Didn't it used to make you so mad when your parents would say "because I said so" when you were growing up?

Question

Didn't you want to know the REAL reason why they were giving you an order, or forbidding you from doing something, rather than their simple reply of "because I said so?"

I don't know about you, but that used to drive me nuts.

Was it right of my mother to use that as a reason so often?

What's different about God?

Answer 1

I always hated I mean HATED it when my parent's said "Becaise I said so."

Actually, as a child, I never accepted "Because I said so" as an answer. When my parent's would tell me 'no' I would ask them why. If they said "Because I said so" I would ask them why they said so. I would never take "Because I said so" as an acceptable answer.

I like to think that I was more intelligent than to think that there wasn't more reasoning behind their decision for "saying so" and I always wanted to know what that reasoning was. As soon as I would get a straight forward answer, I would drop the matter even if the answer was still 'no'.

This is not because I am or was rebellious but I am inquisitive and want to know the reasoning behind things. That is probably why I am an atheist now...because I never accept "Because I said so" as the final say in any matter. There is always a reason behind that statement and I want to know what it is.

Add: Even though I was a child and I'm sure my parents knew what was best for me, I still deserved to understand the reasoning behind why I was or was not allowed to do something. How else would I learn why or why not to behave morally? All people, children included, should know the reasons behind why they should or should not behave a certain way. Otherwise morals become simple, useless "rules" and no one knows why they follow them.

Answer 2

My parents rarely used that as a reason, because it doesn't do anything to teach the child WHY, and it doesn't equip the child to make their OWN decisions based on internal knowledge when the parents aren't there to "say so".

And yes, that's one of the things that helped me move away from Christianity - so many of the answers were "because the Bible says so" or "because God says so."

Answer 3

I found that usually the real reason for "because I said so" was either "because I don't want to" or "because that is the rule and you already know it, so don't give me any more crap about it."Not that a parent isn't justified in saying that, but usually that's what it came down to. Otherwise they had a good answer like "we can't afford it" or "you misbehaved today and this is your punishment" or "it isn't appropriate for a child your age." "Because I said so" usually came into play for questions like "why can't we go to the pool now" or "why do I have to go to bed?"

Answer 4

With the Father it's different. There is an explanation for His commandments in the bible. Everything that we really need to know about Him is in there.

The problem with people is that they don't know Him because they've chosen not to. Rather than simply go to the source (His testimony), they concoct theories about Him from the figments of there own imaginations.

Assumptions don't account for anything but ignorance and stupidity. What's worse is they intend to mock others who do know Him. But in essence they only mock their own ignorance. What intelligent creature would do this to themselves?

If you really want to know what's going on with this world you live in and where do we go from here, read His expose. You'll be amazed at the wisdom it reveals to you about His plan for us.

Answer 5

Well, yeah, but I also found out that my mom was wrong 90% of the time (I'm in my 30s)!

Yeah, it would DRIVE ME NUTS! Especially since the question was USUALLY about religion (what a coincidence). She never really had an answer for me. She would just shake her head and say, "You'll find out someday."

Answer 6

Yes it drove me nuts and I thought she was the meanest mom on earth. But now that I am 57 and have two children of my own (ages 14 & 8) I understand why she did and I am thankful she did. Other kids from my class ended up with pregnancies out of wedlock, on drugs and in jail. I thought they had the nicest parents because they didn't tell their kids no.

Answer 7

It's one of the reasons I don't use that phrase with my kids and I also try to avoid "because".

The difference is god, besides being a myth, is not a good role model for parenting by any stretch of the imagination.

Answer 8

Yes, it drove me crazy. Then, I got older and was able to open my mind and understand their reasoning. Now I know they did the things they did because they loved me and wanted what was best for me.

Just like God.

Answer 9

No difference between God's use of it & my parent's use...

I don't think either should have used it.

I will make it a point to explain to my children my reasoning... then I will conclude with... "I am wiser and older and your parent, so you will listen to me"

Answer 10

i definitly get what your saying...

i feel like, in MY case, my parents were doing what was best for me...maybe they should have explained themselves better, but when i look back it doesnt matter that much, especially since my dad is now deceased...i just realize that listening to him when he told me to was the best thing to do, and he always had my best interests in mind..

i feel the same about God...i dont need to know every single reason he says to do something...my religion tells me he is looking out for my well being.