Religion that will help little girl feell good about herself, make peace with existential crisis

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son went through a similar phase around that age. I think it's ok to tell your child that you don't have all the answers. I told him what we believed (agnostic/atheist) and what some of the other common religions believed in (afterlife, reincarnation). I also stressed that he was young and death was a long way off, it's not something that he had to figure out right away, and that his beliefs would likely change as he grew older. At the time he liked the idea of reincarnation, later he believed in Jesus, currently he thinks that there is probably nothing after death. He no longer has any existential angst about life/death. I think this is probably true for most people who are raised without religion.

In my opinion it the absolute wrong tactic to send your child to church. It may make her feel better temporarily, but she will likely question again when she is a teenager, and it will be far more traumatic to have to give up the fairy tale at that point (speaking from experience). If you never believe in an afterlife, there is no sense of loss later on. If she wants to go to church, that's a different circumstance, but I certainly wouldn't be the one to bring it up.

I don't understand this line of thinking. First of all, questioning people go to church all the time. And why do you assume that s/he will have to "give up the fairy tale?" What if your child's faith deepens? You may be describing YOUR experience, but that certainly doesn't happen to everyone.

Right, it doesn't happen to everyone - so why "send" a child who is not asking for a religion to believe in - to church. Why not tell her about all the ways people deal with the issue of the meaning of life and let her think through it instead of "sending" her anywhere as a solution. Right now her faith can't "deepen" because she doesn't have religious faith. Get it? religion is one thing she should be exposed to but not be told that a particular religion or faith tale is the answer.

You're right. The Holy Spirit will take care of that! We question, we knock... and the door is opened.

It sure sounds like all roads lead to Christianity -- the only true road. Yet somehow the world is filled with people who follow many diverse religions and no religion at all. I suppose a Christian would say they didn't question and knock correctly so the door to true understanding is closed to them. Too bad!

All roads to Truth lead to Christianity, yes. I wouldn't say people didn't knock correctly. I would say that their journey to a relationship with God is not yet complete

What if they die before they complete their journey to a relationship with God?

God's will be done

Exactly. God knows their heart and their mind. We don't.

Exactly, God knows their heart and mind and will send them to hell if he has to. He loves us so much he gave the free will to reject him and take his punishment, which he must mete out. It's part of his divine plan. Too bad more people don't see it. Especially in this country where so many people are educated enough to read His Word and know His Will. Yet more and more people here are falling away from God.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son went through a similar phase around that age. I think it's ok to tell your child that you don't have all the answers. I told him what we believed (agnostic/atheist) and what some of the other common religions believed in (afterlife, reincarnation). I also stressed that he was young and death was a long way off, it's not something that he had to figure out right away, and that his beliefs would likely change as he grew older. At the time he liked the idea of reincarnation, later he believed in Jesus, currently he thinks that there is probably nothing after death. He no longer has any existential angst about life/death. I think this is probably true for most people who are raised without religion.

In my opinion it the absolute wrong tactic to send your child to church. It may make her feel better temporarily, but she will likely question again when she is a teenager, and it will be far more traumatic to have to give up the fairy tale at that point (speaking from experience). If you never believe in an afterlife, there is no sense of loss later on. If she wants to go to church, that's a different circumstance, but I certainly wouldn't be the one to bring it up.

I don't understand this line of thinking. First of all, questioning people go to church all the time. And why do you assume that s/he will have to "give up the fairy tale?" What if your child's faith deepens? You may be describing YOUR experience, but that certainly doesn't happen to everyone.

Right, it doesn't happen to everyone - so why "send" a child who is not asking for a religion to believe in - to church. Why not tell her about all the ways people deal with the issue of the meaning of life and let her think through it instead of "sending" her anywhere as a solution. Right now her faith can't "deepen" because she doesn't have religious faith. Get it? religion is one thing she should be exposed to but not be told that a particular religion or faith tale is the answer.

You're right. The Holy Spirit will take care of that! We question, we knock... and the door is opened.

It sure sounds like all roads lead to Christianity -- the only true road. Yet somehow the world is filled with people who follow many diverse religions and no religion at all. I suppose a Christian would say they didn't question and knock correctly so the door to true understanding is closed to them. Too bad!

All roads to Truth lead to Christianity, yes. I wouldn't say people didn't knock correctly. I would say that their journey to a relationship with God is not yet complete

What if they die before they complete their journey to a relationship with God?

