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pakner -- I have to agree that living your life as an example for your
children to follow is the number one responsibility of a parent. The one God thing?... well you would have to believe in God to agree with that one.
posted by
gomedome
on August 8, 2005 at 8:35 AM
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it's so confusing with a lot of christian doctrines to search. For me, giving an example to my kids on how to live a good christian life would be enough, and when they grow a little older and mature, let them decide. What maters to me most, i believe that there is but only one God, whatever they want to call it by name.....
posted by
pakner
on August 7, 2005 at 11:27 PM
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you did well
if they think for themselves that's all you can ask for
posted by
Xeno-x
on August 3, 2005 at 4:14 PM
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Xeno-x -- again you hit the nail squarely on the head
When you say "If I were raising children now, I would encourage them to discover for themselves -- then encourage them to ask me what I think. I would then encourage them to research and make intelligent choices." I can honestly say that this is exactly what I did in raising my children, though I would be lying if I said that I set out initially to structure things this way. It was more a case of adlibbing, figuring it out as we went along, sort of like all forms of parenting when you think about it. The pesky problem of others throwing their 2 cents in kept cropping up. Some par for the course in the kids coming home from school with confusing messages they had picked up from other children to some out of line attempts at intervention from some scary people we have in the family. There were a few in our circle that honestly believed that I was responsible for ensuring my kids went to hell. There are to this day some relationships that have not been mended because of my setting people straight. At the end of it and as my children enter adulthood I am very happy with the results. I can say that I raised 2 level headed kids, one is a believer while the other is agnostic. Neither one has any patience for religious pretenders or the fanatically devout. What more could a parent ask for?
posted by
gomedome
on August 3, 2005 at 11:17 AM
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well . . . I've been on the receiving end of evangelism too much
it's uncomfortable for me to just say no thank you -- and some want to continue on -- want to discuss and such
the door knockers of course
If I were raising children now, I would encourage them to discover for themselves -- then encourage them to ask me what I think. I would then encourage them to research and make intelligent choices.
basically -- I raised basically without religion -- attended Vacation Bible Schools Sunday school and churches -- various
chose a fundamentalist type because the literature and the radio programs all used logical arguments.
left because they deep down did not.
both Kooka and his sister were raised similarly to me. Both made what I see as wise choices.
That's what counts.
A lot of classic religion helps to give rise to the cults whose activities are detrimental to their members and sociey as a whole - check out this one -- one of its members is now serving a life sentence for killing a state hwy patrolman -- went looking to kill and did it.
A HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION - 1 day ago
Here's a scary group!!! Right here in Missouri!!! - Covenant, Sword and...
posted by
Xeno-x
on August 3, 2005 at 9:47 AM
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J.King -- I have to agree that living it beats the heck out of talking
about it. Living one's life as an example to others is the core value of what I taught my kids in place of Christian dogma.
posted by
gomedome
on August 3, 2005 at 7:22 AM
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bettyboop1967 -- yes it is so damn confusing and I have to agree
that any religion that claims to be the one true ticket to heaven is ignoring the reality of all of the differing faiths in the world. In this part of the world we have so called Christians claiming that the only path to salvation is via their central icon in Jesus Christ. Completely ignoring that this would make heaven a pretty exclusive club with only 35% of the world currently having a chance to go there. In the same breath they will speak of an "all loving creator". So loving in fact that as you say, he has decided to confuse the hell out of everyone. Yeah that makes sense and is the single biggest reason that I kept my children away from such confused foolishness.
posted by
gomedome
on August 3, 2005 at 7:18 AM
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Hola,
Interesting reading! I don't know how anyone could justify taking someone elses children, without the consent of their parents. As far as others "sharing" their faith, I thinkthe best way to do that is to let it show through the way one lives their life, and through their actions. And hey, if someone asks me about my faith, I will be happy to share it. It is amazing how people will ask, when they see something positive in you.
Go Easy,
J. King
posted by
J.King
on August 2, 2005 at 9:50 PM
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So damned confusing
These people believe that unless the child knows about Jesus, that his or her soul is in danger. That would partly explain the missionaries around the world. But you can't tell me that a child who is Buddhist, Hindu, or Jewish is not going to make it to heaven just because they picked the wrong religion (or rather were born into it by location). Did you ever see the Southpark episode where they find out that Mormon is the right religion to get into heaven? It is hilarious. It's too hard to know which one to pick, so I decline. Oh, I was raised Catholic, and I will still attend because it means something to my boyfriend. But I don't think I have to, nor do I think they (or any religion) have a monopoly on the true story. I'd like to believe that if there is a God, not only will he let all good people into heaven, but he will apologize for making it so damned confusing to us down here!
posted by
bettyboop1967
on August 2, 2005 at 9:40 PM
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