by GinnyTosken 14 Replies latest jw friends
Teejay,
If you care about your daughter's self esteem, don't let her get too indoctrinated in the JW headset. It's hard enough for young girls these days, but with the second class citizenship of a JW girl, forget it.
What are you doing to entice your wife to miss meetings? Whatever it is, keep it up!
Anne
"When caught between two evils I generally pick the one I've never tried before." Mae West
teejay:
Anyway, I wonder if a child really needs to be indoctrinated with any brand of religion.
I don't think Ginny was advocating bringing up a child in any particular religious movement. What she wants to do is to give her child knowledge (about the plethora of religious thought) so that he can make his own informed decision regarding what is right for him.
An interesting article by an atheist regarding why he is giving his child a religious education can be found here:
http://www.secularsouth.org/show.php?column=facts_for_thought&story_id=21
CPiolo
edited for code
Teejay,
I agree with your friend. I believe that a religious upbringing is not essential to producing a healthy, well-adjusted adult. In fact, I believe that some religions produce quite the opposite.
When I see what JWs do to their children, even though I realize that their intentions are good, I wish there were laws protecting children from being subjected to damaging religious beliefs. In the realm of religion, children are still viewed pretty much as property. At the same time, I understand how controversial it would be for a government to decide which religions are healthy and which are not.
As I said, I do not want to indoctrinate my son; I want to educate him. I am thinking specifically of the Continuum of Influence chart from the Ethics of Influence site:
http://www.workingpsychology.com/ethics2.html
I want him to eventually decide for himself what he believes, with as much information as possible. Meanwhile, I'd like him to know what people are talking about when they mention Adam and Eve, Noah, the Flood, etc.
I usually work Sundays, but if I didn't, I would do as your friend does and take him to different churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples. Before I began working Sundays, we usually attended the Unitarian Universalist Church, which presents material from many diverse sources. I think a person can also feed this spiritual hunger by simply looking up at the stars, meditating, listening to good music, dancing, hugging, laughing, reading, etc.
So far, he is a kind little boy with a wicked sense of humor. I feel very lucky because besides loving him as my son, I also enjoy his company as a human being.
Ginny
Ginny:
A very interesting link. Thanks!
I think a person can also feed this spiritual hunger by simply looking up at the stars, meditating, listening to good music, dancing, hugging, laughing, reading, etc.
God (whatever your definition) or spiritual food is more in the experience and enjoyment of life than in any religious text or building.
Thanks,
CPiolo
CPiolo,
I was just writing you to say, "Great article! Thanks for sharing!" Is this mutual toadying or what?
I'll try here to display the link to your parenting article in clickable format:
http://www.secularsouth.org/show.php?column=facts_for_thought&story_id=21
Ginny