God's will be done

Exactly. God knows their heart and their mind. We don't.

Exactly, God knows their heart and mind and will send them to hell if he has to. He loves us so much he gave the free will to reject him and take his punishment, which he must mete out. It's part of his divine plan. Too bad more people don't see it. Especially in this country where so many people are educated enough to read His Word and know His Will. Yet more and more people here are falling away from God.

He doesn't "mete it out" as punishment. We each have a choice. You too, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son went through a similar phase around that age. I think it's ok to tell your child that you don't have all the answers. I told him what we believed (agnostic/atheist) and what some of the other common religions believed in (afterlife, reincarnation). I also stressed that he was young and death was a long way off, it's not something that he had to figure out right away, and that his beliefs would likely change as he grew older. At the time he liked the idea of reincarnation, later he believed in Jesus, currently he thinks that there is probably nothing after death. He no longer has any existential angst about life/death. I think this is probably true for most people who are raised without religion.

In my opinion it the absolute wrong tactic to send your child to church. It may make her feel better temporarily, but she will likely question again when she is a teenager, and it will be far more traumatic to have to give up the fairy tale at that point (speaking from experience). If you never believe in an afterlife, there is no sense of loss later on. If she wants to go to church, that's a different circumstance, but I certainly wouldn't be the one to bring it up.

I don't understand this line of thinking. First of all, questioning people go to church all the time. And why do you assume that s/he will have to "give up the fairy tale?" What if your child's faith deepens? You may be describing YOUR experience, but that certainly doesn't happen to everyone.

Right, it doesn't happen to everyone - so why "send" a child who is not asking for a religion to believe in - to church. Why not tell her about all the ways people deal with the issue of the meaning of life and let her think through it instead of "sending" her anywhere as a solution. Right now her faith can't "deepen" because she doesn't have religious faith. Get it? religion is one thing she should be exposed to but not be told that a particular religion or faith tale is the answer.

You're right. The Holy Spirit will take care of that! We question, we knock... and the door is opened.

It sure sounds like all roads lead to Christianity -- the only true road. Yet somehow the world is filled with people who follow many diverse religions and no religion at all. I suppose a Christian would say they didn't question and knock correctly so the door to true understanding is closed to them. Too bad!

All roads to Truth lead to Christianity, yes. I wouldn't say people didn't knock correctly. I would say that their journey to a relationship with God is not yet complete

What if they die before they complete their journey to a relationship with God?

God's will be done

Exactly. God knows their heart and their mind. We don't.

Exactly, God knows their heart and mind and will send them to hell if he has to. He loves us so much he gave the free will to reject him and take his punishment, which he must mete out. It's part of his divine plan. Too bad more people don't see it. Especially in this country where so many people are educated enough to read His Word and know His Will. Yet more and more people here are falling away from God.

He doesn't "mete it out" as punishment. We each have a choice. You too, PP.

He gives us a choice between believing in him or not. If we decide not to believe, then he punishes us eternally. This is not much of a choice. This encourages people to try to believe or to say they believe, when they really don't. This is coercion and fear tactics for people who consider that the story of such a god might be true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son went through a similar phase around that age. I think it's ok to tell your child that you don't have all the answers. I told him what we believed (agnostic/atheist) and what some of the other common religions believed in (afterlife, reincarnation). I also stressed that he was young and death was a long way off, it's not something that he had to figure out right away, and that his beliefs would likely change as he grew older. At the time he liked the idea of reincarnation, later he believed in Jesus, currently he thinks that there is probably nothing after death. He no longer has any existential angst about life/death. I think this is probably true for most people who are raised without religion.

In my opinion it the absolute wrong tactic to send your child to church. It may make her feel better temporarily, but she will likely question again when she is a teenager, and it will be far more traumatic to have to give up the fairy tale at that point (speaking from experience). If you never believe in an afterlife, there is no sense of loss later on. If she wants to go to church, that's a different circumstance, but I certainly wouldn't be the one to bring it up.

I don't understand this line of thinking. First of all, questioning people go to church all the time. And why do you assume that s/he will have to "give up the fairy tale?" What if your child's faith deepens? You may be describing YOUR experience, but that certainly doesn't happen to everyone.

Right, it doesn't happen to everyone - so why "send" a child who is not asking for a religion to believe in - to church. Why not tell her about all the ways people deal with the issue of the meaning of life and let her think through it instead of "sending" her anywhere as a solution. Right now her faith can't "deepen" because she doesn't have religious faith. Get it? religion is one thing she should be exposed to but not be told that a particular religion or faith tale is the answer.

