Re: unschooling religion
Julie Stauffer
We do. We used to attend a Lutheran church but it took a definite
fundamentalist turn with the new preacher so...
I sometimes drive the 30 miles to the closest UU church and the kids and dh
are free to come or not. We say blessings at meals and the kids often join
in. (The only rule is to be respectful, like sitting quietly while the
blessing is said if you do not want to join in). We talk of God, Jesus,
Wicca, atheism, Mohammed, etc. with the kids and whatever path they choose
will be fine with us. I believe that as long as you are seeking the "higher
power" whether you call that God, Goddess, enlightenment, etc., then the
"higher power" will find you.
We belong to a very fundamentalist support group, a group that started
their own girl group because Girl Scouts wouldn't openly discriminate
against gays. The ladies were shocked that I told them I would have to
discuss joining their group with my then 10yo dd because we have no problem
with people being gay, but it kind of set the stage for my relationship with
these people. I have always been very proud and very straightforward with
the members about my religious and educational beliefs and practices. There
are a few families that suddenly don't speak to us but for the most part, we
have been very much welcomed. I was allowed to write a little article for
the support groups newsletter, "A day in the life" kind of thing, and was
contacted by another family that is interested in beginning unschooling. I
was asked to direct the teen drama group's Spring play and run 3 4-H
projects with kids from the support group. I teach karate and much of my
student base is made up of kids and adults from this group. Of course, I
also would gently but insistently not allow any of them to "dis" my family.
Mostly it is ok, sometimes my kids feel sorry for the other kids who can't
celebrate Halloween, can't have a Christmas tree because mom just discovered
it had pagan roots (no pun intended), can't watch Harry Potter, can't date
but must court, can't play because haven't finished PE, can't dance, ad
nauseum.
Julie
fundamentalist turn with the new preacher so...
I sometimes drive the 30 miles to the closest UU church and the kids and dh
are free to come or not. We say blessings at meals and the kids often join
in. (The only rule is to be respectful, like sitting quietly while the
blessing is said if you do not want to join in). We talk of God, Jesus,
Wicca, atheism, Mohammed, etc. with the kids and whatever path they choose
will be fine with us. I believe that as long as you are seeking the "higher
power" whether you call that God, Goddess, enlightenment, etc., then the
"higher power" will find you.
We belong to a very fundamentalist support group, a group that started
their own girl group because Girl Scouts wouldn't openly discriminate
against gays. The ladies were shocked that I told them I would have to
discuss joining their group with my then 10yo dd because we have no problem
with people being gay, but it kind of set the stage for my relationship with
these people. I have always been very proud and very straightforward with
the members about my religious and educational beliefs and practices. There
are a few families that suddenly don't speak to us but for the most part, we
have been very much welcomed. I was allowed to write a little article for
the support groups newsletter, "A day in the life" kind of thing, and was
contacted by another family that is interested in beginning unschooling. I
was asked to direct the teen drama group's Spring play and run 3 4-H
projects with kids from the support group. I teach karate and much of my
student base is made up of kids and adults from this group. Of course, I
also would gently but insistently not allow any of them to "dis" my family.
Mostly it is ok, sometimes my kids feel sorry for the other kids who can't
celebrate Halloween, can't have a Christmas tree because mom just discovered
it had pagan roots (no pun intended), can't watch Harry Potter, can't date
but must court, can't play because haven't finished PE, can't dance, ad
nauseum.
Julie
[email protected]
In a message dated 11/7/02 10:56:53 AM Central Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:
<< I do believe that I am quite spiritual, but I don't know what church I
belong in or if I do belong in any church. >>
Same here!
I like Unity for that reason....it doesn't preach any doctrine or anything.
Just there as an aid in your personal spiritual journey.
But I don't go to church anymore either.
Ren
[email protected] writes:
<< I do believe that I am quite spiritual, but I don't know what church I
belong in or if I do belong in any church. >>
Same here!
I like Unity for that reason....it doesn't preach any doctrine or anything.
Just there as an aid in your personal spiritual journey.
But I don't go to church anymore either.
