Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!genrad!decvax!harpo!floyd!vax135!ariel!houti!hogpc!houxm!ihnp4!ihuxr!lew From: lew@ihuxr.UUCP Newsgroups: net.religion Subject: Re: teaching religion to children Message-ID: <474@ihuxr.UUCP> Date: Thu, 16-Jun-83 14:14:02 EDT Article-I.D.: ihuxr.474 Posted: Thu Jun 16 14:14:02 1983 Date-Received: Sat, 18-Jun-83 15:59:36 EDT Lines: 39 Here are my comments on religious education for children. I have two children (Lisa age 7, and Max age 6) so I am speaking from experience, but I don't claim any special status for my opinions. "Do I simply not teach religion?" - this comes closest to what we practice. The children are exposed to various beliefs and doctrines (largely from Roman Catholic playmates) and we answer their questions about these when they ask. They also have children's Bibles that their "Mimi" gave them, and they occasionally look at these. I have also related various Greek myths to them. "Do I teach them my own religious beliefs?" - This is inevitable if you're honest with them. Our children mull things over for themselves but always seek our opinions too.( "Is heaven true?", "Is God true?", "Is the Bible true?"; Max once asked, "Are firemen true?") They are powerfully motivated to be in conformity with their parents. "Do I shield them from certain teachings?" - No! I have found that my children exercise plenty of control over their own input. Things which are beyond them simply don't concern them. The only thing I don't explain frankly to them when they ask about it is nuclear war; it's the one thing I don't feel they can handle. (Actually, my wife promulgated this policy but I came to agree with its wisdom.) "Do I give them the community standard religion line?" - Which community? Which standard? They find out about this from their friends. Anyway, this seems hypocritical to me. "Do I let them chose for themselves?" - Let them ??? This is also inevitable. I don't think its necessary to instill skepticism. Our children seem to be very active and independent thinkers, and showed very different attitudes toward religion (for one thing) at an early age. Lisa is a real scoffer, given to such pronouncements as "God is stupid!" Max is something of a visionary by comparison. He once came running out of the bathroom proclaiming, "The water said 'Darth Vader'!". We went and listened to the spigot, and my wife thought she could sort of hear it too, but I was doubtful. Lew Mammel, Jr. ihuxr!lew