Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

ngdawg · 03-15-2007, 12:59 PM

My kids go to their father's protestant church, are involved with the youth group there and are making their confirmation later this year.
They've been going since they were about 4; I have no problem with it because by exposing them to it all, they have the tools to decifer it all. My daughter questions the existence of God, doesn't want to make her confirmation really, but doesn't want to upset her dad.
As for 5 being too young, I disagree. It's not brainwashing, where you'd have to have her 'retrained'. Any reputable church organization will understand what children are able to grasp-they're not all of the 'do this or burn in Hell, Heathen!' way of thinking.
Of course, there will be questions, not unlike those about Santa or rainbows or monsters under the bed. By the time she's 11 or 12, unless she has a close religious friend, she'll have no interest in going, thus no interest in learning and deciding.
As for the "Jesus doesn't want you to have the blue crayon", I don't find this much different than saying "Santa saw you do that bad thing". That's more coming from the parents than the church.( I mean, she's 5, right? That age, everything is taken as reality when there's no opposing viewpoint) If you allow your kids to experience religion, while revealing your own take on it (without being preachy yourself), you open up an honest dialogue and give them a great opportunity to really think and learn.

03-15-2007, 12:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	My kids go to their father's protestant church, are involved with the youth group there and are making their confirmation later this year. They've been going since they were about 4; I have no problem with it because by exposing them to it all, they have the tools to decifer it all. My daughter questions the existence of God, doesn't want to make her confirmation really, but doesn't want to upset her dad. As for 5 being too young, I disagree. It's not brainwashing, where you'd have to have her 'retrained'. Any reputable church organization will understand what children are able to grasp-they're not all of the 'do this or burn in Hell, Heathen!' way of thinking. Of course, there will be questions, not unlike those about Santa or rainbows or monsters under the bed. By the time she's 11 or 12, unless she has a close religious friend, she'll have no interest in going, thus no interest in learning and deciding. As for the "Jesus doesn't want you to have the blue crayon", I don't find this much different than saying "Santa saw you do that bad thing". That's more coming from the parents than the church.( I mean, she's 5, right? That age, everything is taken as reality when there's no opposing viewpoint) If you allow your kids to experience religion, while revealing your own take on it (without being preachy yourself), you open up an honest dialogue and give them a great opportunity to really think and learn. __________________ Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.