[connie-mom]

He died and then came back to life? When and how and why?
"on Jesus death, remember Jesus rose from the dead, so why he experienced death he did not stay dead, So God the Father knew this and that his son was taking the suffering of the world, and was doing the final defeat of death for us"
And I have no idea what that is supposed to mean I have never read the bible and the one time I did go to a church I didn't understand what a... I don't know what its called but a kid got dunked in water was and laughed out loud and got into trouble.. I didn't understand what they were doing or saying so I thought it wa like a play or something and I thought it was the funny part I never thought in a million years they would put someone in a big water tank put a cloth over his face and dunk him..

I felt so bad after its was explained to me but I feel so uncomfortable in a church lol I was even going to be married in an out door meadow because I din't know anything about the whole god says its OK for you to be married thing so we had a guy who can marry people do a special wedding thing for us with our own vows.

I am not saying god is real or not real no one really knows for sure but its what church people believe in that I find hard to take in I have no problems with gay or lesbians I have no problem with any kind of race or anyone who worships anything if someone wants to worship the devil then it's their beliefs its kind of weird but hey to them god is weird so how can we judge others? Oh and I am totally not judgemental I take everything and see the good side but also try to see what could be different if it's a bad situation.

[connie-mom]

OK what tree and why was it bad t eat the fruit? Why would they go to hell for eatting fruit?

And he sent his son to keep us out of hell if we are good right?

Question if god is a virgin how did jesus come along who did he have a kid with to get a son?

[Fr_Chuck]

I am sorry what county do you live in, I am now believing this to be a joke, since anyone I know would know what a baptism is, being dunked in water, it is a sign that you have accepted Christ and a very serius time but one where you can be filled with joy also. Some denominations may yell and shout in joy, others are quiet and prayerful.

Again, we were not trying to convert you, only talk about the ability of your children to go to church.

The issue is you did not ask what was happening, if you don't understand you ask.

next not all churches have problems with gays and lesbians, now for others have problems with the sex aspest. For that it is a moral value issue.

Remember it is not judging, it is comparing their life to the rule book that God gave us, the bible. And no one can expect you to know what is right if you have not read it.

[savedsinner7]

OK what tree and why was it bad t eat the fruit? why would they go to hell for eatting fruit?

and he sent his son to keep us out of hell if we are good right?

question if god is a virgin how did jesus come along who did he have a kid with to get a son?

Connie, the answers you are looking for are in the sites I posted above. Please look.

[Fr_Chuck]

OK what tree and why was it bad t eat the fruit? why would they go to hell for eatting fruit?

and he sent his son to keep us out of hell if we are good right?

question if god is a virgin how did jesus come along who did he have a kid with to get a son?

Have no idea, bible tells us fruit, could be a banana, a apple or pear or some type of fruit not here today. It was bad because God said not to do it, a rule, limitation on what man can and can't do

No, we are good becaue we are suppose to be, we stay out of hell by accepting Christ as our savior,

Jesus was born from a women called Mary, God by his power made her pregnant without having sex. Mary being a virgin at birth is an accepted fact even by the muslims, it is that accepted as a fact.

[zyi]

Connie I would let them explor my mom never went to church but she believes in god. When my brother and I asked to go to church she took us there and picked us up. She always encouraged us to find our own truth. I went to all kinds of churches. I even explored into the pagens and even budisim a bit lol. I eventually desided that I couldn't believe any of it. My brother on the other hand believes and goes to church with his wife regularly. So my theroy is give them all the options and let them decide what they want to believe, because they will anyway but at least they will have all the options and all the sideds of the coin.

[John in Montana]

No, we don't go to heaven because of our good works... that sounds like something you and I would expect... But all of us are sinners and we sin daily. Thus it is through God's grace that he loves us... and sent his Son... His love is unconditional... Thats hard for us to comprehend...

[connie-mom]

OK this is no joke... I just have no understanding of church stuff and I know what a baptism is but could not remember what it was called.. growing up I was never told or talk to about god or church... I did at one point want to go to church but my mother forbid it and as a grew up and did a lot of science I grew to grow from the god factor..

I did go to the links and they were nice but I have no idea what they were talking about with salms and those number things I don't remember what they called them but it created so many question too.

Is mary the girl at the last supper or the manger christmas girl really confused there. I thought it was marry and joseph? And I really don't understand to whole magic thing I know some call it a miracel but its still magic but later the church killed people for doing supposed magic. Or am I wrong there too?

[savedsinner7]

Connie, if you go to BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 50 versions and 35 languages. you can type in the psalms numbers and find what it says.


Go here to learn more about Jesus Jesus Christ

This is a Bible online you can listen to Audio Bible Online

And if you go here, there is a short video you might like.nooma rain


This skit shows what God will do to try to reach us. GodTube.com - Please view the comments. Lifehouse Everything Skit.


I hope you take the time to search these sites. Kelly

[zyi]

These are complicated questions, and for every answer one gives another will give an oposit. I usually don't talk about religion cause it starts up a long three hour lectuer that I don't want to hear. Basically If you read the bible it totally contridicts itself, some people say it doesn't but if you read it it does. And many people at least were I live use the "King James Version" lol which was literally his verision of what he thought the bible meant (I find that a laugh). I've had so many people try to explain why that it says one thing here and why it says the oposit there. But I came to realize first it's cause it was translated into english, and second people take it to mean what is right or convieniant for them. I myself don't believe, but I do happen to believe that religion is good for people that wouldn't be able to make it threw their lives without something to believe in. It is also good for teaching morals, which the youth of today need, but you can teach them that without beliving in god. Even though I don't believe I do believe that for some it is a good thing to have religion. And I believe that it is good for children to be able to chouse for themselves.

