|
 Last
month we published a catalog of problems found in inherited
religion (“Where Did We Fail?”). Surely you don’t expect
the answers to all of that? We may have started something we can’t
finish. But we must try! It doesn’t relieve our
feelings, or responsibility, to know that other generations of
parents have had these problems, and many have failed.
Parents
and the church (another “parent” psychologically) have more
or less absolute control over the small child in early teaching
situations. Then is the time to remember it will not always be
this way. If we exercise this authority in such a way as to fail
to prepare the child to think for himself in the years ahead, we
fail the child. His childish questions demand more than a
laughing dismissal, or even a “correct” answer that is over
his head. It is our job to find a means of leading him to
the answer, in keeping with his ability to reason. Be assured,
he will one day think for himself — when we can no longer
dictate the outcome.
We
must avoid the use of “party loyalty” in order to “keep
him in line.” We tell adults they must be faithful to the Lord
rather than to “the church,” but we must remember that to a
child “God,” “Jesus,” and “the Bible” are party
figures, until clear distinction is formed in his concepts. Some
think we have soured our children on “the church” by our
struggle with liberalism. On the other hand, these critics
become a bit hazy when asked how a liberal, social gospel
concept would lead our children closer to true Christianity.
I
do not see how it could hurt my child to learn that his dad had
faith in the Lord and in
|
|
His word, and that he fought
unselfishly for what he thought was right and true. But HOW he
fought — that is another matter. It is very possible that our
children see through our carnality. We must “tell” them with
something more than words, that we do love our enemies, and love
the Lord more than we love our pay checks. Often the “hard
line” fanatical parent is simply repeating their parent’s
attitude, inconsistently, and with vengeance.
We
must swallow our pride and acknowledge that no person or
congregation is perfect. We do not have all the answers,
we are not free of human traditions (nor are all
traditions harmful). But we do have the media and means of
searching for truth, and we must instill our children and pupils
with faith in God’s word, and a genuine spirit of inquiry.
Research classes (learning to use study tools) are especially
appropriate for active young minds, and may greatly improve
adult classes. The answers are available, and the humility and
trust we show in searching will build faith.
Yes,
it is easier (for the time) to “whip” children (and adults)
into line with arbitrary pronouncements. The few and inadequate
suggestions above call for better teachers, better preparation
of each lesson, more training in teaching techniques, etc. The
teachers can say, “I quit!” and parents can pretend they
have no such problems — but we go on losing our children, and
judgment will demand a reckoning. What will we then say?
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
