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Originally Posted by Cynthetiq
Unfortunately, parents are the sole person liable for minors. It's up to them to decide what they think is right or wrong for them in their lifestyle and belief system.
I don't think its acceptable for me and mine, but I have to respect it because it is under the shield and guise of religious beliefs.
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i have to really question this ethic. If we are serious about the vows made at baptism, then the entire community is responsible for the child. not only that, but it really evaporates the idea of children as property of parents...they are God's children, and we are but their guardians until they are ready to be independant. Jesus takes a very important stand on this issue, and makes children an important part of his ministry. laying hands on them and "letting the children come" is to show acceptance of those children as his responsibility. to the point...to watch what i believe is tantamount to child abuse occur in another household is not an act of respect for "to each his own" but a matter of having clean hands and a dirty heart.
Christian communities vow at every baptism to take communal responsbility for the child, to love them as God loves them without exception or fine print. i believe quite strongly that to teach a child to hate who they are is to preach the sin of ungratitude. to fail to confront this is to renouce the vows we have made as community.