You're right. The Holy Spirit will take care of that! We question, we knock... and the door is opened.

It sure sounds like all roads lead to Christianity -- the only true road. Yet somehow the world is filled with people who follow many diverse religions and no religion at all. I suppose a Christian would say they didn't question and knock correctly so the door to true understanding is closed to them. Too bad!

All roads to Truth lead to Christianity, yes. I wouldn't say people didn't knock correctly. I would say that their journey to a relationship with God is not yet complete

What if they die before they complete their journey to a relationship with God?

God's will be done

Exactly. God knows their heart and their mind. We don't.

Exactly, God knows their heart and mind and will send them to hell if he has to. He loves us so much he gave the free will to reject him and take his punishment, which he must mete out. It's part of his divine plan. Too bad more people don't see it. Especially in this country where so many people are educated enough to read His Word and know His Will. Yet more and more people here are falling away from God.

He doesn't "mete it out" as punishment. We each have a choice. You too, PP.

He gives us a choice between believing in him or not. If we decide not to believe, then he punishes us eternally. This is not much of a choice. This encourages people to try to believe or to say they believe, when they really don't. This is coercion and fear tactics for people who consider that the story of such a god might be true.

If you choose not to believe then you are already separated from God. Following your own way becomes it's own "punishment"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son went through a similar phase around that age. I think it's ok to tell your child that you don't have all the answers. I told him what we believed (agnostic/atheist) and what some of the other common religions believed in (afterlife, reincarnation). I also stressed that he was young and death was a long way off, it's not something that he had to figure out right away, and that his beliefs would likely change as he grew older. At the time he liked the idea of reincarnation, later he believed in Jesus, currently he thinks that there is probably nothing after death. He no longer has any existential angst about life/death. I think this is probably true for most people who are raised without religion.

In my opinion it the absolute wrong tactic to send your child to church. It may make her feel better temporarily, but she will likely question again when she is a teenager, and it will be far more traumatic to have to give up the fairy tale at that point (speaking from experience). If you never believe in an afterlife, there is no sense of loss later on. If she wants to go to church, that's a different circumstance, but I certainly wouldn't be the one to bring it up.

I don't understand this line of thinking. First of all, questioning people go to church all the time. And why do you assume that s/he will have to "give up the fairy tale?" What if your child's faith deepens? You may be describing YOUR experience, but that certainly doesn't happen to everyone.

Right, it doesn't happen to everyone - so why "send" a child who is not asking for a religion to believe in - to church. Why not tell her about all the ways people deal with the issue of the meaning of life and let her think through it instead of "sending" her anywhere as a solution. Right now her faith can't "deepen" because she doesn't have religious faith. Get it? religion is one thing she should be exposed to but not be told that a particular religion or faith tale is the answer.

You're right. The Holy Spirit will take care of that! We question, we knock... and the door is opened.

It sure sounds like all roads lead to Christianity -- the only true road. Yet somehow the world is filled with people who follow many diverse religions and no religion at all. I suppose a Christian would say they didn't question and knock correctly so the door to true understanding is closed to them. Too bad!

All roads to Truth lead to Christianity, yes. I wouldn't say people didn't knock correctly. I would say that their journey to a relationship with God is not yet complete

What if they die before they complete their journey to a relationship with God?

God's will be done

Exactly. God knows their heart and their mind. We don't.

Exactly, God knows their heart and mind and will send them to hell if he has to. He loves us so much he gave the free will to reject him and take his punishment, which he must mete out. It's part of his divine plan. Too bad more people don't see it. Especially in this country where so many people are educated enough to read His Word and know His Will. Yet more and more people here are falling away from God.

He doesn't "mete it out" as punishment. We each have a choice. You too, PP.

He gives us a choice between believing in him or not. If we decide not to believe, then he punishes us eternally. This is not much of a choice. This encourages people to try to believe or to say they believe, when they really don't. This is coercion and fear tactics for people who consider that the story of such a god might be true.

If you choose not to believe then you are already separated from God. Following your own way becomes it's own "punishment"

+1. God isn't punishing you. You're separating yourself from Him forever. That is punishment enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son went through a similar phase around that age. I think it's ok to tell your child that you don't have all the answers. I told him what we believed (agnostic/atheist) and what some of the other common religions believed in (afterlife, reincarnation). I also stressed that he was young and death was a long way off, it's not something that he had to figure out right away, and that his beliefs would likely change as he grew older. At the time he liked the idea of reincarnation, later he believed in Jesus, currently he thinks that there is probably nothing after death. He no longer has any existential angst about life/death. I think this is probably true for most people who are raised without religion.

