What is more damaging to a child's Christian development? Rank these...?

Question

Fantasy books/movies/games that depict magic, etc...

Violent books/movies/games that depict realistic violence/war

Books/movies/games that depict sexual material of a non-pornographic nature (I think we'd all agree porn is damaging to everyone, especially children).

Books/movies/etc... with bad language up to and including the foulest of all, the Lord's Name in vain.

This question is posed because I know several people who freak out if their kid play Final Fantasy or see a little T&A but let their kids play violent games or watch violent movies. Or those parents who drop the JC's and GD's but reprimend their kids if they say "fart."

Answer 1

I'm a Christian. I simply do not understand some people's obsession with banning fantasy books and films. I'm a science fiction and fantasy fan, myself. There's nothing wrong with stimulating the imagination, which I feel that the fantasy genre does quite well.

Sex? Not afraid of it. Never have been. I'd rather see a bit of skin than to see brutality and violence. Demonizing sex while simultaneously promoting gratuitous violence is an obscenity in itself.

There's a difference between depictions of historical violence and violence for entertainment. But violence had a profound effect upon me as a kid. I was raised with a heavy dose of it. Then again, I didn't really understand certain aspects of World War II until I saw old footage of bodies being shoveled into mass graves with a bulldozer. I was just a kid. I cried. And I needed to. I needed to see that horror so I would understand what war was really all about. It's not about John Wayne and waving flags and singing "God Bless America".

Bad language isn't a huge concern of mine, either, but could potentially be slightly more damaging than the other things you've mentioned. Not that I'm a prude with language (you should hear some of the names my Christian father called me while I was growing up), but because if a child starts using foul language at an early age, they may keep the habit into adulthood and eventually be seen as incapable of expressing themselves by any other means than four-letter words. You've met those people, right? You can't take them anywhere without them using extreme profanity every five seconds, regardless of who's present. They're just too embarrassing. Cursing is one thing, but not having any idea of when to rope it in is another.

Answer 2

There's a concept in the Bible called "Christian liberty" where different Christians can do what they feel comfortable doing, even if another Christian might not feel comfortable with it.

With our children, we consider some things just plain poisnous to their minds, and we keep it from them. But we own a TV with cable, and go to some movies, and that sort of thing, so we're probably not like some other Christians. I don't condemn Christians that choose to or don't choose to do whatever as far as Christian liberty issues.

Answer 3

You are not weighing in a very important part of this equation, the child themself. Some kids are not prone to fantasy (concrete thinkers) and fantasy stuff won't harm them because they will never believe it. Others are like sponges and believe everything they hear so lies in the form of fantasy really can harm them. there are kids with anger problems that should not be exposed to violence and others who would not be that affected. a person should pray and ask for guidance from the HolySpirit over their family or......be really in tune with their children. Dogma never works because it doesn't cover the biggest issue of all.........the heart and soul of a person.

Answer 4

Don't let your children play shooting games, they will become trained killers, soon they'll start getting international phone calls, they'll borrow your car, and put large things in the boot, they'll probably open offshore bank accounts, buy a house in Cuba, and eventually obtain Dual citizenship with Russia.

Either that or it will give them something to do, instead of going out doing knock and runs, flaming bags, TPing, or graffiting at night.

Answer 5

A child's Christian development? Indoctrination is abuse. Quit abusing the children and let them grow up and make their own educated decisions.

The question you SHOULD be asking is how are these things damaging to any child's development.

Answer 6

i think a parent noes what is good for her child.it don't have to be a christian or non Christen.a good parent should raise the child in a wright way.so i cant Right any of these if you think they are wrong for your child they are but if you think they are bad then they are.good luck.

Answer 7

fantasy books/games etc I have no problem with at all

as for the others , it depends how explicit , how graphic and what age the child is
I screen things before allowing my children to watch or read

well said Father xxx

Answer 8

E) None of the above....rather it is Christian parents who do not adequately prepare their Christian children for the real world out there, and mistakenly believe that keeping them sheltered like little veal will protect them.

Answer 9

the most damaging thing to a childs christian developement is christianity

Answer 10

None. If children aren't exposed to the world, it will damage them even more when they grow up.