Teaching small children about God

[Mutty]

Re: Teaching small children about God

Thank you Quodlibet. That is exactly what I meant Silent River. Considering the laud that is heaped upon the biblical god, I would think he could remove ALL confusion and do the teaching himself.

I think it was Quod who earlier pointed out that there are a million different versions of god a child can be taught by their parents and NONE of them will agree on every point great or small. Interestingly enough, those rival points will keep the world divided even down to neighbors.

[quodlibet]

Re: Teaching small children about God

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Humano</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Silent_River</div><div class="ubbcode-body">BUt waht's wrong with being taught in the ways of god? </div></div>

What are those ways? </div></div>

I am still not seeing in this thread a way to teach &quot;the ways of God&quot; without imparting some specific doctrine. This means that &quot;<span style="font-weight: bold">the</span> ways of God&quot; so far implies &quot;the [teacher's perception of the] ways of God&quot;...

[neutral]

Re: Teaching small children about God

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: _____</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How do you do so?

I know as children we were taught to pray. We prayed before meals, after meals, before school, after school, and before going to sleep. But that does not mean we understood the true meaning of having a relationship with God.

We went to Sunday School, were taught stories from the Bible, sang songs like Father Abraham and Jesus Loves Me. But that does not mean that we understood. We just did it because we had to.


Your thoughts?
</div></div>

We were being brainwashed from a young age, the main method used was fear,fear of what would happen to us if we didnt believe in this &quot;god&quot;,this fear even extend to after we die,we are told that bad things would happen to us after death if we dont believe,we werent being &quot;taught&quot; we were being indoctrinated and brainwashed,as kids we had no choice,we did it out of fear and because we were told we had to.

[johnnycakes]

Re: Teaching small children about God

And just what sort of omniscient all-powerful being would want to be feared, prayed to, worshipped and have his creations abused as they are ?

How can anyone believe in the deity of such a being..

Those behaviors are those of mortals and not of a superior being.

[MrHeathen]

Re: Teaching small children about God

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johnnycakes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And just what sort of omniscient all-powerful being would want to be feared, prayed to, worshipped and have his creations abused as they are ?

How can anyone believe in the deity of such a being..

<span style="font-weight: bold">Those behaviors are those of mortals and not of a superior being.</span>

</div></div>In the beginning ,man created god in his own image...

[MrHeathen]

Re: Teaching small children about God

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Silent_River</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

BUt waht's wrong with being taught in the ways of god? Children are trained in other aspects of their development too, and it is the parents'/caregivers' responsiblity, to expose them to whaterver spiritual discipline they deem fit for their household.

<span style="font-style: italic">Anyways, long time no see. Nice to see ya.. </span> </div></div>

ahhh the very very fine line between teaching and indoctrination

[quodlibet]

Re: Teaching small children about God

Again, that is indoctrination - another household could mention Ahura Mazda and except for the name and a few details (example Gayomard vs Adam) the child would leave with the same core information...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Member_0</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johnnycakes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And just what sort of omniscient all-powerful being would want to be feared, prayed to, worshipped and have his creations abused as they are ?

How can anyone believe in the deity of such a being..

<span style="font-weight: bold">Those behaviors are those of mortals and not of a superior being.</span>

</div></div>In the beginning ,man created god in his own image... </div></div>

[johnnycakes]

Re: Teaching small children about God

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Member_0</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Silent_River</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

BUt waht's wrong with being taught in the ways of god? Children are trained in other aspects of their development too, and it is the parents'/caregivers' responsiblity, to expose them to whaterver spiritual discipline they deem fit for their household.

<span style="font-style: italic">Anyways, long time no see. Nice to see ya.. </span> </div></div>

ahhh the very very fine line between teaching and indoctrination </div></div>


Right!
If the child is too young to understand the moral concepts, the metaphors and all the other oblique references to the concept of God contained in traditional religious teachings, then it is indoctrination..
This is totally unfair to a child.

If you want to teach him-her the morality contained in religious teachings such as helping the poor, do not lie, do not steal, &quot;Do unto others as ye would have them do unto you&quot; that is absolutely the correct thing to do.

When they are old enough to understand the deeper concepts contained in religions, then what Bible-based morality lessons they have learned up until then can be merged with the deeper conceptual understanding so they can get the whole picture.

At that point they are wise enough to accept or reject the superstitions, legends and simplistic explanations that are often contained in today's religions.

[julie*mango]

Re: Teaching small children about God

Johnny I absolutely agree with you. I do not want to indoctrinate my kids. However I want to provide them with some sort of moral compass...and I am not saying that atheists or those of other religions do not have one either... <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johnnycakes</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Member_0</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Silent_River</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

BUt waht's wrong with being taught in the ways of god? Children are trained in other aspects of their development too, and it is the parents'/caregivers' responsiblity, to expose them to whaterver spiritual discipline they deem fit for their household.

<span style="font-style: italic">Anyways, long time no see. Nice to see ya.. </span> </div></div>

ahhh the very very fine line between teaching and indoctrination </div></div>


Right!
If the child is too young to understand the moral concepts, the metaphors and all the other oblique references to the concept of God contained in traditional religious teachings, then it is indoctrination..
This is totally unfair to a child.

If you want to teach him-her the morality contained in religious teachings such as helping the poor, do not lie, do not steal, &quot;Do unto others as ye would have them do unto you&quot; that is absolutely the correct thing to do.

When they are old enough to understand the deeper concepts contained in religions, then what Bible-based morality lessons they have learned up until then can be merged with the deeper conceptual understanding so they can get the whole picture.

At that point they are wise enough to accept or reject the superstitions, legends and simplistic explanations that are often contained in today's religions. </div></div>