Comments on: Towards a Discussion of Religious Pluralism with a First Grader. Gingerly.

By: Absence Alternatives

Absence Alternatives — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:09:41 +0000

Thank you so much for these kind words and for the moral support. It’s been a challenge and something that keeps me on my toes…

By: Katybeth

Katybeth — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 10:53:46 +0000

What a beautiful conversation between you and your children. It takes a village but not everyone in the village has to believe the same way. Very wise, “Anybody, ANYBODY, that uses religion as an excuse to talk you out of thinking for yourself…”“… is wrong?” He finished the sentence for me.”

Kb
Katybeth´s last [type]…Gimme a High FiveChocolate Cashew Day

By: Absence Alternatives

Absence Alternatives — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:33:54 +0000

Thank you so much for reading this post and for leaving me such a supportive comment! We all try to do the right thing, and you are right, a rule book is also something I often wish for. But of course, who gets to set those rules right? I guess we are fortunate enough in a society where we get to ponder, and suffer (like me!) from anxiety on how to deal with all these conflicting messages. It’s what comes with the freedom we sometimes take for granted. Imagine in a world where there is no alternative way in seeing the world!

By: Jana@Attitude Adjustment

Jana@Attitude Adjustment — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:59:15 +0000

Wow, what a post! I feel so honored to hear about how you are dealing with these complicated issues with your children. It’s so hard to try to convey the complexity of the world and complexity of people’s beliefs when even adults don’t want to accept complexity. Often, people want information, or a rule book on how to live, handed to them.

I think you did a great job. And your kids sound like they’re reaping the benefits!
.-= Jana@Attitude Adjustment´s last blog…Why We Read Blogs =-.

By: Absence Alternatives

Absence Alternatives — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:42:48 +0000

Thanks for the kind words. I really didn’t mean to fish for compliments. You all are too kind really, and I am grateful to find such support in the Blogosphere. Sometimes I suspect that I am just overthinking it, overtheorizing everything. It’s my own neurosis and I am just blaming it on parenthood. If he was worried about my going to hell? I’d say that anybody that says anything like that is not being truthful. “Thou shall not judge.” I will try and explain this to him, you know, the whole “throw the rock if you are innocent” thing. I will also need to break the bad news to him: I am not going to heaven with them at any rate. I am coming back, baby! (i.e. reincarnation) Actually, I have no idea what’s going to happen to me after I die…

By: Jennifer Lynn

Jennifer Lynn — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:47:02 +0000

Everyone has been commenting on how great a mom you are and how cool your kids are….but I already know all that;)……after reading this post, I just felt heavy. Weighed down as if covered by too thick of a blanket. What incredible responsibility and pressure….yet it is, in my view, what we are really here for……raising up moral children to walk in our stead when we are gone. A daunting task, but worth the ride, I am sure!

What would you have said if he WAS worried you were going to hell?
.-= Jennifer Lynn´s last blog…Pretty Ginkgo–Not Pretty Stink-o =-.

By: submom

submom — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:53:33 +0000

This is me! Commenting from my BB: I re-read the article again, and I changed my mind: I agree with Hamilton. I didn’t know Jesus Christ = God. (Trinity: so I thought The God = The Father and NOT the Son. Am I missing something here?)

By: Absence Alternatives

Absence Alternatives — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:42:58 +0000

You are too kind really. I didn’t mean to brag though. (But now I think about it, it does seem like a “backdoor brag” (a la Jenna on 30 Rock) Ooops.) It is so difficult indeed when I myself am confused!

By: Absence Alternatives

Absence Alternatives — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:39:28 +0000

LOL. I love the website! Genius! I like this general guideline: you don’t have to tell kids everything, but everything you tell them should be the truth. Thanks much! Thank you for the encouraging words: please don’t make too much out of what I say to my children: they were often said under duress, and I was just grasping whatever that ran through my mind. I often refer to “google” as in “Why is the sky blue? I have no idea. Let’s google!” Only that tough questions such as “what does gay mean?” cannot be answered by google. Someone should write a Liberal’s Guide on How to Answer Tough Questions. I will be the first one to buy it!

By: Absence Alternatives

Absence Alternatives — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:30:02 +0000

I know: I am so worried that I should have kept it simple and not felt the urge to tell him everything…