Ren
[email protected]
In a message dated 11/7/02 11:45:25 AM Central Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:
<< Does anyone know of any good reads on the origins of the different
religions? >>
I don't know of a book specifically about many world religions, but a great
book for children (and adults!) is the DK one called "Celebrations" in their
"Children just like me" series. It shows wonderful, full color photographs
of regular kids in other countries and talks about their biggest celebration.
From Carnival in Brazil to Rahsha Bandhan in Suman, you get a feel for many
cultural celebrations and the beliefs surrounding them. Which involves a lot
of religion in many cases.
It's a great intro. and the beautiful photographs make it a lot of fun.
Ren
[email protected] writes:
<< Does anyone know of any good reads on the origins of the different
religions? >>
I don't know of a book specifically about many world religions, but a great
book for children (and adults!) is the DK one called "Celebrations" in their
"Children just like me" series. It shows wonderful, full color photographs
of regular kids in other countries and talks about their biggest celebration.
From Carnival in Brazil to Rahsha Bandhan in Suman, you get a feel for many
cultural celebrations and the beliefs surrounding them. Which involves a lot
of religion in many cases.
It's a great intro. and the beautiful photographs make it a lot of fun.
Ren
Ingrid Bauer/Jean-Claude Catry
< Does anyone know of any good reads on the origins of the different
religions? >>
Usborne books has a pretty decent new full-colour book called "World Religions" or "Religions of the World" --covers all the major world religions and some smaller ones.
ingrid
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
religions? >>
Usborne books has a pretty decent new full-colour book called "World Religions" or "Religions of the World" --covers all the major world religions and some smaller ones.
ingrid
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Roslynn
I want to know how others help their children come to religion. I
have had books in the house about a few religions and read them to
the boys so when they hear things they are not confused and get
slammed with other people's opinions and told what to believe. (The
right or wrong thing) They have relatives that are VERY religious
and have felt a bit out of place (cousins telling them they are
going to hell because they don't believe) and I try to tell them
that MANY people believe in various things and whatever they choose
to believe is fine. Last year Justice was of a Shamanic nature
while Credence loved Jewish traditions. This year their best friend
has made it quite clear that they *need* to believe in god and the
boys made a decision to attend the AWANA program with their friend.
I have no problems with this because they do have fun and it's their
choice, but I do hate that to get the merits they have to memorize
things that they don't really believe in. They ask me if it's ok
that they don't believe but still go because they like to play the
games and get the candies and are now confused about what to
believe. They think just because this group is telling them to
believe that they somehow have to even though they don't want to. I
don't know how to help them get over this peer pressure. Any advice
would be greatly received.
Roslynn
Oh they are only 8 and 7 years old.
have had books in the house about a few religions and read them to
the boys so when they hear things they are not confused and get
slammed with other people's opinions and told what to believe. (The
right or wrong thing) They have relatives that are VERY religious
and have felt a bit out of place (cousins telling them they are
going to hell because they don't believe) and I try to tell them
that MANY people believe in various things and whatever they choose
to believe is fine. Last year Justice was of a Shamanic nature
while Credence loved Jewish traditions. This year their best friend
has made it quite clear that they *need* to believe in god and the
boys made a decision to attend the AWANA program with their friend.
I have no problems with this because they do have fun and it's their
choice, but I do hate that to get the merits they have to memorize
things that they don't really believe in. They ask me if it's ok
that they don't believe but still go because they like to play the
games and get the candies and are now confused about what to
believe. They think just because this group is telling them to
believe that they somehow have to even though they don't want to. I
don't know how to help them get over this peer pressure. Any advice
would be greatly received.
Roslynn
Oh they are only 8 and 7 years old.
Angela S
Sounds like you are doing o.k. by explaining that different people believe
different things. Do you believe anything? If you do, you could share that
with them too. I have come to realize over the years, that you can be a
spiritual person without being a religious person. I took my kids to a very
open accepting small church for a few years because I felt some sense of
duty to do it. (I am glad I was able to let that go.) They liked it while I
taught the religious ed, but when I had had my fill of that, they decided
they didn't want to go anymore, so we stopped. My kids went to Awana with
some friends for a while and it made me really uncomfortable. I was there
with them when they explained to them (around Halloween) how witches are
real and you could have someone who is a witch living right beside you, how
a witch is a worker of the devil etc. It was scare tactics to get them to
believe what that church believes and that started some interesting
conversations between us but it made me very uncomfortable. They went as
long as they wanted to but when they started to want to stay home, I didn't
push it. I was glad that they stopped.
