Do you teach your children about religion (or would you)

[RedGlitter]

This is a very difficult question, Missy.

I am a religious woman but I'm fairly private about it. On the one hand I don't want to say to my child "THIS is what you should believe" but on the other, I would want to give my child a sense of something to hang onto when life's experiences shake him. I would teach my child that there is magic in everyday life, that signs from God, Nature and the spirit world are always there if we are open to them. That God knows what's in one's heart and whatever you have between you and YOUR God is your faith, not what some church says is faith.
However when age permitted we would discuss much including atheism. I would hope my child would not choose that because to me life that way seems bleak and hopeless when things are bad (I know atheist members will prickle at this but there's no need to, this is my opinion only) but if he did choose that path I would support him in that or whatever he chose providing it was not a cult or otherwise dangerous thing.

[Accountable]

Originally Posted by lemon_and_mint

i was thinking of teaching them rightand wrong and social graces as a seperate issue, they would be taught that as well.The religious "buffet" would be presented at a level appropriate to their age, and presented not as absolute truths but to teach them that people are different and that different things go on in different faiths.

I think a child would find it interesting, if it was taught and shown in an exciting way.

Hm. I should've thought about it longer before posting. I know that as a kid I was alway curious about how the other churches ran their services, especially the ones who were so loud and enthusiatic I could hear them from the street outside.

[Pheasy]

On Christmas Eve, Lucy (age 7) and I made a nativity scene, she was asking questions. So I explained to her the beliefs (even though I am not that religious) and then played her this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npz3f...eature=related

When I looked up she was crying. Looking at her made me cry too. We both sat with tears rolling down our cheeks. The song just reminded me of all the 'let downs' and my survival instinct that says rely on no one and expect no one, but yourself, to look after you.

[chonsigirl]

Originally Posted by spot

Damn, I should have thought whose toes I might tread on with that. I'm so hidebound traditionalist you'd blink, honestly. I was annoyed by the 1983 hymn book when it came out though I liked the Companion volume, I have hesitation using the 1933, the 1904 was destruction on a huge scale though it had aspects of interest and the 1876 was tolerable only because it left the core 1780 book practically unchanged.

Oh, I do not know those hymnals, spot. They must contain many very old hymns. Yes, some old ones are good, some are a good exercise in sight reading for me. (we played one old one tonight from the 1770s, and a few from 1800s, but most are within the last two decades-it is a mix) Only one I remember right now from tonight for an oldie, All Creatures of Our God and King, we did it for offertory, I played piano, and we had the viola play the solo part. But we can sometimes have a band back up the orchestra, for modern style cantatas. That is fun.

[chonsigirl]

Originally Posted by Accountable

Hm. I should've thought about it longer before posting. I know that as a kid I was alway curious about how the other churches ran their services, especially the ones who were so loud and enthusiatic I could hear them from the street outside.

That must have been us...............

I raised my children in the church, they see and hear what I believe, so they understand for themselves how to believe. Here, far from home, the church and people within it have became our family. It is a very good thing for me, during the last 3 years. As they live through the problems of my husband's illness and very slow recovery, I live through their problems and trials also. I truly believe, without my belief in God, their prayers and support, my husband would not be as well as he is today. No, it is not much I know, but in some ways it is more than any medical expert expected. He is a small child in his mind, but he is very well physically, can now use a walker, and tries to read. My children saw these things for themselves over the years, and know why he has recovered. Our religious beliefs explain that all to them.

[RedGlitter]

Speaking of singing....is anyone here familiar with shape note (Sacred Harp) singing? Or the call and response singing of Old Regular Baptists? The latter especially gives me chills. If I went to a church, that's what I'd want to hear.

Ralph Stanley's version of "Village Churchyard" is something to hear as well.

[Pheasy]

Originally Posted by RedGlitter

Speaking of singing....is anyone here familiar with shape note (Sacred Harp) singing? Or the call and response singing of Old Regular Baptists? The latter especially gives me chills. If I went to a church, that's what I'd want to hear.

Ralph Stanley's version of "Village Churchyard" is something to hear as well.

Do you have a link Red so we can hear it?

[chonsigirl]

Like this, RG?

[RedGlitter]

Thank you Chonsi!
Here's an interesting site for shape note singing with some examples too.

http://fasola.org/

Pheasy I will try to find that Village Churchyard or something similar for you guys.

Your topic is an excellent one, I think. (I hope I didn't take it off track. )
I really had to think about it before I replied.

ETA:

Samples of Old Regular Baptists: (I like The Day is Past and Gone)
http://www.amazon.com/Old-Regular-Ba.../dp/B000S9DI98


Ralph Stanley samples (need Real Player)
http://www.amazon.com/Almost-Home-Ra.../dp/B000000287

[WonderWendy3]

Originally Posted by ThePheasant

On Christmas Eve, Lucy (age 7) and I made a nativity scene, she was asking questions. So I explained to her the beliefs (even though I am not that religious) and then played her this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npz3f...eature=related

When I looked up she was crying. Looking at her made me cry too. We both sat with tears rolling down our cheeks. The song just reminded me of all the 'let downs' and my survival instinct that says rely on no one and expect no one, but yourself, to look after you.

Pheasy,

I want to tell you that this post reminded me of when I was a little girl. I remember asking my mom the same thing and her telling me that Jesus was born on Christmas day, and then the subject changed. We didn't go to church, except for a few times in my child-hood and then I tried to attend with some friends when I was in high school....Mom and Dad didn't attend and for the most part, I was raised in a liberal home that believed in abortion, pornography, alcholism etc. was acceptable etc. (Please don't take offense to that in any way, just sharing briefly my up-bringing).

I accepted Jesus in 1992 and my life has been forever changed, my parents are now VERY active in the church and my children were raised in the church....and even though I went through a rough couple of years struggling with going to church due to being stressed from doing "everything"....my children are the reason I've been going to church regularily lately....and I'm thankful for that.

the song you linked Pheasy, was absoulutely beautiful!