Creationism museum to be protested...

[Ariel Mae]

We are still to guide them. It is too important not to. Ultimately, yes, it will be up to them.

Guiding, this I can agree with, but forcing them into something that is not theirs or that they don't want to do...not so much. "Bobby, you're going to be raised as a Christian." "But, mom, I don't believe in God!" "Too bad. Live with it."

I don't want that for my kids.

I want, "Bobby, here's a book on all the main religions of the world. Here's some information on the lesser religions. And if you have any further questions on mommy's religion, or daddy's religion, or the religion of our ancestors, don't hesitate to ask. Remember, the path that your feet fall upon is the one that belongs to you."

No, not blindly obediant. If they see God's love thru His Word and their parents, I believe turning to Christianty will be something that most children will willingly embrace.

But, in the end, aren't they seeing it, not through their eyes, but their parents? They're seeing it as their parents would, not as they would. They can't willingly embrace something they're being blindly forced into.

 

[Ariel Mae]

sorry, but to guide them - in my mind - is to present them with ALL the information they need so they can truly decide what is right in their hearts.

to present them with only one option is more akin to controlling or forcing them along one narrow path. They can't say they know what is right in their own heart - if they have only known one way and have no true choice: is it really what they feel in their heart or is it all they know?


DD will have knowledge of all religions, beliefs, choices - when she is an adult then she can decide what she knows to be the answer in her heart.

Best said! *applauds*

 

[dcentity2000]

Guiding, this I can agree with, but forcing them into something that is not theirs or that they don't want to do...not so much. "Bobby, you're going to be raised as a Christian." "But, mom, I don't believe in God!" "Too bad. Live with it."

I don't want that for my kids.

The thing is, if a child is pushed however gently into one particular religion, he or she may grow up to pay lip service to that particular deity without truly believing it. They may also be too set in their ways to challenge their core beliefs (a common cognitive process and/or distortion).



Rich::

 

[meandtheguys2]

I think we owe it to our children to share our entire culture, including our religion with them. To do less is flaky at best. Now, if you choose not to have a religion, that is also their birthright. My children know about other religions, but they practice Christianity.

Young children thrive with boundaries and stability. Traditions build memories. As a child matures, they naturally question and make their own choices. And as adults, we all make our own choices.

Flakiness is not an asset for parents.

 

[Ariel Mae]

The thing is, if a child is pushed however gently into one particular religion, he or she may grow up to pay lip service to that particular deity without truly believing it. They may also be too set in their ways to challenge their core beliefs (a common cognitive process and/or distortion).

But if they're 'guided', as Joe puts it, into not just one but all or many, I see not negation, but far more possibility in the child finding their Truth.

Now, if you choose not to have a religion, that is also their birthright. My children know about other religions, but they practice Christianity.

Wait, a child's born into religion? He/She comes out with a religion? Now, that I did not know!

As a child matures, they naturally question and make their own choices. And as adults, we all make our own choices.

Except, you have those 'brain-washed' children/teens/adults that, when asked why they believe something, all they can come up with is, "Well, my mom and dad...". How is that anything but regurgitation? That's not faith, that's 'bobby jumped off a cliff, so I followed!' (bad comparision, I know.) Not all children know to question what they are raised in. I mean, say you're raised into a Jewish household. That's it. That is what you are used to. Why would you question what you've been raised in for years? If it's comfortable to you, why question it? You may not know why, but it's comfortable. But if you're raised into a family that is open and shows you the world, you have every reason to question, every reason to go out and stumble upon the grasses of the earth.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I think we owe it to our children to share our entire culture, including our religion with them. To do less is flaky at best. Now, if you choose not to have a religion, that is also their birthright. My children know about other religions, but they practice Christianity.

Young children thrive with boundaries and stability. Traditions build memories. As a child matures, they naturally question and make their own choices. And as adults, we all make our own choices.

Flakiness is not an asset for parents.

are you saying that if children do not practice a particular religion that they do not have boundaries, stability, or traditions?

 

[Ariel Mae]

I think we owe it to our children to share our entire culture, including our religion with them. To do less is flaky at best.

Sharing our heritage/culture/religion/life is far different than saying, "Baby, this you, this is how it's going to be, end of." It's saying, "Baby, this is our family. This is your roots. This is how things were, and how things can be, if you wish it. If likewise, you'll be creating your own tradition, to carry on, or to share, with future generations."

 

[meandtheguys2]

Not sharing my religion with my family would be like not sharing my love of cats, or of disney. Handing them a travel book with all of the amusement parks in it, and telling them to read it, and decide which they like best.

I share all of my passions with my children. Religion, family, disney and cats. (They, btw, prefer dogs...who'd a thought?) Your make-believe children can be taught whatever you choose, but don't for a minute believe that your beliefs regardless won't be passed along. Whether you shout them or whisper them.

 

[dannyh23]

No, not blindly obediant. If they see God's love thru His Word and their parents, I believe turning to Christianty will be something that most children will willingly embrace.

Sorry, but I don't see how a child can willingly embrace this stuff (unless you skip these parts!)

"Women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but should be submissive, as the law also says." (1 Corinthians 14:34)

...and if I have an adopted child and her parents weren't married, what about this line?

"One of illegitimate birth shall not enter the congregation of the Lord." (Deuteronomy 23:2)

The parts about bringing the non-virgin women to be stoned to death speaks volumes, oh and kill your son if he disobeys stuff....

I can keep going, but I think you get the point....

 

[Ariel Mae]

Not sharing my religion with my family would be like not sharing my love of cats, or of disney. Handing them a travel book with all of the amusement parks in it, and telling them to read it, and decide which they like best.