I taught my kids to pray (their own words, mostly thankful prayer) because I
feel prayer helps me to focus on the positive in my day. They enjoy the
ritual of prayer before bed. They know that different people believe
different things and if they want to explore different religions one day,
I'll help them to do that. When I was finally able to let go of the guilt
of not going to church, it felt so good, so freeing. If you had asked me if
I went because I felt a sense of duty, I might have said no, but it was
there, beneath the surface somewhere. I don't believe that God, in all his
power, could be a jealous or angry or vengeful god who would be angry if
you missed Sunday service. Those are human traits that we've put upon our
image of God.
Just my opinion, obviously,
Angela
game-enthusiast@....
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
different things. Do you believe anything? If you do, you could share that
with them too. I have come to realize over the years, that you can be a
spiritual person without being a religious person. I took my kids to a very
open accepting small church for a few years because I felt some sense of
duty to do it. (I am glad I was able to let that go.) They liked it while I
taught the religious ed, but when I had had my fill of that, they decided
they didn't want to go anymore, so we stopped. My kids went to Awana with
some friends for a while and it made me really uncomfortable. I was there
with them when they explained to them (around Halloween) how witches are
real and you could have someone who is a witch living right beside you, how
a witch is a worker of the devil etc. It was scare tactics to get them to
believe what that church believes and that started some interesting
conversations between us but it made me very uncomfortable. They went as
long as they wanted to but when they started to want to stay home, I didn't
push it. I was glad that they stopped.
I taught my kids to pray (their own words, mostly thankful prayer) because I
feel prayer helps me to focus on the positive in my day. They enjoy the
ritual of prayer before bed. They know that different people believe
different things and if they want to explore different religions one day,
I'll help them to do that. When I was finally able to let go of the guilt
of not going to church, it felt so good, so freeing. If you had asked me if
I went because I felt a sense of duty, I might have said no, but it was
there, beneath the surface somewhere. I don't believe that God, in all his
power, could be a jealous or angry or vengeful god who would be angry if
you missed Sunday service. Those are human traits that we've put upon our
image of God.
Just my opinion, obviously,
Angela
game-enthusiast@....
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/29/05 10:28:54 PM, rroseacademy@... writes:
<< I want to know how others help their children come to religion. >>
We talk about religion and churches and philosophies, but it hasn't been to
try to help them come to religion. We have several kids' books, and some of
those would be great for adults too. Usborne's Religions of the World (I
think, some Usborne dealer feel free to name it and give us a price and e-mail, if
you want <g>) is very clear and wonderful, and deals with art/iconography even
in the borders of the pages of the different sections which is a valuable way
to show the depth of a religion's effect on the culture in which it exists.
You can find your own religion or notice which are very foreign just by
flipping the pages of the book and not reading a word.
-=- I don't know how to help them get over this peer pressure. Any advice
would be greatly received.-=-
My kids think the pressure is just silly. And it plays out in very silly
ways. Holly has a friend who's the most religious person in her family of five.
The mom is my friend, and she's the least religious of the five, which is all
very interesting in itself. <g> The friend indicated that her dad didn't
want her listening to a certain song, so I turned off the radio. The horribly
offensive song in question? "Under the Boardwalk."
When she was over during the season that Holly and Marty were playing the
Harry Potter cardgame, they wouldn't have dreamed of bringing it out while she
was over, but when a mention came up in passing (like "We can't play Tuesday
because of the card tournament" or "I know that family from Harry Potter days"),
the friend would hum loudly and look pointedly away to mask the very sound of
the words, or the very contact with someone who had had contact with something
about Harry Potter.
Still, what they had in common made the relationship worth it for Holly.
It's dropped off since, but from other factors. That's fine.
Here's something about Holly and the Bible. She really likes religious
questions and traditions, and is curious about them as history and human factors.
