Best way to teach kids about religion

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:. Even if he/she ends up on a totally opposite side regarding religion, it is his/her path.

An issue with some branches religion, is that there are strong societal forces (at least right now) encouraging kids to believe as fact some things (e.g., gay sex is an abomination, non-Christians suffer forever in hell) that some parents view as quite harmful, and not just a different path. Parents teach kids to avoid other behaviors and lifestyle choices that they consider dangerous. It seems that some religious choices would be included as well.

Can you specify which story exactly (from any religion) you find harmful for the child?

Following your logic about teaching to avoid other behaviors and lifestyles, do you think a Snow White can be potentially damaging because it teaches about young lady sharing the house with 7 men? Or Beauty and the Beast because it teaches disobeying the parent? Do you consider dangerous for the child to walk along in the woods and talk to the stranger, therefore you would never read to him/her Red Riding Hood?

But that's exactly why those stories were written: to teach lessons. Hansel & Gretel/Little Red--don't stray from the path & trust strangers. Snow White/Beauty & the Beast--kindness will get you everywhere. The Little Mermaid (HCA version)--don't give up what makes you you, just listen to your heart & jump into love, all of those things lead to death-by-the sea.

The original versions were oral tales told to children, usually in a gruesome way, to teach them about the world. And so goes many religious tales if you're a non-literalist or non-believer.

There are interpretations that some denominations make that can be very harmful to children – and adults. Being taught that it’s evil to live a “gay lifestyle” can lead you to hate gay people – and yourself, if you’re gay.

As for the fairy tales, I don’t personally have a problem with them, but can see that some people might. But still, they are FAIRY TALES., taught to everyone as lessons or stories and not as something that actually happened, that you must believe or be punished. No one is encouraged to believe a fairy tale, but many are encouraged to believe bible stories and the society at large treats them as fact.

I think it’s good for kids to know bible stories because they are part of the fabric of our culture – like greek mythology and fairy tales. But until the broader society treats bible stories the same as mythology and fairy tales, don’t expect children to assume they are just stories just because their parents say so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:. Even if he/she ends up on a totally opposite side regarding religion, it is his/her path.

An issue with some branches religion, is that there are strong societal forces (at least right now) encouraging kids to believe as fact some things (e.g., gay sex is an abomination, non-Christians suffer forever in hell) that some parents view as quite harmful, and not just a different path. Parents teach kids to avoid other behaviors and lifestyle choices that they consider dangerous. It seems that some religious choices would be included as well.

Can you specify which story exactly (from any religion) you find harmful for the child?

Following your logic about teaching to avoid other behaviors and lifestyles, do you think a Snow White can be potentially damaging because it teaches about young lady sharing the house with 7 men? Or Beauty and the Beast because it teaches disobeying the parent? Do you consider dangerous for the child to walk along in the woods and talk to the stranger, therefore you would never read to him/her Red Riding Hood?

But that's exactly why those stories were written: to teach lessons. Hansel & Gretel/Little Red--don't stray from the path & trust strangers. Snow White/Beauty & the Beast--kindness will get you everywhere. The Little Mermaid (HCA version)--don't give up what makes you you, just listen to your heart & jump into love, all of those things lead to death-by-the sea.

The original versions were oral tales told to children, usually in a gruesome way, to teach them about the world. And so goes many religious tales if you're a non-literalist or non-believer.

There are interpretations that some denominations make that can be very harmful to children – and adults. Being taught that it’s evil to live a “gay lifestyle” can lead you to hate gay people – and yourself, if you’re gay.

As for the fairy tales, I don’t personally have a problem with them, but can see that some people might. But still, they are FAIRY TALES., taught to everyone as lessons or stories and not as something that actually happened, that you must believe or be punished. No one is encouraged to believe a fairy tale, but many are encouraged to believe bible stories and the society at large treats them as fact.

