-minded and understand a lot about all religions and cultures.

It's such a shame that so many children only see the world for what they see on TV. I'd want my child to travel the world and read the literature of other cultures. My office is packed full of tons of literature. Even literature of those who I oppose. I'd be incredibly proud if my child could be like the child you describe (except also be well-read in religious studies).



p.s. Understanding the religious beliefs of other cultures is an amazing advantage while traveling. It has worked well for me. It is beneficial for every open-minded person out there.



p.s.s. The kids sounds a bit like me when I was a child. I, however, believed in God... and still caused priests and nuns a lot of frustration.

Answer 8

He's not that much of a genius then.



1 Corinthians 3:19

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God...

Answer 9

*yawn* This question is biased...



No, I don't throw up my arms, but I do let him/her be successful. Christianity doesn't require you to ransom your mind or thought life. Academic prowess is always a plus in the world; love the insulting undertone of this query. Good day to you sir/madam...

Answer 10

You throw up your arms to God and pray God would draw him to Himself.



You love him and continue to show him the gospel by the way you live.



You trust that someday he will turn to God, confess his sins, and find salvation in Christ.



You pray to God that He would protect him and not let him wind up like a lot of big heads - depressed and suicidal.



god bless

Answer 11

He is still eight years old...I believe you said...



And if you are his parent ...it is your job to shape, mold, guide and direct. It is your job to find his talents...which there appears to be many...and help him develop those areas in his life...He may be very intelligent..but he lacks the maturity to govern his own life....



Your job will be a difficult one....but you are responsible...

Answer 12

you cannot force anyone to believe, they have to make that choice on there own. That's what makes God just He allows us to make that choice. You set your son up with the foundation and just pray that he will and by his will believe. Read John10. I pray that it helps.

Answer 13

He can have amazing success, but you can still guide him is subtle ways so that when he is older his morals will be intact!

Answer 14

You shouldnt be trying to convince him in the first place, everyone has his own opinion.

Answer 15

the assumption there is that he wouldn't believe in God



what if an atheist had a genius child who was deeply religious?

Answer 16

send him to a ye oldy Irish catholic school and the nuns will beat Christianity into him

Answer 17

yes. he will find happiness through whatever he feels necessary. if he never finds happiness then the parents cannot control it. just let him be.

Answer 18

Fine line between genius and insanity. Maybe you should take him to a Bible believing church and pray about it. and if he miss-be-haves, spank him.

Answer 19

no you pray for him, and just ask God to help you with the situtation and pray for your son. and then have him read the bible. if he can read then give him the bible and have him read it

Answer 20

Nah. I'd have him locked away underground and feed him bread and water.

Answer 21

Love him, encourage him and pray for him

Answer 22

YES!!! Hes a genius!!! Why hold him back?

Answer 23

lol is this some fantasy you made up in your mind?



by the way, I don't like the insinuation you are making about the intelligence of Christians

Answer 24

what is everything in the world worth if you end up losing your soul?

Answer 25

pray he doesn't scientifically prove that god doesn't exist

Answer 26

leave him be, stop shoving religion down his throat

Answer 27

Listen to him. He is obviously smarter than you.

Answer 28

I become an Atheist :))

Answer 29

Get an exorcist in.

Answer 30

If I was a devout Christian, I'd stone him to death.

The Bible says I have to do it.

Answer 31

SUPRESS HIM.



... I was joking retards.