She's asked lots of questions after certain Simpsons episodes that touch on
church and the Bible.
http://sandradodd.com/dot/hollybible
Sandra
<< I want to know how others help their children come to religion. >>
We talk about religion and churches and philosophies, but it hasn't been to
try to help them come to religion. We have several kids' books, and some of
those would be great for adults too. Usborne's Religions of the World (I
think, some Usborne dealer feel free to name it and give us a price and e-mail, if
you want <g>) is very clear and wonderful, and deals with art/iconography even
in the borders of the pages of the different sections which is a valuable way
to show the depth of a religion's effect on the culture in which it exists.
You can find your own religion or notice which are very foreign just by
flipping the pages of the book and not reading a word.
-=- I don't know how to help them get over this peer pressure. Any advice
would be greatly received.-=-
My kids think the pressure is just silly. And it plays out in very silly
ways. Holly has a friend who's the most religious person in her family of five.
The mom is my friend, and she's the least religious of the five, which is all
very interesting in itself. <g> The friend indicated that her dad didn't
want her listening to a certain song, so I turned off the radio. The horribly
offensive song in question? "Under the Boardwalk."
When she was over during the season that Holly and Marty were playing the
Harry Potter cardgame, they wouldn't have dreamed of bringing it out while she
was over, but when a mention came up in passing (like "We can't play Tuesday
because of the card tournament" or "I know that family from Harry Potter days"),
the friend would hum loudly and look pointedly away to mask the very sound of
the words, or the very contact with someone who had had contact with something
about Harry Potter.
Still, what they had in common made the relationship worth it for Holly.
It's dropped off since, but from other factors. That's fine.
Here's something about Holly and the Bible. She really likes religious
questions and traditions, and is curious about them as history and human factors.
She's asked lots of questions after certain Simpsons episodes that touch on
church and the Bible.
http://sandradodd.com/dot/hollybible
Sandra
Roslynn
I am an atheist.
They know what I believe, and I think I have made it clear why I
believe the way I do. But I think it's more important for them to
explore what they might believe in. I would rather they come to their
own beliefs because they feel it in their being instead of because it
was what they were taught.
Thanks for the advice.
Roslynn
--- In [email protected], "Angela S" <game-
enthusiast@a...> wrote:
They know what I believe, and I think I have made it clear why I
believe the way I do. But I think it's more important for them to
explore what they might believe in. I would rather they come to their
own beliefs because they feel it in their being instead of because it
was what they were taught.
Thanks for the advice.
Roslynn
--- In [email protected], "Angela S" <game-
enthusiast@a...> wrote:
> Sounds like you are doing o.k. by explaining that different peoplebelieve
> different things. Do you believe anything? If you do, you couldshare that
> with them too.><snip>
> Just my opinion, obviously,
>
> Angela
Roslynn
>(ros said)I want to know how others help their children come to
religion. >>
>hasn't been to
> We talk about religion and churches and philosophies, but it
> try to help them come to religion.This is the way they are leaning and I want them to feel open
about it. I am an atheist so when I say come to religion I say with
meaning of finding what they might believe in. Not necessarily
believing because they don't have the option to be an atheist. I am
sorry about that one, I could have easily made that more clear the
first go around. ;)
We have several kids' books, and some of
> those would be great for adults too. Usborne's Religions of theWorld (
Sounds wonderful, I have a local Usborne book person here
somewhere. Thanks for the heads up on this one!
Roslynn
Danielle Conger
==Sounds wonderful, I have a local Usborne book person here somewhere.
Thanks for the heads up on this one!==
I've also really enjoyed the Dorling Kindersley books on religion. We
have the Religions of the World book and the Children's Bible, and we've
checked out Buddhism and Islam, I think it is, from the library. They've
all been very interesting, packed with information and very well done, imo.
--
~~Danielle
Emily (7), Julia (6), Sam (4.5)
http://www.danielleconger.com/Homeschool/Welcomehome.html
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"With our thoughts, we make the world." ~~Buddha
Thanks for the heads up on this one!==
I've also really enjoyed the Dorling Kindersley books on religion. We
have the Religions of the World book and the Children's Bible, and we've
checked out Buddhism and Islam, I think it is, from the library. They've
all been very interesting, packed with information and very well done, imo.
--
~~Danielle
Emily (7), Julia (6), Sam (4.5)
http://www.danielleconger.com/Homeschool/Welcomehome.html
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"With our thoughts, we make the world." ~~Buddha