[[Keep in mind, I'm an atheist, but am assuming the role of the Christian in this question, in order for it to be written in a way that people will easily understand.]]
I'm not sure about the rest of you, but in my experience, every young child experiences the fear of a "monster" under the bed, or in the closet.
A child has no proof that it exists.
The child is afraid of it.
The child in question believes, truly and fully, that the "monster" is there.
Now consider this...
We have no proof that God exists.
We fear God.
We believe, truly and fully, that God is there.
Hrm...interesting.
When our children fear the monster under the bed, we help them to understand that it does not exist, and we comfort them.
But when our child fears God, we encourage it.
o.O
2007-09-15 11:37:47 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
David--oh, didn't you hear? We all just prayed for it to go away.
Oh, wait.
Prayer doesn't work; I forgot.
He's probably still there.
If you want, you can go play with him. He needs friends.
2007-09-15 11:45:28 · update #1
Zap--MURDER IS SIN!
NO KILLING!
REPENT!
PRAY!
Or, pray they'll die.
Tehe.
^^^^^^^^^Before anyone freaks out at me, this detail addition is totally and entirely a joke.
2007-09-15 11:49:01 · update #2
Craig--yes, I am, in fact, reading your mind.
I'm special like that.
Tehe.
2007-09-15 11:52:20 · update #3
Are you reading my mind?
This is why Im afraid to admit whether or not I believe in God. If im wrong to believe in it and fall under the control of religion, I would have wasted my life. If Im wrong to NOT believe in God, well....I do like warmer weather....
I honestly believe the religion is a way to control the masses and a pretty effective one two.
It is based on fear. Do wrong and you will forever stuffer. Do right and you be rewarded forever. = Boogey monster eats bad people. ITS the same THING to a child. The only difference is they still believe it as they grow up and it turns to faith.
FAITH=FEAR
2007-09-15 11:50:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Keep in mind that I too am an Atheist as I make a stab at how I think a christian might answer. Kids need to fear a god so that they will behave and develop good morals and ethics. If we don't threaten them with something like eternal damnation they might become evil. Reality is just too hard to deal with so we invent a way to get around the finality of death combined with a life full of injustices. We believe that a promise of eternal life in paradise will accomplish this objective. Sounds good, no? So we combine the threat of damnation with the anticipation of reward if they just behave. That is the difference between our god and your monster. The monster only promises evil, while our god promises evil only if you’re bad. The monster has no promises of eternity in paradise. Our god does.
Unfortunately this threat and promise are totally unnecessary because people can live a moral and ethical life void of these sill, childish, and dangerous concepts. In fact, religion is the most powerful device ever created by those who KNOW to control those who BELIEVE. It serves as the psychological soil upon which other myths can flourish. The parents are victims of their own punishment. Brainwashing is not funny.
2007-09-15 20:32:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
My child has no fear of monsters!
Psalm 19:9
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
Romans 8:15:
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2007-09-15 18:59:34 · answer #3 · answered by jojo9 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
My husband and I don't teach our kids to fear God, anymore than we teach them to fear us. We teach them that God should be respected and we should do as he asks, but he will always be there for us when we need him. We represent God as more of a parent for everyone, and not so much like the monster under the bed.
2007-09-15 18:49:29 · answer #4 · answered by ◦Delylah◦ 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I never understood why we should fear God, then it was explained to me like this.
The fear of the monster under the Bed in the childs eyes can hurt us and even kill us.
The fear we have towards God is of a different nature, it's a fear out of respect and love. We love God so much that when we sin we fear that we has his children have let him down.
2007-09-15 18:44:36 · answer #5 · answered by newwellness 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I have plenty of proof that God exists. Many life experiences and tons of manuscripts that validate the bible. We fear God in a respectful way, not in a frightened way. It's different. So, my point is, God IS real and the monster isn't. Don't teach your kids to believe something that is fake, teach them to believe in the God that is real and loves them.
2007-09-15 19:21:44 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
To begin with children of God (believers) we don't fear God. I have two children, both boys, they are not afraid of the dark, they don't think there are monsters under their beds. Unless children are exposed to these things they don't fear them. I never exposed them to things that are of the dark side (I call it). I didn't let them watch scary movies and things like that. People tend to fear the unknown, and as a believer I have no reason to fear God, and neither do my children.
2007-09-15 19:10:04 · answer #7 · answered by sparkplug 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Are you talking about the "fear" talked about in the Bible? If so, the meaning of the word fear as mentioned in books of the Bible such as Psalms, encouraging people to "fear the Lord," is not a fear like fright or being scared. It means reverence for God, because he is so powerful and awesome. It's an encouragement to not take him lightly. I'd love to elaborate if you'll ask more questions. I don't want to bore you with my long answers...
Peace
2007-09-15 18:43:40 · answer #8 · answered by trace 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Well thought out. My son did not have "Monster issues" until after one movie he watched and shouldn't have. I believe had he never been exposed to that idea, he would never have a fear of the dark. I believe it true that people have such strong convictions in their faith because the idea was planted there either at a young age, of at a vulnerable time in a persons life.
2007-09-15 18:46:05 · answer #9 · answered by Apollo's Revenge 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋
You're deep thought isn't making much sense to me.
Sorry.
As a child i never ever thought there was a monster under my bed or in the closet.
Now, my family don't believe in God and never ever spoke of his name, ever!
When i was 3 i had a severe nightmare i still remember to this day and when i woke up i flew out of my bed and onto my knees praying as hard as i could for God to not take me. I prayed for half hour straight and my faith in Him was strong.
I was never told about God, i was never in church etc etc, but i knew He was there.
But are you supporting God or are you still an atheist, i got confused in your post?
2007-09-15 18:44:17 · answer #10 · answered by Kat 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