Educating our Kids

There are a lot of interesting things to think about that don't really matter.  Like what makes the sunset mostly red or why we only see the constellation Orion in the winter in this hemisphere.  I mean, they do matter in the grand scheme of the world, but not necessarily in my world.  Or the questions like Is God omnipotent and changeless?  Because if he is then why does he rule differently today then in the old testament?  Not to say that there is a right answer but interesting topics to discuss.  Discuss - not debate.  Talk about in a respectful and loving way.  (Sometimes I have discovered these kinds of topics can lead to hurt feelings or uncomfortableness among some present...sorry! We didn't mean it!)

And then there are the things that matter that I simply rejoice that other people know and take care of that I don't really understand or want to know about.  Like the laws.  I like to vote, but I don't want to be a politician.  I want to elect someone whom I have faith in and be able to say thanks or please don't do that.  Scientific research too!  I don't want to stare at petri dishes trying to find a cure to cancer but I'm really glad someone else does!

There are however things I do care about that do matter.  For one, my faith.  God has touched my life in such an amazing way I want to share it with others.  I can only imagine as a parent how much you would love your child and want to share the wonders of the world with them.  For many parents this includes their faith.  So the question to discuss here is should you, the church, or anyone indoctrinate kids?

I can see both a yes and no answer to this.  There is a common thought today that well... I just let my kids decide when they get old enough.  (falling on the no side)  Yes, faith is a personal decision.  Yes, kids often follow the values of their parents and other role models around them.  If the ideas are shared and presented.  But, we don't let our kids (mostly) decide when their bedtime should be, what is good for them to eat and not, how much TV to watch, what is appropriate to wear or say... the list goes on.  It's just a part of parenting.  We teach kids what is good and right and what is bad and wrong.  So why is faith questioned?

Well... faith or religion?

There is also many who teach kids theology that personally I think goes a little to far.  Yes, Jesus loves them and I agree kids should know that.  But I just watched the documentary Jesus Camp lately and was very distressed at some of the things happening.  I have read about Islamic extremist schools for young boys that teach the west is evil and a threat to peace and happiness and God.

Hitler also educated youth.  With propaganda they believed that still today makes many of us tremble.  So there are extremes to this question.  What do we teach kids about faith and God and the church?

I think that this is a fascinating question.  It came up in a discussion with my sister yesterday.  We were talking about God parents somehow and she mentioned how her and her fiance just touched the subject a while ago and he was not okay with me as a God parent because I am not catholic and they are.  We don't believe the same things.

Well yes and no.  Earlier in the conversation she laughed at me and said "why aren't you catholic?".  We share so many fundamental beliefs about God and faith.  That's why we are all christians!!  Yet we often don't know the truth behind the differences or over emphasis them.

I say teach the kids the truth of the gospel.  Use scripture for references.  And teach them the differences of the major faiths and famous religious people and what they said.  Saint Augustine is one of my favorite people - yes a catholic!  But I still love being a part of the United Methodist Church.  I also love Luther - (just saw the movie LUTHER as well - excellent!)

Bottom line - we all love God and have a very unifying message in his gospel.  Teach that to anyone with ears who will listen.

In peace,
your sister in Christ~Erin