And that can be done just as easily with religion, can it not? Instead of saying, "Honey, you're Jewish", why not say, "Honey, be what you want to be, because you want to, not because I, nor anyone else, wants to. Become who you were meant to be." You can't have that done through involuntary force.

I share all of my passions with my children. Religion, family, disney and cats. (They, btw, prefer dogs...who'd a thought?)

Sharing is far different from force. My point.

Your make-believe children can be taught whatever you choose, but don't for a minute believe that your beliefs regardless won't be passed along. Whether you shout them or whisper them.

I never said they wouldn't be passed along, but the point I'm trying to make is that I wouldn't force them into something they didn't want/weren't. Sharing =/= force. Big ol' difference. If they come into my beliefs, so be it. I'd rather they came into it on their own than having me force it down their poor little throats. And if they didn't, so be it, again. Their choice, not mine.

 

[meandtheguys2]

are you saying that if children do not practice a particular religion that they do not have boundaries, stability, or traditions?

Nope. I'm saying that if they are a part of my heritage, then they make up the boundaries, stability and tradition. Your family may have totally different traditions, and basic rules for living, memories, and attachments. For you not to share those with your child would be a shame, IMO. They don't need to figure it all out themselves. That is part of the reason we have parents, and the rest of the world that loves us. To hand over a book about some of the most intense, personal, and spiritual matters that they will need to figure out deprives them of so much. Your opinions and thoughts will filter down, anyway.

They will still, in the end, figure out the way best for them.

 

[Ariel Mae]

They don't need to figure it all out themselves. That is part of the reason we have parents, and the rest of the world that loves us.

So, they aren't capable of finding themselves in this world? I always thought, that, in the end, who we came out to be was greatly influenced by our surroundings, and if we came out to be our parents, we were never coming out to be ourselves...

To hand over a book about some of the most intense, personal, and spiritual matters that they will need to figure out deprives them of so much.

Not if that book comes along with one's knowledge/wisdom/tales of the past/heritage. Sharing is greatly different from forcing. Sharing gives an option, force does not.

Your opinions and thoughts will filter down, anyway

Offering your thoughts/opinions is far different than saying, "This is how it is, and how you will become."

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Nope. I'm saying that if they are a part of my heritage, then they make up the boundaries, stability and tradition. Your family may have totally different traditions, and basic rules for living, memories, and attachments. For you not to share those with your child would be a shame, IMO. They don't need to figure it all out themselves. That is part of the reason we have parents, and the rest of the world that loves us. To hand over a book about some of the most intense, personal, and spiritual matters that they will need to figure out deprives them of so much. Your opinions and thoughts will filter down, anyway.

They will still, in the end, figure out the way best for them.

thank you - wasn't sure what you meant!

 

[jimmiej]

What happens in the situation where the parents are very involved/devout in their religion? How do the parents keep their children from becoming involved also?

 

[dannyh23]

What happens in the situation where the parents are very involved/devout in their religion? How do the parents keep their children from becoming involved also?

That's a good question -- and what if the parents are two different religions, or two different branches of a similar religion? Or later in life one changes their beliefs? We've got 10,000 different beliefs in this world! What if the parents push too hard, and the child rebels against it? Very tough questions indeed!

 

[Kath2003]

IMO there's a difference between teaching "This is what Mommy believes" and "This is the truth, undeniable fact and all other beliefs are wrong and those people who follow those belief systems are misled".

I will have no problem discussing my beliefs with my (future) children. I will also have no problem involving them in activities and traditions I may take part in which are centered around these beliefs, if they wish. I will NOT present my beliefs or the beliefs of anyone else as FACT. I will also have no problem discussing other belief systems with my (future) children and will encourage them to take part in activities and traditions relating to those beliefs also.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Sorry, but I don't see how a child can willingly embrace this stuff (unless you skip these parts!)

"Women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but should be submissive, as the law also says." (1 Corinthians 14:34)

...and if I have an adopted child and her parents weren't married, what about this line?

"One of illegitimate birth shall not enter the congregation of the Lord." (Deuteronomy 23:2)

The parts about bringing the non-virgin women to be stoned to death speaks volumes, oh and kill your son if he disobeys stuff....

I can keep going, but I think you get the point....

I see you are not familar with the New Testament (New Covenant) between God and Jesus which reconciles God to man(kind).

 

[dcentity2000]

I see you are not familar with the New Testament (New Covenant) between God and Jesus which reconciles God to man(kind).

I tend to pay more credence to the New Testament than the Old; how do you feel? Is it possible for the two to co-exist without conflict?

Seriously, I'm interested and you seem clued-up



Rich::

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

I tend to pay more credence to the New Testament than the Old; how do you feel? Is it possible for the two to co-exist without conflict?

Seriously, I'm interested and you seem clued-up



Rich::

Definitely the New Testament. Yes, I believe they can "co-exist" as they are both the Word of God, but explaining in any detail how they intertwine or how the New Testament changes or supercedes certain things would take a lot of typing.

By far, the most important change thru the New Testament is that we all now have eternal salvation thru belief and acceptance of what Jesus did on the cross (John 3:16 for example) instead of thru laws and atonement. Jesus is now the atonement (penance) for all sin.

 

[jimmiej]

IMO there's a difference between teaching "This is what Mommy believes" and "This is the truth, undeniable fact and all other beliefs are wrong and those people who follow those belief systems are misled".

I will have no problem discussing my beliefs with my (future) children. I will also have no problem involving them in activities and traditions I may take part in which are centered around these beliefs, if they wish. I will NOT present my beliefs or the beliefs of anyone else as FACT. I will also have no problem discussing other belief systems with my (future) children and will encourage them to take part in activities and traditions relating to those beliefs also.

I respectfully disagree. While they live under my roof (my kids are grown), they participate in my religion or lack thereof. I'm the adult, they're children. I know better than they do what's best for them.