We go to church every Sunday, but I wouldn't say that I am your every day Christian. I have come to believe things that are not standard Christian believes based on reading the Bible as well as many books about the Bible and my own personal experiences. I am worried that as I am teaching my daughter about who God and Jesus are to me that if she repeats these things people might tell her that we are both going to hell. (For example, I don't believe in hell or the devil and I don't believe that Jesus was literally the son of God or that he died for our sins or that he then resurrected.) I believe that everyone is entitled to believe what they want to believe and their everyone has their own spiritual journey where they discover these beliefs. I think diversity is wonderful and vital for the existence of the human race. Whatever my daughter believes is fine with me. I just don't want people to scare my daughter into thinking that we are going to burn in hell.
2007-06-03 14:01:06 · 17 answers · asked by Alicia 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The more your community is filled with fundamentalist christians the more your child will have to hear of these threats and condemnations.
Teach her what you believe. You can't refrain from teaching her your beliefs just because there are others who will tell her she's wrong.
Teach her that there are people who disagree and think that God punishes people horribly. Ask her if she believes that God is that mean. That will help her understand not only that you don't agree with the hellfire and damnation sorts, buy WHY you don't agree. That's a good background to help her reject that sort of meanspirited religion.
If you believe things that are rare in your community she is going to have problems at some point. You can't prevent that, you can only equip her with the tools she needs to understand and withstand the damnation that others will threaten her with. Finding others who believe as you do will help. you might want to try the Unitarians, for instance, if there are any where you ar.
2007-06-03 14:08:50 · answer #1 · answered by thatguyjoe 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So, this hasn't happened then and you are worrying why?
In your teaching you could add that some people may find our beliefs offensive...but they are entitled to their beliefs (in keeping with your whole theory) since diversity is vital to the existence of the human race. Right? So what's to worry...you don't believe in hell...so these people can do her no harm. They are only being diverse.
If this is what you think, then stop pretending by going to church every Sunday. Be tough...stand up for what you really believe and teach your daughter the same. You can't have it both ways.
As a devout Catholic I have had people tell me I'm going to hell, that I worship idols and Mary, etc. Doesn't phase me a bit.
2007-06-03 14:13:49 · answer #2 · answered by Misty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
whatever you tell your daughter (she may take quite seriously) yet as she gets older she will understand God in her own way...
my mother taught me about Jesus when I was four years old and when she did It became a very vivid memory to me and almost a light that I can see all of the time.. that I will always remember..
I am not sure if you are Christian with what you are seeing or feeling, though I cannot say for sure either,, what i am saying is christianity is the belief that Jesus is The Son ,the Son of God ..in flesh(God Almighty ) just as your daughter is a peice or part of you in all ways , it is so and is written in the bible..
anyway.. Maybe as advice I would say maybe tell her about what you believe, rather then saying it is factual or the way it is.. but help her to understand many people fell differently about God.. and when she is older she may havethe desire to read or understand more on her own.. it is difficult , but at least you are introducing her to the fact ,that there is a God and that for many many many many years people of the earth solely relyed on him((( rather then of todays technology and mans ways ....
as far as hearing about hell, it is put into every ones ears more then once so it is not anything new, but it also might open her eyes and mind to understand more of what there really is ....
please read this
http://www.spiritlessons.com/Documents/BillWiese_23MinutesInHell_Text.htm
2007-06-03 14:16:11 · answer #3 · answered by ... 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your beliefs are nearly identical to Thomas Jefferson's. He didn't believe that Jesus was the son of god either. Just tell your daughter that some people are just not good Christians and that she should ignore them. Remind her that they don't speak to or for god. And tell her that she can believe whatever she thinks makes sense and that no one has the right to tell her otherwise. By the way, I'm an atheist, but that shouldn't make this advice any less reasonable. Good luck.
2007-06-03 14:11:30 · answer #4 · answered by seattlefan74 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should tell your daughter the truth. That you have made your own decision to believe in what you believe, but that she can make her own choice. If you tell her a lie, you will just make it worse for her down the road. And if she comes to the knowledge of the truth (which all people will) you risk making you relationship with her that more difficult. Hell and condemnation "never" bothers a person who is in relationship with God, because you know that your relationship is secure with God. Okay, take care.
2007-06-03 14:56:38 · answer #5 · answered by super saiyan 3 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I were in your position (and I'm sure I will be someday) I would tell my daughter that those are just people who are trying to scare her into believing the same thing as them. Explain to her that some people believe that there is only one way to believe in God, but you know that God would not condemn her, a precious child, to such an awful place. No father could do such a think. Tell her God loves her just like you do and that, just like you, He would NEVER send her to such an awful place.
2007-06-03 14:28:11 · answer #6 · answered by Phoenix's Mommy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My friend, no man has the right to tell anyone that they are going to hell for that is judging. The only one that can judge us is the one that holds the keys to Heaven & hell in His hands. We will all be judged when the time comes, do not be afraid of what man says because it is only words that they mutter that is meaningless.
You love your daughter, and that is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Love). One day you will find the truth, maybe your daughter will be the one to lead you their?
Keep seeking and you shall find.
God bless you and your daughter, may you find what you are looking for.
2007-06-03 14:19:38 · answer #7 · answered by The missionary 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You could explain it to her just as you just did to us.
I don't believe in a literal hell, either, although I do believe in a literal satan.
I am wondering, though...if you don't believe that Jesus is Who He claims to be, or that He can do what He said He did, why are you a Christian to begin with???????
2007-06-03 14:08:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If in your heart you know the what the business of hell is truly all about, you will be able to relate truth to her and she will recognize on a sub-conscious level the sincerity and truthfulness of your heart, and so will be delivered from the lie.
2007-06-03 15:19:35 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get your daughter saved. no offense, but believing that Jesus was the Son of God and that He died for the sins of the world and was resurrected is a very key part of christianity. be born again, trust me.
John 3:3
so what do you tell your daughter? I suggest you say "serve the Lord, be born again, and don't worry about it"
2007-06-03 14:14:35 · answer #10 · answered by Hey, Ray 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