In my opinion it the absolute wrong tactic to send your child to church. It may make her feel better temporarily, but she will likely question again when she is a teenager, and it will be far more traumatic to have to give up the fairy tale at that point (speaking from experience). If you never believe in an afterlife, there is no sense of loss later on. If she wants to go to church, that's a different circumstance, but I certainly wouldn't be the one to bring it up.

I don't understand this line of thinking. First of all, questioning people go to church all the time. And why do you assume that s/he will have to "give up the fairy tale?" What if your child's faith deepens? You may be describing YOUR experience, but that certainly doesn't happen to everyone.

Right, it doesn't happen to everyone - so why "send" a child who is not asking for a religion to believe in - to church. Why not tell her about all the ways people deal with the issue of the meaning of life and let her think through it instead of "sending" her anywhere as a solution. Right now her faith can't "deepen" because she doesn't have religious faith. Get it? religion is one thing she should be exposed to but not be told that a particular religion or faith tale is the answer.

You're right. The Holy Spirit will take care of that! We question, we knock... and the door is opened.

It sure sounds like all roads lead to Christianity -- the only true road. Yet somehow the world is filled with people who follow many diverse religions and no religion at all. I suppose a Christian would say they didn't question and knock correctly so the door to true understanding is closed to them. Too bad!

All roads to Truth lead to Christianity, yes. I wouldn't say people didn't knock correctly. I would say that their journey to a relationship with God is not yet complete

What if they die before they complete their journey to a relationship with God?

God's will be done

Exactly. God knows their heart and their mind. We don't.

Exactly, God knows their heart and mind and will send them to hell if he has to. He loves us so much he gave the free will to reject him and take his punishment, which he must mete out. It's part of his divine plan. Too bad more people don't see it. Especially in this country where so many people are educated enough to read His Word and know His Will. Yet more and more people here are falling away from God.

He doesn't "mete it out" as punishment. We each have a choice. You too, PP.

He gives us a choice between believing in him or not. If we decide not to believe, then he punishes us eternally. This is not much of a choice. This encourages people to try to believe or to say they believe, when they really don't. This is coercion and fear tactics for people who consider that the story of such a god might be true.

If you choose not to believe then you are already separated from God. Following your own way becomes it's own "punishment"

+1. God isn't punishing you. You're separating yourself from Him forever. That is punishment enough.

It's hard to understand why some people would separate themselves from God and effectively choose eternal damnation, when all they have to do is say that they accept Jesus as their savior. They don't even have to completely believe it, but just try to believe it or want to believe it. God doesn't care if you're completely sincere. He just wants you the SAY THE WORDS. And maybe eventually you'll believe them and when you get to the perky gates, God might let you in, for at least making the effort. God is very fussy. It's much more important to him that you say you believe in him than if you lead a good life.

According to Christianity, no matter how good a person you are, if you can't bring yourself to believe in God or at least SAY that you believe in God, then you're lost forever. So why not just do it? The rules are simple and spelled out. It's incredible how stubborn some people can be, even really nice people who you'd hate to see go to hell over such a simple thing. You don't even have to really mean it. Just say it.

[Anonymous]

PP. 's OK. Don't you go worryin' about me. Your God is a ridiculous, sycophant if he's going to look past everything else that's good about me and send me to hell
Because I didn't "just say it" when I didn't really buy it. You can keep him all to yourself.

[Anonymous]

Sorry sycophant is the wrong word. Vain douchebag is what I was trying to convey.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry sycophant is the wrong word. Vain douchebag is what I was trying to convey.

FWIW! I'm a Christian and don't agree with pp's viewpoint nor have I ever heard it put that way from a fellow Christian. Saying the words is most important? No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son went through a similar phase around that age. I think it's ok to tell your child that you don't have all the answers. I told him what we believed (agnostic/atheist) and what some of the other common religions believed in (afterlife, reincarnation). I also stressed that he was young and death was a long way off, it's not something that he had to figure out right away, and that his beliefs would likely change as he grew older. At the time he liked the idea of reincarnation, later he believed in Jesus, currently he thinks that there is probably nothing after death. He no longer has any existential angst about life/death. I think this is probably true for most people who are raised without religion.

