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Is it possible god doesn't exist?
Why do the neighbors believe in different god (or religion)?
How long (what age) do I have to go to church?
Are we [this religion] just because gramma/grandpa were and their parents were, etc?
What's the difference between believing and knowing?
Any other interesting (or difficult) questions they've asked? How did you answer them?
I have had a few conversations with my kids about God, I think they understand that I believe in God, but I don't know all the answers on this one.
We talked about why we go to church, and why we are so bad at regularly going to church.
My one son asked what God looks like, that was a tough one because he was pretty young...he was very confused when I said no one has ever seen God. I had to explain that I think there is God, but no one is really sure what God is like. There are many different religions and we all believe different things. In the end I think he was satisfied, but little kids have difficulty with abstract things.
I also talked to my daughter about my religious journey of checking in on many different religions to find which one I thought fit me best...but that I wasn't sure if it was the best one.
Anyway, God is a tough topic for kids, as it requires belief in something you can't see, unlike Santa where you see all over the place...I think Santa is easier to believe in as a child than God.
We found some good examples to use in explaining our perception of god. One example is electricity. You cannot see it, but it is there. very powerful. A better example is love. You cannot see love. But oyu can feel it and see its impact on people and on the world. It is very powerful. It is not something you can touch or see, but you feel it you know it is there. God is the same. Perhaps that is because God IS love. Ultimately, they will make their own decisions and choices. You can teach them what you believe, explain what you know about the beliefs of others. Allow them to learn the tenants of religion form Sunday school and VBS. Read the bible with them. IN the end, they will make their decision. You are not likely to change it. If they are to come to God, they will find their way one way or another. If they will reject God, that is probably going to happen regardless of what you do. You can make it easier for them or harder, but one way or another, they will eventually find their own way.
Why do the neighbors believe in different god (or religion)?
As you (my kids) well know from speaking with them, the neighbors are typical ignorant Christians who haven't even read their own Bible.
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How long (what age) do I have to go to church?
You never have to go to church/synagogue but that is the only place where you will find moral people if that is what you want.
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Are we [this religion] just because gramma/grandpa were and their parents were, etc?
Not applicable, grandparents are atheists and catholics and we are neither.
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What's the difference between believing and knowing?
critical thought
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Any other interesting (or difficult) questions they've asked? How did you answer them?
The hardest question is why not conform to the modern world. The answer is that the modern world is depraved just as Israel was at the time of the prophets. The real answer to this question comes from reading the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament).
I often find explaining it to them in ways they naturally understand is best. When a child asks me about god I in turn ask the child about how (s)he imagines people when playing. This they understand.
I then tell them that "god" is what happens to adults when they forget how to tell the difference between what they imagined and what is real.
This generally puts it in perspective for them as Children are really very good at understanding just how real imagination can seem. So when you frame "god belief" in those terms they simultaneously understand you perfectly.... and are forewarned/inoculated against falling into the same traps themselves in their own future.
It also addresses most of the questions you just asked:
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Originally Posted by plmokn
Is it possible god doesn't exist?
Of course, in the same way as the heroes and villains in their games do not.
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Originally Posted by plmokn
Why do the neighbors believe in different god (or religion)?
The same reason as your friends imagine difference heroes and villains in their games as you do: Because everyone elses imagination and fantasies are different.
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Originally Posted by plmokn
How long (what age) do I have to go to church?
That is entirely up to your own parents until such time as you are old enough to make your own choices. As for my own children.... they will never go unless they ask to.
My 6 year old grand daughter ask me that very question awhile back, my response to her question was, do you want God to exist, all people have a view of there being or not being a God, but this choice is up to you. She ask me if I believe in God, I told her that yes I do believe in something greater than myself but not in the way allot of people believe in this God. So in the most loving way I could I explained to her my view of God, she replied, I like your God. I told her that is was good that she is asking questions and that she should keep her mind open to new things all the time, that if it doesn't feel right then most likely it isn't right.
Is it possible god doesn't exist?
Why do the neighbors believe in different god (or religion)?
How long (what age) do I have to go to church?
Are we [this religion] just because gramma/grandpa were and their parents were, etc?
What's the difference between believing and knowing?
Any other interesting (or difficult) questions they've asked? How did you answer them?
I adressed all of these questions with my child, not a difficult conversation. I told him exactly what I & his father believe, and what people from a variety of faith systems believe. I explained that the world is full of people with different beliefs and that he will need to determine his own beliefs throughout his life. My answers, in summary:
1) Of course. We all must figure this out for ourselves as individuals, for it is a question that mankind has wrestled with for thiusands of years. He will figure this out through reading, learning through education and life experiences, deep contemplation, listening to his heart, etc... Only he can determine what he believes to be the truth, and this may change several times throughout his life.
2) Because there are as many belief systems as there are people on this Earth. There are a few dominant religions (and then I describe them). It is important to understand a variety of belief systems because this will help him understand world politics and his fellow man. He may find that one religion "rings true" for him and embrace it, or he may not.
3) You do not have to go to church. You are absolutely allowed to attend any church, just let us know and we will take you (or you can go with a friend).
4) I explained all of the religions practiced by various family members. We (my husband and I) are not of any religion, though I have personal spiritual beliefs. My husband is an agnostic. His parents are fundamentalist Baptists, and my mother was raised in the Lutheran church.
5) Knowing comes from deep within. No one can give it to you or take it away. Sometimes believing is a choice -- someone chooses to believe a certain idea or concept even though they do not have inner conviction about it's truth. Some religions require that adherents embrace the beliefs and then pray for the inner knowing. Other religions emphasize a discovery of truth through direct knowing, whether that is done via the senses, mind, and/or heart.
Blue. I don't have kids, and probably won't, since I'm not lucky in love.
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Originally Posted by plmokn
How do you answer these questions?
Is it possible god doesn't exist?
Anything's possible, what do you think?
Why do the neighbors believe in different god (or religion)?
Everyone has different thoughts and feelings, and ways of looking at the world. They're entitled to theirs and if you find you don't agree one day, you're entitled to yours. This is why different religions exist, not to "test" us.
How long (what age) do I have to go to church?
As long as you want. Religion is a gift to yourself, not a duty.
Are we [this religion] just because gramma/grandpa were and their parents were, etc?
Some religions are based on family ties. Religion does define where we come from. But at some point, it doesn't stay that way. As you grow older, you may find that you become driven to seek out your own personal beliefs.
What's the difference between believing and knowing?
Atheists may at some point tell you that they "know" better than something, but that's crap. In this world, knowledge of anything is impossible, unless we are a Sage or spiritual being, and manage to remember between lifetimes. We're trapped in this reality, and therefore can't prove that conditions are different after death or not. Knowledge or belief that comes from the head is a delusion. Belief comes from the heart, and believing in all your heart is the closest thing to knowing in this world. But we must use our heads to determine truth or falsehood through logic, lest we delude ourselves with fallacious reasoning.
Any other interesting (or difficult) questions they've asked? How did you answer them?
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