posted on March 30, 2001 01:57:15 PM new
mivona: Amen!
Something I've always found 'funny': It is usually the conservative 'types' who want organized prayer in the schools. Ok. But aren't those the same folks who keep saying that teachers are doing a horrible job in general? Why would they want people who they obviously feel are worthless teaching religion. According to them, teachers don't do anything right now.
It couldn't be because they are just trying to pass the buck? Naw.
posted on March 30, 2001 01:59:55 PM new
mivona: Well, now you've gone and made me all weepy. I may just have to hop 'across the pond' and give you a big hug!
posted on March 30, 2001 02:47:27 PM new
Mivona - wouldn't you know the site is down a couple of days for maintenace.
jt was answering my post about Christians wanting only Christian Religion taught in schools. My impression was that she believed this program taught other religions and that I was wrong. In fact that is true, but I think they do it for the wrong reason. I put some of the information in my previous posts (don't know if you read them).
It still amounts to only the Evangelical Protestants way is the right way. All the other religions teach false beliefs and foolish ideas. That's exactly what they said!
posted on March 30, 2001 02:54:54 PM new
Yes, I did read your posts, and I am sorry I was not quicker off the mark to go and look at the link.
Comparative religion should not be (in my opinion) about the relative validity of each religion, but looking at the origins of its beliefs in a non-judgemental way. It is not the place of the curriculum to "teach" what is the correct belief. It can point out the logical flaws that arise when looked at from different value perspectives, it can look at the social structure that the religious was created from.
But to determine which one is "right"? Arrogant and laughable.
posted on March 30, 2001 05:47:43 PM new
Well, in this thread, at least we've managed to get past the nonsensical lunatic slogans of the far-right Fundies. All that shouting was hurting my ears! Really.
I learned a long time ago that:
a) you can't change a Fundie's mind about the nonsense that they believe in;
and b) it isn't safe to wean them off of their beliefs and onto the facts.
The reason being is that the Fundies that I've met (yes, I used to go 'round and 'round with them all the time) seem stable-minded, but if you remove their weird fantasies that they are clinging to, they shatter.
I advocate real mental health and treatment for these folks, not the crack-cocain version of Christianity. I feel badly for the ones whom I forced the facts to in the past because I badly wanted to show them how werid and wrong thier ideas were. I feel bad because I nearly had several commit suicide because I quoted them bible verses that contradicted their hard-held beliefs. I don't feel that anyone has the right to take them apart from their belief system without the proper medical and mental help right there. Who wants to think about that last proof of fact that you shoved in someone's face and they killed thmself right afterwards?
So, when you get these outrageous ideas being posted in messagebaords - the really outrageous ones, please think about simply ignoring them if they do not want to be educated.
posted on March 31, 2001 12:00:41 AM new
Choco, Sorry I was out. You are correct that I haven't come here often except this thread caught my attention. I am quite tied up with a weekend long garage sale too so forgive me.
You are also correct that SL takes an evangelistic approach. It was initially created by two moms for missionaries abroad who needed materials for their children in foreign lands and grew in popularity to include many homeschoolers. I read what you posted from the site, however in my use of the materials, I have found nothing to suggest that other religions were "foolish". It seems to present them more as "factual" while also using many biographies of missionaries and other leaders who had a stong Chritian belief. I have seen nothing negative in any of my reading about other faiths in their materials as they use "whole books" and not books written by themselves. Naturally a Chritian will train children in Christianity and a Hindu will raise their kids with their belief system, etc.
On another note, I will say this about Christianity. Christians are sinners by birth, by the very fact of their humanity. They stubble and fall too no matter how hard they try. Others claim the title but are not even vaguely attempting to strive for Christlikenss. I view no other religions as "foolish". I do not wish to "impose" on others such as in a school setting. I homeschool so I can teach what I believe without violating others rights.
One thing is most misunderstood and often distorted about Christianity. If Christians are to "love your neighbor as yourself" , much of that "love" is and should be that if they TRUELY BELIEVE that without Jesus Christ there is no salvation, then they MUST share their faith. It is not a "haughtyness" or "superiority" or a "condemnation"...it is a deeply held belief combined with genuine love for others. (I have already heard all the arguments about what the "church" has done to harm mankind. The "church" was often WRONG.) It was also the last command of Christ and an absolute in their belief.
So try, if you will, in your (general "your" ) examination of/contact with Christians to see their "evangelizing" as a deep and sincere LOVE...rather than an imposition or a condemnation. You do NOT have to accept it. That is your GOD GIVEN right. But try not to condem someone for sincere care for you nor for practicing what they belive to be Christ's last and most important command to them as a people.
The "church" fails (and therefore Christians with it) in one area in a major way..and that is GRACE. "ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." "Christ loved us (ALL humanity) and died for us while we were yet (STILL) sinners". To condem others (anyone) is to place oneself in a position superior to God and that is sin.
I write this not in an attempt impose my beliefs on any who freely chose to reject them, but to try and increase understanding.
I will be away for a while and unable to reply. Sorry. I have enjoyed talking to you all.
Admitted sinner and recipient of truely undeserved grace, Terri
posted on March 31, 2001 01:43:28 AM new
That's cool, Terri... you sound like you would desist when told to stop worrying about my soul. Others are not so minded, and seem to expect to be have to be told by every "unsaved" individual in the whole world to leave off. That is wearisome.