[Choux]

My opinion is that teaching a child religion is child abuse. That is probably a minority opinion on this board. There are lots of wonderful children's literature you can read to your children that would be so much better for them.

[Angel_Wings]

At first I was going to respond with hopefully helpful info.

After reading to the end, I do believe this person is not really interested in answers. 'Her' responses and glossing over of the help offered, only serve to keep the thread and the controversy going.

I believe in God.
I don't believe this thread is for real.

... hope this person gets the HELP they need!

[JoeCanada76]

I also agree with the above post. I was going to answer the question as well but after reading through I felt the same. This thread is not for real.

Joe

[jillianleab]

I don't know, Jesushelper and Angel; being an atheist myself (though I don't have kids) I can see being torn about what to do when your kids want to investigate religion. I can also see being torn and or hesitant because of the perceived inconsistencies in the bible (I know you don't see them that way, but others do).

I think it is wonderful to expose children to religion. It's important for kids to learn about the different cultures and belief systems in the world in order for them to understand others and be tolerant. Look at all the hate in the world because of people having different beliefs - if they bothered to learn about the other's faith, perhaps they would not be so angry and intolerant.

Since you said they went to a youth group event, I have to wonder if they are interested in church/god or if they just had fun playing with peers and doing whatever activities were at this event. If that's the case, maybe you can arrange some play dates for them at a local park (I'm assuming your kids are young) so they get the socialization. If they are expressing interest in religion, perhaps you can see what churches are in your area, and do some learning, with your kids, about those particular denominations. Tell them "these are the churches in town, and before we pick one to go to, let's learn a little about each one" and spend some time with library books or (credible) web research about each one. Don't forget to include other belief systems too; just because there is no Hindu temple doesn't mean they can't learn about it! This will be a good time for you and your kids to learn about the different faiths (or no faith, atheism) and decide what is right for each of you.

Is it possible for the friend who took them to the youth group program to take them to church, or to other programs? Your post indicated you are uncomfortable with this idea, so I defer to my original suggestion; spend time learning about ALL religions with your kids - that will help them make up their own minds, and might help answer your questions as well.

Beyond that, if you turn religion into a study session your kids might get turned off it forever! :p (KIDDING!! )

[macksmom]

I agree with Jillian.

My mother raised me in the Lutheran Church (still really don't know what that is), but while it gave me knowledge about the religion, it still didn't make me believe in it. But I think it was okay for her to do.

Now that I have a daughter my mother and I have bumped heads on certain issues. My mother assumed I would get my child baptized, because that is what she did to all of us. She was shocked when I said I wasn't doing it. I told her I don't believe in orginial sin and I cannot commit to raising her in the church, so why would I have her baptized?

But it's not just Christianity I don't involve her in. When I go to my meditation groups at a buddhist temple, I don't bring her. I don't push my beliefs on her either.

It is normal for her to ask about god, as it is a widespread belief. And I tell her what people believe. I believe a child should be educated on all beliefs, and have a good understanding of them. When my daughter is older, she can then decide what she believes in.

I would not refuse her anything just because of what I do or don't believe in.

If she asked to go to church, I would let her, and I would go with her if she wanted me to. If she wanted to be baptized, after learning the meaning behind it, then I would allow her to do so.


A person should not believe in a particular religion just because their parents did, and their parents parents did, etc.

I will allow my child to make the choice for herself, and I won't stand in the way of that.

[NowWhat]

I would imagine that your kids want to go back to church because they had fun when they were there. Yes, they are learning about things that you, yourself, may not fully understand. But to them, they just had fun.

What would be the harm in letting them go back? And it seems as if you have a ton of questions yourself. Maybe you could use this opportunity to learn something together.
Seek out the answers to all of these questions.

[De Maria]

Hello my name is connie and I have 3 kids. My daughter who is 3 wants to go to church so does my 6 year old son... But I am neither chirstien or anything else I was never raised around religion So what do I do

I believe that God gave you your children so you would care for them the best way you know how. It is really your call.

However, if you, personally want to know a bit more about Christianity, I can answer your questions from a Catholic perspective.

I am not into the whole church thing its not that I am a non beliver but I like to do my thanks to the things that deserve it!

I don't really understand that statement. The only response that comes to mind is that I feel the same way, except I believe God is He that deserves all thanks.

And I have no idea about anything in the bible so please no quoting I really won't get what it is supposed to mean sorry.

OK. Believe it or not, I understand the sentiment exactly. Been there.

but I would really like to know what you think

I think the children are yours, raise them up in a loving atmosphere, sacrifice for them and give yourself to them. This is what God asks of us, there is an old saying, "No one loves more than the one who gives his life for the one he loves." Give your children your life.

and why you pray to god

Because I owe Him so much. I awakened to the presence of God when my wife became pregnant with our first child. I realized that I had nothing to do with it. I mean, I had fun that night. I enjoyed every second of it. And then, a miracle.

Does anyone really believe that life happens by accident? I used to, then I realized, it simply can't. Only a super intelligence such as God could possibly make life come about.

And so I began to praise and thank God for ALL He had done for me.

and what church means to you?

At first, very little. Then, after I came back from atheism, I studied my Scriptures and Catholic doctrines and I realized that the Church is God's vicar on earth. She is God's mouthpiece. God speaks through Her to guide us through the dangers of life.

So, I began attending out of duty. Now, Church has become my extended family. People there have seen my children grow up, they love my children and look after them.

I hope that helps.

Sincerely,

De Maria