Kids telling my DC they are going to H#LL - Page 3

[Snugglebunnymama]

3. Assuming most people on this board are religious, would you want to know if your child was saying this to another child? And if you knew, would you be happy or unhappy about it? I don’t mean that snarky—I am honestly, truly curious to know if very religious folks would feel some pride in knowing that your child was, in a way, professing his faith and/or beginning to evangelize?

Well, I would like knowing that they are comfortable sharing their faith with others. What would NOT be ok, though, would be the way they went about it. So, I would not be happy about that and we would be having a discussion about 'tact' and 'inappropriate times to talk about things'.

That being said- *I* haven't told my kids about Hell, because 1) I don't want to scare them and 2) I'm not even sure where *I* stand on the issue myself. I think I lean toward believing in hell.... but still, I don't want to scare them. Thus, if they knew about it, part of our conversation would go that route...about how they are scaring people and even though they may believe in what they are sharing, it's inappropriate the way they are going about sharing. We would also discuss a better way to share this....perhaps inviting them to church and EVENTUALLY the topic may come up again, and THEN it would be an ok time to talk about it. Something like that.

[LotusBirthMama]

Originally Posted by Kirsten

In regards to the OP, I think I'd explain to my kids that hell is a place that people made up to scare their kids/future generations into believing in religion/god. It isn't real - not to worry if someone says you go there if you don't believe. That it is just a scare tactic, though some people will choose that as the hill to die on so don't get into an argument over it. People will believe what they want to believe.

I find that to be a pretty narrow minded thing to teach a child. And pretty disrespectful of others religious beliefs. I may not believe in Buddha, but when my son aasked me questions I took the time to do some research and explain to him what Buddhists believe w/o saying "Well, these people made this stuff up, see?" To teach you child that people that believe in hell only do so to scare their kids into submission is, IMO, awful.

I happen to be a Christian. I also teach my kids about other beliefs and religions. I simply say, "While Mommy believes this, there are some people that believe in X,Y,Z" without making a judgement as to why they believe the way they do.

[waiflywaif]

I think of "made up" a little differently. I would never say any religious belief was "made up" to scare people---that makes it sound manipulative and dishonest. But I do believe that religions (all of them) are stories that groups of people tell themselves about the world and our place in it. None is "more true" than any other. So I don't really have a problem with telling my children that something was "made up" because it doesn't mean that they can't respect it *as a belief.*

[LotusBirthMama]

Originally Posted by waiflywaif

I think of "made up" a little differently. I would never say any religious belief was "made up" to scare people---that makes it sound manipulative and dishonest. But I do believe that religions (all of them) are stories that groups of people tell themselves about the world and our place in it. None is "more true" than any other. So I don't really have a problem with telling my children that something was "made up" because it doesn't mean that they can't respect it *as a belief.*

I totally agree with what you are saying, but there was no tone of respect in the poster I quoted.

[nataliebassoon]

In response to question 3:
From my point of view, telling kids they are going to hell does not qualify and "evangelizing" and I would be so disappointed in my kids if they did that. To me, the Christian faith is all about love, and telling someone they are going to hell is not loving. So while I might be proud of my kids for "evangelizing", they would have to be loving people in order for it to qualify.

[mommy68]

3. Assuming most people on this board are religious, would you want to know if your child was saying this to another child? And if you knew, would you be happy or unhappy about it? I don’t mean that snarky—I am honestly, truly curious to know if very religious folks would feel some pride in knowing that your child was, in a way, professing his faith and/or beginning to evangelize?

I couldn't imagine any parent being proud of their child telling another child they are going to go to hell but that's just my opinion. : I attend a Baptist church but if I found out my children were saying something like that to other children then I would be embarrassed. My 6 yr old is taught not to use words like "hell" in the first place. Why on earth would a kid even want to bring such a topic up in the first place? I personally think the parents probably push them to do it.

I would probably talk to the teacher about it and then if it kept on happening then I'd figure out who the parents are and talk to them. It's either that or have your child tell the other kids what "they" believe in so they will stop bothering them. Maybe those kids will go home and tell "their" parents what your child is saying. We all have choices in life and the other kids need to realize that too (and perhaps their parents do as well).

[philomom]

This subject is very hard for me. Having been the victim of "too much god" in my early life... I blissfully raise my kids without any divine teachings. Just be kind, be truthful, be yourself. And yes, we did run into the kids who spouted this garbage even in kindergarten. I told my kids that those kids had been brainwashed and that their parents had told them lies... we feel sorry for them... but we don't play with them.

I moved to another part of the country recently that is more liberal. I'm so glad we don't run into this filth anymore.

[boobybunny]

It has happened to my child. We did go to the principle, and they did put a stop to it. I also put a stop to the singing of "god bless america" at the school wednesday morning patriot session... too bad I could not stop the the pledge... it is part of nclb funding.


Atheistparents.org is a pretty good place to start for information. I have not been on there in ages... but there are some pretty decent people there... just keep away from the bipolar posters.