In my opinion it the absolute wrong tactic to send your child to church. It may make her feel better temporarily, but she will likely question again when she is a teenager, and it will be far more traumatic to have to give up the fairy tale at that point (speaking from experience). If you never believe in an afterlife, there is no sense of loss later on. If she wants to go to church, that's a different circumstance, but I certainly wouldn't be the one to bring it up.

I don't understand this line of thinking. First of all, questioning people go to church all the time. And why do you assume that s/he will have to "give up the fairy tale?" What if your child's faith deepens? You may be describing YOUR experience, but that certainly doesn't happen to everyone.

Right, it doesn't happen to everyone - so why "send" a child who is not asking for a religion to believe in - to church. Why not tell her about all the ways people deal with the issue of the meaning of life and let her think through it instead of "sending" her anywhere as a solution. Right now her faith can't "deepen" because she doesn't have religious faith. Get it? religion is one thing she should be exposed to but not be told that a particular religion or faith tale is the answer.

You're right. The Holy Spirit will take care of that! We question, we knock... and the door is opened.

It sure sounds like all roads lead to Christianity -- the only true road. Yet somehow the world is filled with people who follow many diverse religions and no religion at all. I suppose a Christian would say they didn't question and knock correctly so the door to true understanding is closed to them. Too bad!

All roads to Truth lead to Christianity, yes. I wouldn't say people didn't knock correctly. I would say that their journey to a relationship with God is not yet complete

What if they die before they complete their journey to a relationship with God?

God's will be done

Exactly. God knows their heart and their mind. We don't.

Exactly, God knows their heart and mind and will send them to hell if he has to. He loves us so much he gave the free will to reject him and take his punishment, which he must mete out. It's part of his divine plan. Too bad more people don't see it. Especially in this country where so many people are educated enough to read His Word and know His Will. Yet more and more people here are falling away from God.

He doesn't "mete it out" as punishment. We each have a choice. You too, PP.

He gives us a choice between believing in him or not. If we decide not to believe, then he punishes us eternally. This is not much of a choice. This encourages people to try to believe or to say they believe, when they really don't. This is coercion and fear tactics for people who consider that the story of such a god might be true.

If you choose not to believe then you are already separated from God. Following your own way becomes it's own "punishment"

+1. God isn't punishing you. You're separating yourself from Him forever. That is punishment enough.

It's hard to understand why some people would separate themselves from God and effectively choose eternal damnation, when all they have to do is say that they accept Jesus as their savior. They don't even have to completely believe it, but just try to believe it or want to believe it. God doesn't care if you're completely sincere. He just wants you the SAY THE WORDS. And maybe eventually you'll believe them and when you get to the perky gates, God might let you in, for at least making the effort. God is very fussy. It's much more important to him that you say you believe in him than if you lead a good life.

According to Christianity, no matter how good a person you are, if you can't bring yourself to believe in God or at least SAY that you believe in God, then you're lost forever. So why not just do it? The rules are simple and spelled out. It's incredible how stubborn some people can be, even really nice people who you'd hate to see go to hell over such a simple thing. You don't even have to really mean it. Just say it.

No, sweetheart. There's a little more to it than that.

[Anonymous]

What more is there? The vilest person can truly believe in God and ask for forgiveness of their sins before dying and go to heaven.

But someone who was basically good their whole lives but couldn't believe in an invisible god pulling strings goes to hell.

Saying you believe in God might not be enough to get you in heaven, but if you say it often enough, you might start to believe it, so it ups your chances. Plus God might give you credit for trying to believe, so what's the harm in saying it, even if the whole idea seems far fetched?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry sycophant is the wrong word. Vain douchebag is what I was trying to convey.

FWIW! I'm a Christian and don't agree with pp's viewpoint nor have I ever heard it put that way from a fellow Christian. Saying the words is most important? No.

Just because you haven't heard it that way doesn't mean the basic idea isn't accurate. Besides, no one said the saying the words is the MOST important thing, but that saying the words is better than not saying them. WOuldn't you agree with that? People say things all the time that they're not completely sincere about just to be polite. Why not be polite to God?

[Anonymous]

Meh I'll count on one of the religions that gives me salvation fee death There are a few of those right?

[Anonymous]

Fee= after

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Meh I'll count on one of the religions that gives me salvation fee death There are a few of those right?

Judaism.