Christians; If the Bible is "the truth" and god is "love", why do you sugar-coat it for kids at Sunday School?

Question

Why don't kids read Leviticus or Ezekiel, heck, Numbers at SS?

Why do SS (no pun) teachers skip the parts in which god gives way to the bloodiest carnage ever?

What do you tell your kids about those sections commanding people to stone adulteresses or slaying babies or keeping slaves or looting homes, as the bible god commands? You skip that or what?

And when met with a contradiction or an absurdity, do you embellish it? (i.e., distort and lie about it?)

Please don't make me copy/paste scripture, you very well know what I'm talking about.

Answer 1

I always wondered the same thing. I was raised Christian but never read the Bible cover to cover, so when I heard the same things I was in disbelief and went to check the Bible for myself and yup, it was written right there.

Answer 2

1) Sugar-coat it? Ummm, which Sunday School do *you* attend? When *I* was a child, verses were read *during service* from almost all, if not all, books of the bible. Naturally, there are some topics that might be considered inappropriate for children (such as rape and incest), but of course, as children we are also not taught calculus.

2) "What do you tell your kids about those sections commanding people to stone adulteresses or slaying babies or keeping slaves or looting homes, as the bible god commands? You skip that or what?"
Although I have no children, most of these topics were not avoided when I was a child. Slavery was avoided. I do not recall any home-looting in the bible (unless you are speaking of the spoils of war - something that is not taught to our young children in schools, either, about our own armed forces). Again - some topics simply aren't appropriate for younger children, a cultural belief that is independent of any particular religion.

"And when met with a contradiction or an absurdity, do you embellish it? (i.e., distort and lie about it?)"
Since I know of no contradictions within the bible (except for the size of Solomon's doomed trading fleet, almost certainly a copy error, though possibly two different fleets), there hardly seems to be any need for embellishment or distortion. All so-called biblical "contradictions" of which I have heard have perfectly reasonable, non-religious based, explanations (which are not blamed on the translation), except for 2:
1) the 7 days of creation, which must be either interpreted as symbolic days, or must be admitted that the translation "days" is not the appropriate translation here (although that Hebrew word can be translated "days", that is by no means the only accurate translation of that word)
2) the discrepancy mentioned above, Solomon's fleet, which seems *very* unlikely to be speaking of 2 separate fleets.

I challenge you to report any single biblical "contradiction", for which I will happily provide a very reasonable explanation.

Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/

Answer 3

Just like any school, in due time. You begin with Christian fundamentals: all about Jesus Christ, and related principles, all in the New Testament. The books you mentioned are all in the Old Testament, and for the most part, are not abided by anymore because Christ came to redeem us and banished the "old" ways. A 4-9 year couldn't possibly comprehend these stories initially, but eventually, when advanced in years, and escalated in SS level, they will come to know the Old Testament. As a SS assistant, we do not embellish our teachings, for to do so is against God, teach what is written, no more, no less. My input as a believer.

Answer 4

I'm an atheist with a Jewish-secular upbringing. When I was a kid, my mom used to cover my eyes whenever something bloody would appear on the telly. I don't think anyone wants to expose their children to the bloody mess real life is, religious or not :)
In regards to the biblical stories, I heard as a child, well... people were stoned and women were hated- that's why I don't like religion, organized society or anyone else who wants to tell me what I should be thinking or feeling.

Tali

Answer 5

All those sections that you mention are part of the old law. When Jesus came, He fulfilled the old law and we are now under the New Law that He established (in the New Testament). Although we still refer to the Old Testament, none of those things you mentioned are laws we follow any longer. So why teach something to children that isn't even practiced anymore?

So....how do you explain your screenname and avatar to children? Do you tell children all the gory and violent actions that Bundy and Gacy did, that got them the death penalty? In fact, how do you justify using that name & pic to anyone; why would you even choose them as a representation of yourself?

Answer 6

i guess the same reason they don't teach them about WW1, WW2, the Civil War, the War of 1812, the Spanish-American War, the French-Indian War, the Russian Revolution, etc., (i think you get my drift) until a certain grade/age. i can remember in about the 5th or 6th grade learning about God's wrath in SS, if that helps answer you.

add: btw, nice avatar. :o(

Answer 7

We do. But we save the blood and gore history part at an age appropriate time, and with the maturity to understand.

Repeat.

The maturity to understand.

And, where did GothicButterfly go?

Answer 8

I'll let my fellow Christians dish it out.

tanx 4 the points

Answer 9

Our children get the entire Bible uncensored. That is because it is the absolute truth. The fact that it upsets you, is just an added bonus.

Answer 10

Cause we give them the milk, not meat. I see your living in the old testement and you must follow the law. Hmmmm!! So are you a jew too.