You know.. I’ve never liked politics very much…it brings out the ugly in people… sort of like religion. I hesitate to ever put it on my blog, yet I find I’m drawn to wanting to know what others are thinking…and yet the answers still shock from time to time.
Discuss a religious or political idea on any forum and you’ll get a heated debate whether you asked for it or not. Both are supposed to bring solutions and harmony… and yet these are the two subjects that bring the worst out in people. I’ve spend alot of my life avoiding the controversies of both.
A friend put her concerns on facebook yesterday…. her 16 year old son told her he’s not sure he believes in God, that what he has learned in school about evolution makes more sense. It saddened her, because she raised him to love and believe in God, and she wondered what the school was teaching him. My immediate thought was… ummmm… Evolution? Same thing we’ve all been taught, no?
You would not believe the fire and brimstone that befell that post. One woman actually said “only the saved go to heaven!”… another.. “PRAY PRAY PRAY for him!”… “FIND HIM A GOOD YOUTH MINISTER QUICK!!”… as if the poor boy had done something horribly wrong and was headed for certain doom. He has quite simply learned some things about life, believes in the proof of evolution, and he is questioning the religious beliefs he’s been taught. Is this such a horrible thing? He’s paying attention and asking the questions. Shouldn’t we all, regardless of our conclusions?
As I’ve gotten older I realize the importance of paying attention and asking the questions. I wonder how many people are paying real attention to what exactly they are voting for, when they choose a political candidate.
Believe people when they tell you who they are.
– Enough said.
Seems to me it's an open door for her (a mother) to discuss ideas and concepts with a child. Nothing wrong with that!
Lee Anna
i believe in being open-minded and EVERYONE needs to find their own faith and beliefs. i was raised catholic but my mind was opening and questioning it as early as 2nd grade when i couldn't believe the nun when she told us if our bus crashed on the way to school, i'd have to find a puddle and baptize my lutheran friend before she died or she'd go to hell… oh, get real, people! God is not so exclusive, and if you believe he created all things, then why not believe he created evolution, too?! all things are possible, aren't they?
my son who had always been involved in the church started questioning his faith in High school. I was very upset and wondered why..he still questions things and now I have learned that I wat him to questin things, I want him to be a leader not a follower..he has done so much research on the matter that he knows more about the bible than most. So now..I am just a loving mom, sitting back and watching and waiting. This is his journey and just like the day that sparked the change in him, there might be another day that turns him back to the Lord. I pray for him and I listen to him..thats all I can do
I think at the time of many religious documentation, there was not the knowledge as to how the world is and works….for heavens sake, finding out the world was round was a big deal. Without the science of explanation, folklore filled in. That doesn't mean that Religion taught untruths, merely, it explained things in the only way they knew how at the time. There are many people who are good Believers but can't accept all the teachings, rather respect them for the time and context they were written in. Is it worse to teach your child to distrust science?
Now see, you've got the debate going….
There is nothing like a differance of opinion to bring out the scariest parts of a person. That being said… I have three children over the age of 16. Not one of them thinks the way I do, they are all brave, smart and independant and MAKING them believe something because I say so would be like herding cats.
In high school, a teacher told us that she believed in evolution and her dad was a pastor. Over time and years of talking to her dad, she adjusted her belief. She believed that God did create everything but that God's time is differant than ours, and maybe God's day to create man was actually 2 billion of our years, so it looked to us(with a 24 hr day) like we evolved. I'm not saying I believe that theory or not, just that people can go through a process of discovery before they find out what they believe for themselves.
I believe that it's a good thing for people to have personal convictions and to have the courage to actually stand up for those things. Jesus Christ is my Savior and I can talk about that all day, but also I would rather agree to disagree then argue and point fingers for the sake of being "right". No one gets anything out of that! 🙂
Politics have never been something I'm particularly interested in, but I do like to watch the debates so I can form my own opinion before the media does! It's never easy to talk about controversial topics.
Blessings,
Leslie
Now, see.. folks… your comments are awesome.. and give me a faith of my own. Thank you for joining in on the conversation….
I personally worry about those who don't question what they are being told…regarding religion or politics. Following blindly is a poor way to follow IMO.
A long time ago, I heard this phrase " Don't make someone show you who they are TWICE"…..especially if they are no so nice.
It is good advice.
I agree about politics and religion…it makes people nuts….and best left alone.
I can talk to you, and some of my friends, because we think alike.
Thank goodness.
Both are very touchy topics to discuss. I'm not political, so I don't even dare discuss that, however, I'm very spiritual and can understand the struggle that mother is going through. One of my boys has always been one to research his own facts and form his own opinions, which are vastly different than mine. When the subject comes up and he's given the opportunity to explain why he thinks the way he does, he makes a lot of sense, even if it doesn't change my mind, nor I his.
Karen, well put and I'm glad you were able to put it out there. I don't even want to scroll through what folks left as comments, and sometimes I'm up for a healthy discussion and sometimes I'm just too worn out to listen to people rant and rave. I know what you mean about just wanting to shy away from the controversy sometimes. I think that lady should be proud to have raised a critical thinker, I think it's vital and sometimes we just get apathetic and believe whatever is around us. If this makes any sense?
A lot of folks are discussing a lot about American politics these days and I'm always stunned at the mud slinging, it's very different than how things are here. Not meaning we are better, it's just different. I am just hoping people get as involved in our own politics instead of getting caught up in another countries because it's almost entertaining to them.
Yes, pay attention and ask questions. Amen.
You are brave to post this but it looks like you have a lot of thoughtful readers!
When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.
Maya Angelou
One of the very simple things I try to live by and the perfect quote for this post. I think it says it all.
My take on the whole subject is. If a child takes on every belief of the parent, the parent has not done a good job raising that child. A child has to explore and come to their own conclusions, and become a free thinker. That is good parenting, in my book, anyway.
I've enjoyed reading this, Karen, and also the comments. Good post!
As for religion, I don't talk about my feelings, belief's much, and wouldn't want to get into a debate. I just know what I know is right for myself, and have known that since I was l3 years old, and have never wavered even when I've done so many things wrong in my life.
I do enjoy watching the kids that have been in my life growing into their own persons and beliefs.
Leaving you with this: the time that Hunter when she was about 3, at mealtime that night she made the sign of the cross and said:
Father, Son, Holy SPRIT!!
Have a wonderful day; we're still house hunting.
xoxo
I don't understand the fearful responses some people make! Isn't it better to have someone who questions and thinks rather than someone who never thinks for fear of having to really sort through things? I don't get it. I do get that it's fear speaking. I understand that. But I don't wish willful ignorance on anyone. Surely there's a way that faith and science can co-exist?
xo
Claudia
I am very political. And I have my views on religion. I don't talk much about either of them here because I, like you, don't enjoy seeing the ugly side of people.
I'm bossy enough without getting in a debate with peeps that won't LISTEN as you said.
You said it best; paying attention and asking questions.
And yes – people tell you who they are. My momma always said, listen to what people do, not what they say.
W e have had a similar thing happen to us.I was brought up to believe whatever my Reverend says.My husband believes in asking questions to make his own choice.Oh boy did this cause problems.All fixed now though-love dee x
Questions are always a good thing, I think. I also think a lot of people give their opinions when, in reality, opinions don't mean spit.
If one calls them self a Christian, they should know what the Bible has to say about it and then say what the Bible says…not their opinion.