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

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:43 pm

even if you are not religious or do not believe?

I know we have a lot of religious discussions, but I don't think we did this one

lemon_and_mint · Post by **lemon_and_mint** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:48 pm

if i had children i would like them to be as exposed to all religions as possible, to ask their own questions, to be able to talk to me about their discoveries, and ultimately make their own minds up about which if any religion to follow, in which i would support them.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:54 pm

I raised all my children in the faith that I believe, as I was. It is a way of life for us; we are a family that contains ministers and missionaries. (my father died on the mission field) So, it is a part of our daily lives, as it is now my children's.

suzycreamcheese · Post by **suzycreamcheese** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:56 pm

I dont mind them knowing about the various religions, as long as its presented as a theory and not as a fact.

Post by **spot** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:57 pm

I took them all along to regular Sunday services until they got old enough to partition out their own time, I made sure they knew their way around the bible by reading them all selections and discussing what we'd read. Religion's still a regular topic of conversation. I had great fun helping them with assorted comparative religion homework projects - "What do you have this term?" - "Hinduism" - "Get your crayons out, there's a lot to draw for that".

All you can do is hand them enough vocabulary and a grounding in how to use it. Familiarizing them with a lot of hymns is pretty useful as well, that way they can shudder with good aesthetic reason if they're presented with a Praise Song.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:01 pm

At the base of most religion is what is right and wrong. A kid's head is not sophisticated enough, imo, to hear 100 different opinions of right and wrong and choose the right one. A kid needs a parent to make those decisions for him/her. It's a parent's responsibility to teach right & wrong and to teach which religion to follow, if any.

Save the religion buffet for when the kid's mature enough to discern the subtle differences.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:02 pm

Wow spot, depends on what kind of Praise Songs. Some could be quite peppy, totally based on Scripture, and fun to sing/or play.

I have fun on a weekly basis, as the Instrumental Director at my church, getting the little orchestra ready to play, multiple chimes and hand bells groups, we all have fun when it comes to the music. I guess it depends on what your singing/playing, what you feel about it, and if you want to do it. My little ones learn music, how to read and play it, and what the words that would go with the songs mean.

Carolly · Post by **Carolly** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:05 pm

Teach your children to be good caring people because at the end of the day no matter what religion you teach them its what within that matters.I have looked at many religions and also "been there" if you like but as I have said before I truely believe that God is within and because religion is man made I just try to listen to my conscience as that voice is my God I believe.

Post by **spot** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:07 pm

chonsigirl;750659 wrote: Wow spot, depends on what kind of Praise Songs.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.

lemon_and_mint · Post by **lemon_and_mint** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:08 pm

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.

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:11 pm

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 · Post by **Accountable** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:13 pm

lemon_and_mint;750663 wrote: 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 · Post by **Pheasy** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:14 pm

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.

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. :-4

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:15 pm

spot;750662 wrote: 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 · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:23 pm

Accountable;750665 wrote: 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 · Post by **RedGlitter** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:24 pm

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 · Post by **Pheasy** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:25 pm

RedGlitter;750672 wrote: 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 · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:26 pm

Like this, RG?

Attached files

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:37 pm

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)

Ralph Stanley samples (need Real Player)

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:38 pm

ThePheasant;750666 wrote: 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.

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. :-4

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.:-4:-4

the song you linked Pheasy, was absoulutely beautiful!:-4

Insomniac · Post by **Insomniac** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 8:00 pm

This is a very interesting topic. I've been away for a long time, first time back here in months. Red Glitter, that music is haunting. It's beautiful.

watermark · Post by **watermark** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 8:58 pm

This is a good topic. I have four kids the two oldest now 22 and 20 went to church with me when I became a believer. It was pure hell though taking them to the service because their dad wasn't into going to church and I had to manage the boys on my own. I had stint playing in our bell choir and can tell you this was the most excruciating experience standing in the front of the congregation trying to keep focused on the music while watching my sons goofing around in the pews. We went to a Methodist church (they loved everybody and have great hymns too) but noone had the guts to tell my sons to knock it off.

I think it's important to offer kids a spiritual path to follow and the best kind would be the one the parent knows. To me all spiritual paths are equally valid as long as they are sincere ones, but from what I can tell many parents have a hard time knowing what their's are. Unless they were raised in a Christian household and came into parenting as a churched passing along a heritage as well as a faith.

I came from a family without church-- after we were very young my dad decided he wanted to stop going because we weren't going regularly and he felt like a holiday goer (I guess). For me I did go to all my friends churches at least once. I truly was attached to the Catholic church but wasn't able to partake in the services because I wasn't Catholic. Plus I don't think my parents appreciated the faith at all.

E

mrsK · Post by **mrsK** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:08 am

I taught my children about religion.

Then they made their own decisions about what they wanted to do with religion:-6

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:51 pm

Our children attended church with us on a regular basis until they were able to decide for themselves. We raised them to seek out justice and to be kind.

We can talk of right and wrong but that tends to be cultural. They were taught right and wrong as it pertains to our culture. They were also taught to keep and open mind and think.

Shalom

Ted:-6

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:29 pm

I didnt attend church really as a child but went to the Sunday School every week as it was fun. My mother was a battered wife, left with 3 young children to raise, myself just a baby. My father has never paid a penny towards our upkeep but demanded all three of us were christained catholics.