I think it’s good for kids to know bible stories because they are part of the fabric of our culture – like greek mythology and fairy tales. But until the broader society treats bible stories the same as mythology and fairy tales, don’t expect children to assume they are just stories just because their parents say so.


First of all, there are no single bible story adopted for kids that talks about gays or gay lifestyle (I am not claiming to know them all, but I just have not seen any). Unless you bring it up in discussion with your child, it is simply not there.

As to the fact, some of the fairy tales are based on the event that are actually happened and just was told over and over. Same with the Bible stories, some of them made up as a lesson, some of them based on the historical events or involves actual historical persons.

I don't know why any parents would be concerned how the broader society treat some or other books. It is between you and your child. Or do you read to your child only the books that the "broader society" approves?

I would never, ever expect my children to assume something as truth just because their parents told them so. This is not natural for children. Our kids are encouraged to ask the questions, to look for other resources, to talk to other people. If you ever had a child, you should know that from the young age, they don't just take your answer, they will ask you thousand times per day "why?".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:. Even if he/she ends up on a totally opposite side regarding religion, it is his/her path.

An issue with some branches religion, is that there are strong societal forces (at least right now) encouraging kids to believe as fact some things (e.g., gay sex is an abomination, non-Christians suffer forever in hell) that some parents view as quite harmful, and not just a different path. Parents teach kids to avoid other behaviors and lifestyle choices that they consider dangerous. It seems that some religious choices would be included as well.

Can you specify which story exactly (from any religion) you find harmful for the child?

Following your logic about teaching to avoid other behaviors and lifestyles, do you think a Snow White can be potentially damaging because it teaches about young lady sharing the house with 7 men? Or Beauty and the Beast because it teaches disobeying the parent? Do you consider dangerous for the child to walk along in the woods and talk to the stranger, therefore you would never read to him/her Red Riding Hood?

But that's exactly why those stories were written: to teach lessons. Hansel & Gretel/Little Red--don't stray from the path & trust strangers. Snow White/Beauty & the Beast--kindness will get you everywhere. The Little Mermaid (HCA version)--don't give up what makes you you, just listen to your heart & jump into love, all of those things lead to death-by-the sea.

The original versions were oral tales told to children, usually in a gruesome way, to teach them about the world. And so goes many religious tales if you're a non-literalist or non-believer.

There are interpretations that some denominations make that can be very harmful to children – and adults. Being taught that it’s evil to live a “gay lifestyle” can lead you to hate gay people – and yourself, if you’re gay.

As for the fairy tales, I don’t personally have a problem with them, but can see that some people might. But still, they are FAIRY TALES., taught to everyone as lessons or stories and not as something that actually happened, that you must believe or be punished. No one is encouraged to believe a fairy tale, but many are encouraged to believe bible stories and the society at large treats them as fact.

I think it’s good for kids to know bible stories because they are part of the fabric of our culture – like greek mythology and fairy tales. But until the broader society treats bible stories the same as mythology and fairy tales, don’t expect children to assume they are just stories just because their parents say so.

First of all, there are no single bible story adopted for kids that talks about gays or gay lifestyle (I am not claiming to know them all, but I just have not seen any). Unless you bring it up in discussion with your child, it is simply not there.

As to the fact, some of the fairy tales are based on the event that are actually happened and just was told over and over. Same with the Bible stories, some of them made up as a lesson, some of them based on the historical events or involves actual historical persons.

I don't know why any parents would be concerned how the broader society treat some or other books. It is between you and your child. Or do you read to your child only the books that the "broader society" approves?

I would never, ever expect my children to assume something as truth just because their parents told them so. This is not natural for children. Our kids are encouraged to ask the questions, to look for other resources, to talk to other people. If you ever had a child, you should know that from the young age, they don't just take your answer, they will ask you thousand times per day "why?".

It's not a matter of the broader society approving, it's a matter of recognizing that society has an impact regarding religion irrespective of parents' influence.