Somewhat like brainwashing?

Question

I'm a Sunday School teacher at a Christian Church. I believe in God and do my best to be a good person. I don't believe in judging others for their differences because my belief is that if we live our lives and try to love one another and teach forgiveness and tolerance that it is the most important thing. I like my church because it has an open door to anyone in the community regardless of their lifestyle or place in the world unlike other churches who would and often do turn some people away.

However, while going through the lesson plans for Sunday School (Which are actually written up by another individual) I found a bottle of vanilla extract and a bag of cotton balls. I guess having the kids smell vanilla from the cotton is supposed to help them remember bible verses that they learn later in life.

I didn't do it. I taught them the lesson, but left out the vanilla extract. That seemed a little brainwashy to me. Am I right?

I told the other lady after Sunday School that I didn't do the vanilla extract and exactly why. She was visibly upset by it, so I mentioned it to the pastor who was not worried.

Nothing indicates I'm a Christian?

Why? Because I'm not a bigot? True Christians aren't...

Answer 1

yes you are right-smells can help memory a lot-not sure it qualifies as brain washing though--enjoy the day

Answer 2

I wouldn't consider that brainwashing. It's actually a technique I've used to study for exams.

I'm not sure whether or not it has long-term effects. For example, will the kids think of Jesus ten years down the road when they smell vanilla? If so, then I suppose it could be considered brainwashing. Otherwise, it's just a way to get them to remember things.

It's nice that some kids have a Sunday School teacher who cares about them, rather than one who treats them like religious robots.

Answer 3

Do the parents know that there kids are sniffing vanilla?

We are to teach our children as the bible instructs. The teaching is to primarily come from the parents. I don't recall anywhere in the bible that parents are told to use memory enhancements, but were told to read the bible daily and to inculcate them in our children. "and you must inculcate them in your son, and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up." Deut. 6: 7

This may not necessarily be brainwashing, but it is very strange. Since vanilla does have alcohol in it, I wouldn't think it would be wise to use on children.

"Vanilla extract is a solution containing the flavor compound vanillin. Pure vanilla extract is made by extracting flavor from vanilla beans in an alcoholic solution. In order for a vanilla extract to be called pure, the FDA requires that the solution contain a minimum of 35% alcohol and 13.35 ounces of vanilla bean per gallon[1]. Double and triple strength vanilla extracts are available. Natural vanilla flavoring contains real vanilla bean but no actual alcohol. Imitation vanilla extract is usually made by soaking alcohol in wood, which contains vanillin." Wikipedia

Answer 4

Use of mnemonics can be useful, but are better left to natural memory aids like acronyms and rhymes. I would not consider it brainwashing as you are not trying to wipe out any rational logic. For instance, the catholic church uses a ritual based service. It is nearly the same every week except for a different 5-10 minute homily. That to me is more of a brain washing than the mnemonic use of vanilla because the ritual is not conducive to learning.

Answer 5

I have never heard of that before- thats a strange one. Anyways, at our church the children are given memory verses each week, starting in Kindergarten. That being said, the ones who can remember it the next week are allowed to choose out of the treasure box. In my oldest child's class, they are given a candy bar- a BIG one! So, my kids absolutely love the challenge of trying to remember their verses. I agree with you not to do what they are doing at your church if it seems unusual. Perhaps you can suggest a different way for the children to remember the verses.

Answer 6

sure. 20% out an hour is merchandising.... louder volume, wall of noise, vibrant colours and so on this is brainwashing, spending hundreds for 30 2d slot. And as television is paid for via the classified ads. they have classes that are as crappy because of the fact the classified ads.... I hate little ones and their style in music, and tv. it is all expertise shows, actuality shows, cooking shows, and dropping weight shows... television in the dark plenty extra clever.

Answer 7

i think u r right!
that reminds me of getting candy rewards for answering biblical questions in scripture class in the public primary school i went to.


edit;
oh dear...somethings put a hole in someones security blanket

Answer 8

Wow a Christian teacher who doesent seem to be a racist or homophobic, I'm impressed!

Answer 9

That is a brainwashing trick......but you should just be tolerant and forgiving and nonjudgmental like you have not been brainwashed.

Answer 10

You're definitely right. That sounds incredibly creepy!