My college senior told me today that he is at least agnostic, though not quite an atheist. This opinion was solidified by his courses in the hard sciences , writings from prominent scientists, etc.

My heart is breaking.

Another soul who lost the faith in college. When will Catholics realize that most modern schools and colleges are satanist indoctrination camps which exist for the main reason of bringing souls to hell? Remember when you send you children to school that the main goal is to win your children's souls for satan.

college does not make people atheist, people make people atheist.

some people will just never believe in god. even in the 1950s with filled-to-the-brim parishes, there were atheists there faking it for the crowd. that's probably a good 25% of the United States.

I am very sorry to hear this.  Your experience underlines the absolute duty of parents to truly teach their children the True Catholic Faith.

During my 17 years (so far) of homeschooling, I have often told my children that, based on the statistics, it is likely that at least one of my children will ultimately reject the faith.  They may just lose the faith or they may decide to marry outside the faith and will apostatize in the name of family harmony, or something else.  But I have also made it absolutely clear that when they arrive at their particular judgment they will not be able to accuse their parents for not teaching them the truths of the Faith.  I have told them that if I am to be condemned it will be for my own sins and not for theirs.

Please make a special devotion to Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine.

Saint Monica, pray for us.

Here's some practical advice. Chesterton is witty, but I don't think he has the power to smash through the skull of a thick-headed liberal puffed up on scientism.

Check out "The Last Superstition" by Feser, but also check out Wolfgang Smith:

"Wolfgang Smith graduated from Cornell University at age eighteen with majors in physics, philosophy, and mathematics. After taking an M.S. in physics at Purdue he pursued research in aerodynamics, where his papers on diffusion fields have provided the theoretical key to the solution of the re-entry problem for space flight. After receiving a Ph.D. in mathematics from Columbia University, Dr. Smith held faculty positions at M.I.T., U.C.L.A., and Oregon State University, where he served as Professor of Mathematics until his retirement in 1992. In addition to numerous technical publications (relating to differential topology), Dr. Smith has published three previous books and many articles dealing with foundational and interdisciplinary problems. He has been especially concerned to unmask conceptions of a scientistic kind widely accepted today as scientific truths".

Here are some titles (all available on Amazon): "Cosmos and Transcendence: Breaking Through the Barrier of Scientistic Belief", "Ancient Wisdom and Modern Misconceptions: A Critique of Contemporary Scientism", "The Quantum Enigma: Finding the Hidden Key".

Be warned, this is not light reading. You will not understand it if you don't have either a solid foundation in philosophy or mathematics, ideally both.

Every time someone uses "science" to justify their unbelief, it's a sure sign they don't know what the heck they're talking about.

TKGS:  I totally agree.  We homeschooled our children who are now age 30-40. One left the faith and after being burnt "as they say", she is seeing the light after 16 years of her own will.  

We said the same to our children, "You have to face your Maker!" "and so do we".

I as Mother told them, "Once a mother always a mother."  That means if you are out of line your not to old to be told.  Age 18 means nothing.

Some may think that there might be too much religion instilled, and I think never.  Some may think you will scare the children away to the world, and I say not.  

I will do my duty even after I die, If God Wills!

I find that it is a desire to commit grievous sin and enjoy the sensual world that causes abandonment of the faith.

Quote from: nctradcath

I find that it is a desire to commit grievous sin and enjoy the sensual world that causes abandonment of the faith.

most atheists and agnostics I've met were very moral people

ones faith does not determine your morality, it merely dictates what it is

In my experience the atheists and agnostics I know are sɛҳuąƖ perverts who have abortions and abuse alcohol and illegal narcotics. Sure they do not kill people (except for their abortions) but they are not "moral people".