This verse always bothered me
Mark 10:15
"I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Children believe in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny... children believe whatever you tell them, hence the continual indoctrination that takes places in countries with Islam, or Hinduism as the main religions...
How does it make sense to believe things without questioning, or to believe things without gauging it against previous experience or knowledge?
2007-09-12 08:51:28 · 22 answers · asked by vérité 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
thats ryt .. they believe .. and if they are lied to thats very wrong ... but if you tell them the truth its very right ..
2007-09-12 08:59:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
To say children believe whatever you tell them only insults adults who lie to children.
Children have naturally inquisitive minds. Where do babies come from? Why does fire burn? They absorb everything they can, they have the most room to grow.
Adults presume to know better, hence their apprehension towards a deity who knows better than them.
Any mature christian would tell you that gauging their faith against previous experience would only reinforce their faith.
But that open-mindedness of children is what God looks for, not the arrogance and pride of an adult who is cynical about every "truth" they hear.
2007-09-12 16:22:57 · answer #2 · answered by drew 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whosoever shall not receive - Whosoever shall not manifest the spirit of a little child.
The kingdom, of God - The gospel. The new dispensation by the Messiah, “or the reign of God through a Mediator.”
As a little child - With the temper and spirit of a child - teachable, mild, humble, and free from prejudice and obstinacy.
Shall not enter therein - Shall not be a Christian; shall not be a “real” member of the family of Christ on earth. though he may be a “professor,” and shall never enter heaven.
2007-09-12 16:03:56 · answer #3 · answered by BrotherMichael 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I never celebrated any holidays, nor believed in the tooth fairy. In fact, the only reason children are better is because they are blunt. If they think you are ugly, they aren't going to say you seem to have lost wait, they tell you the truth. Adults tend to have "higher levels of diplomacy". You know what I mean, I think I have said enough, children are more sincere, humble, and noble.
2007-09-12 16:02:44 · answer #4 · answered by Tony C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I trusted God (finally) , He delivered on His promise to send the Holy Spirit. I am not a Pentecostal, and was trying to be ready for anything, which included nothing, but I didn't get nothing, I got the spiritual awakening that all my dreams and out of body experiences before could not match combined.
So you might want to consider that some people have witnessed the fulfillment of God's promises. And they are telling you about them, as I have just done.
2007-09-12 15:58:31 · answer #5 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jesus also said, In Matthew 11, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure."
It is not by our own intellect that we come to know God...it is by His Spirit. Those who are open and willing to receive it, and not so rooted in the traditions and habits of this world, will be more able to accept the wisdom of God which is far above that of man's understanding.
2007-09-12 15:57:02 · answer #6 · answered by whitehorse456 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You would be correct if your assumption were the only definition for a child. How about... innocent, trusting, brutally honest.
I've been taught to question everything in my Christian beliefs and I teach my 5 year old daughter the same thing. It is possible to question and still be a Christian.
2007-09-12 15:58:16 · answer #7 · answered by mel 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't have to make sense to you, as long as it makes sense to me. I like to call it faith. Just because I have never seen lightning strike a person doesn't mean it has never happened. Yes, I have seen lightning so I know it exists.
God has answered my prayers and has comforted me in hard times of my life. He has given me strength when I was weak, weak of both body and mind. I have felt his power. Therefore, I know he exists.
2007-09-12 16:00:35 · answer #8 · answered by GiGi! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Children are innocent. They love. They laugh. They care. They end up learning hate later in life. That is why we should be like children. We should be pure of heart.
2007-09-12 15:59:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religions learned a long time ago that indoctrination should start at a very early age.
2007-09-12 15:57:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Child-like heart.
The heart of a child is just so wonderful... I am Gods child at heart..... and why should that bother anyone?
Children question everything... that is not what is translated here.
2007-09-12 15:56:17 · answer #11 · answered by sassinya 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