Children and Religion

http://apnews.myway.com/image/20050128/IRAQ_.sff_B AG124_20050128091654.html?date=20050128&docid=D87T 62GG0

I could write a 10,000 word essay on that picture. That kid reminds me of myself many years ago in a christian environment. He seems to be saying, "you grownups are all full of shit" It really is true that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

[life]

i wouldn't want to be behind the guy who had too many beans for lunch.. every time you all had to bend over, somethin nasty would be leakin' out just inches from yer nose!

[sparky]

<---------been there, seen that, many times, always baffled me

I remember when I was an early teen I asked my Sunday school teacher why, if God had an unstoppable divine plan, he could both give man free will and also hold him accountable for it, damning him or redeeming him for actions made within a plan He concieved. They didn't really like me much...then I started dating my reverand's oldest daughter and that was about the end of my (and her) reputable days at that church...

It sucks to be a kid, though, having to sit though all this nonsense you know isn't true, taught by people who really have missed the point, a point children have no problem grasping but for some reasons parents keep beating it into their heads. I remember being 16 and still going to church, after each sermon I would bitch about how much hypocracy there was and how unbelieveable the religion was - they didn't let me out of going until I was a senior in high school. What is it about parents that drives them to create MiniMe? lol Well, I guess that's the motivation in the first place, isn't it? It's just too bad parents don't let kids think for themselves more often, I think, they might be surprised all the good ideas the runts come up with.

When it comes to religious/occult awareness, toddler age children seem to be at the peak of receptivity. Conciousness and the demands of daily living have not yet shut out the 'other side'.

Anyone remember the scene in Dogma with Cardinal Glick in his office:

"Hook 'em while they're young, people! That's the key!"

"Just like the tobacco companies..."

"Oh, if only we had their numbers!"

[reefer]

Just another greedy corporation.

[sandman]

theres a great beauty to be had in the understanding of a young child.

its so sad to see it completely disregarded.

Here's that picture in case AP takes it down from the link above. It's a classic.

I remember doing such a thing during prayer. I would wonder "why ritualize bowing your head" and I would look around to see if anyone else was looking around.

What I never understood was why, if God and His Holy Spirit were everywhere, why we had to go to a church to pray. Oh, that's right, He needs money.

that's a place where religion "commands", in the states religion is how you see fit. that boy marks the change of religous reasoning. he might grow up and be a great leader one day simply because he is questioning the norm that so many others didn't dare question.

to hear you guys bash religion as though it were a form of government is cynical. I believe that some forms of religion are true. And other forms are not. However the aspect of religion, in infancy, to todlers, should be taught. Trivial, but much needed, things such as sharing, caring, helping, reading, writing, expressing feelings, and unity are taught within the walls of the church. However, I am not too intune with the popular: "lets drop our kids off at church" thing that many parents do today. If anyone was really trying to make a minime, they would do it themselv instead of allowing a priest to do it for htem.

There are other ways to instill
"good" behavior outside of the church.
the church tells you to be good or else.
i want my child to be good because
they want to be good and not because
they are afraid of religious repercusions.
it makes perfect sense to teach them
that one should do unto others as they
would want done to themselves.
If you want someone to shit in your
yard go and shit in someone else's yard.
if yu want all your possessions to
be stolen go and steel from another.
This could make the world population
work together. I want people to be kind
to me so I am kind to other people.
The problem I have with organized
religion--not spirituality--is that
there is no acceptance of other ideas
and beleifs. Organized religion is hypocrytical.

I think that relatively I'm a good person morally. I treat people fairly and I have a good view of whats right and wrong. I share, I'm considerate and I am generally a helping and giving person.

I learned everything without church or God involved at all. My parents taught me what I know by example and gentle teachings.

Religion is not needed to teach children the aspects of growing up to be a decent person. It is only needed when the parents themselves fail.

It's a big mistake in my opinion to teach morals to your kids in the context of religion. Later on, if the kid gives up the religion, out go the morals too. A moral code is necessary for the functioning of a normal society. It should be taught as such.