As a parent, I want to protect my kids from those who would try to encourage them to believe things that are false, and behave in a way that I consider immoral. I think that’s what this father thought he was doing.

Unfortunately, he did it in an underhanded and authoritarian fashion, and his actions were aided by another who thought he could get away with the same type of behavior.

I have to put myself in that father’s position, and think what I might do if my son was given a religious book by one of his Jehovah’s Witnesses or Scientology friends. If my son was in high school, as this young man was, I’d discuss it with him (and probably not worry much, since by then he should be able to recognize nonsense when he sees it). If he were a bit younger, I’d read it with him, we’d discuss it, I’d present our family’s views, and have him return it.

Obviously, this father’s son is about to be an adult. When will this young man be deemed able to think for himself? Unless he intends to lock his boy in the basement, this dad better get used to the idea of his son making his own decisions.