The ysplit and divorced before I was 2 years old, the local methodist church was a release on a sunday, we got to draw, paint and have a little fun, I was especially excited to have my attendance card stamped each week as when it was full, you were given a new book.

The fun part didnt last and neither did the belief im afraid.

My children can choose what path they want to lead when their of the correct age, I dont push my "disbeliefs" onto them.

At 9 and 8 years, they sing quite alot of hymns but the eldest has said she dont believe in god and wants to become a buddist monk...from the mouth of babes lol...

Sorry if this offends, but I dont think iv'e turned out badly for this path I have taken.

I married my first long term boyfriend:-4

Then had 2 beautiful children

We both work and always have, ive never received a hand out of the government.

I dont smoke, rarely drink but do have a pash for chocolate...

I have never been arrested

I do bits n bobs for charity

I own my own home

Lifes sweet for me.............:-4:-4:-4

moonpie · Post by **moonpie** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:52 pm

I have a really great husband. My only bone with him to pick is the fact that he does not understand why people get into any religeon whatsoever.

My mother was a Catholic and my father was raised Protestant. The thing she made sure of was to have us kids Baptised into the RC religeon. She had us kids go through Catechism, Confirmation and Communion. She never pushed Religeon on us really hard afterwards.

My husband's parents never had any religeous instruction whatsoever while the kids were growing up, and I think this is one of the reasons he cannot believe in any religeon. I think this is wrong that his parents never did anything like giving them some sort of an idea that this was out there for them, and if they wanted they could make a choice.

I can't say that I totally agree with the Roman Catholics now because it disgusts me what some of the priests have done to little boys, or hear the stories about those horrible mean nuns either. I don't wan't to generalize nuns or priests, but it certainly makes me want to start walking backwards from them.

All I guess I am trying to say is that children should have some sort of spiritual instruction when they are young and they can make their own choices after that. I just don't think my in-laws did their kids any favours by not giving them that. That is my opinion, and hope I don't upset anyone.

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:57 pm

Cheezie:-6

A sad story with a good ending. Congratulations and blessings.

Shalom

Ted:-6

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:18 pm

moonpie;752612 wrote:

All I guess I am trying to say is that children should have some sort of spiritual instruction when they are young and they can make their own choices after that. I just don't think my in-laws did their kids any favours by not giving them that. That is my opinion, and hope I don't upset anyone.

I agree.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:32 am

You seem to think religious belief is truly evil and dangerous, RJ.

mikeinie · Post by **mikeinie** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:57 am

My kids are being raised as Catholics, but I am very clear with them on the things that I disagree with about our religion. I also inform them about other religions and beliefs.

They are fortunate enough to have already visited China and have been to Buddhist Temples as well as visiting the Confucius Temple in Shanghia. I believe that the more knowledge that they have, a clearer understanding of their own religion they will have as well as respect for other beliefs.

After all religion is a belief system, not a science.

moonpie · Post by **moonpie** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:25 am

rjwould;752635 wrote: perhaps one reason he is so great is because he has never been saddled with religious dogma.

sounds like they did make a choice---no religion. Are you saying a person must pick a religion?

See, your husband does not have to deal with any disappointment because he has never put his faith in any religion. They all have scandals.

Why do you think spirituality is exclusive to religion.

Hi RJ - you make some pretty good arguments on my post, and I respect this.

But, Knowing my husband and how he follows most sports so closely, I just sometimes have to shake my head.

I would have to say that a good 80%?? of athletes seem like they are quite religeous, i.e. they pray before a game, they thank their god for their talent and for the good game(s) they have played, they kiss their St. Christopher or whatever medal they have hanging around their neck before they go up to bat, etc. Now, I don't know if half of these displays are for show, or if they truly believe. I am not here to question this. Although, he does sometimes make a snide remark to the athletes remark about "thanking god", etc.

I guess my question to him (hubby) would be that since so many athletes seem to worship a god, then how can you say that for ordinary people who believe in god and who regularly go to church - why do you perceive them to be using religeon as a crutch?

I don't know if this makes sense. I just find it frustrating that he cannot perceive that there is a god in many people's lives that are important to them.

Off my soap box now.

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 6:08 pm

Pinky;752991 wrote: I'd teach them the tenets of all religions - to basically treat others as you'd wish to be treated yourself and all that stuff, try to educate them about all faiths and then let them make their own minds up. Whatever resounds within them - even if it's nothing - is fine in my book. I certainly wouldn't expect my children to adopt Wicca/Paganism just because it happens to be what I live by.

Coodoo's to you. I taught my child to be spiritual and if she found one religion hit her chord.......go for it child of mine.

moonpie · Post by **moonpie** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 6:21 pm

Pinky;752991 wrote: I'd teach them the tenets of all religions - to basically treat others as you'd wish to be treated yourself and all that stuff, try to educate them about all faiths and then let them make their own minds up. Whatever resounds within them - even if it's nothing - is fine in my book. I certainly wouldn't expect my children to adopt Wicca/Paganism just because it happens to be what I live by.

I applaud you too, looking into something or anything is better than nothing.