2007-10-14 04:55:37 · 18 answers · asked by COLTSfansince1994 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I can't rightly say I have a 7 year old that wants to preach when he grows up, as a child I believe what they are exposed to is what know, however I believe that even as a child you have personal preferences to things whether you do them willingly or a made to do so for example church for me growing up was a chore, for my son it's an adventure, he sits there with his legs folded and his fist folded intent on the pastor and could relay what the message was about and ask me questions about what he didn't understand. God used an *** to to cry out, why not the mouth of a babe? You see child prodigies all over the world musically, academically why not a child but that is only IF they are fully learned of the Word. I do feel that their are those who are still Chosen but at the time are to young to have the Word properly manifested to them. I don't think they should be before a congregation untill they have a full understanding of God's Word, Works or Wisdom. I mean how can you preach a sermon on Sunday and don't want to share your candy or Monday?
2007-10-14 05:24:10 · answer #1 · answered by Pretty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the situation. As a child, I was certainly not indoctrinated, but I was a growing zealot all on my own. I didn't /preach/, of course, but I was very, very interested in religion in a fundamentalist way even though my parents were not (and didn't even attend church, pray, look at a bible, anything). Children can, and do, have obsessions of their own.
I believe they're a bit too young, yes. I believe the same thing of child beauty pageant stars, and a host of other things they get pushed into and encouraged into too young. I feel a bit sorry for them, especially since I'm not of that particular religion anymore.
In some cases - and most all, if the child is /very/ young, under 10 - it is the work of indoctrination. And while I disapprove, it's their right to raise their kids in the religion they see fit - just as it's my right to raise my kids differently. Raising your children to believe a certain way is not child abuse in and of itself
2007-10-14 12:32:10 · answer #2 · answered by Katia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello,
I have seen a few over the last 20 years on TV. They are just parroting white their parents and ministers say and since they look like clowns with their actions and expressions, I doubt they are called by God.
I knew a few older people who had been in Hitler youth, taken to Albert Speer's light shows and were indoctrinated to say many political things that they really never understood fully at all. Just as many in the churches yell praise the Lord these kids would yell hail Hitler since every one else did so.
Cheers,
Michael
2007-10-14 12:40:35 · answer #3 · answered by Michael Kelly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's kind of weird. I have never heard of it in any religion except Christian. Have you seen that movie Jesus Camp? Kind of like that - but a step further. To me - it's scary. I think they should be playing with their hot wheels cars - or jumping rope or something. Your spiritual/religious beliefs are something you discover along the way. You can't know what they are until you know who you are.
I think preaching is most effective when a minister talks about life experiences. Children have very few life experiences.
Namaste!
2007-10-14 12:02:53 · answer #4 · answered by liddabet 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Indoctrination.
They've pushed into it by parents and church. The kids at that age can't even really understand what they're preaching about. Of course, the adults don't really either, but they have more abstract reasoning than a child.
Of course, since religion is really a fairly shallow belief system, even a child can easily memorize all the talking points and make a good show.
This type of childhood indoctrination really makes me sick to my stomach. This is yet another way that religion harms society.
2007-10-14 11:58:25 · answer #5 · answered by nondescript 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
i've never seen such a child, but if they do then the reason why they do it really depends on their age. If they under 12, then it's probably some other person putting ideas in their head, if they're older then they read stuff and became convinced about a certain religion, and they just believe that they are meant to help others.
2007-10-14 12:05:46 · answer #6 · answered by dreamer 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they truly understand the words and the teachings why shouldn't they. Jesus was a child when lost (to his parents) for he was in the temple speaking in a way that no one of that generation had heard before, don't you think that anyone who can make someone stop and listen to the good word worthy of doing it. I think so. Anything that someone can do regardless of age we should encourage.
Only they know if they were called by God, He gives us choices in life, this boy chose to do God's work he is obviously empationed by the word and feels it is his mission in life to spread it. Peace
2007-10-14 12:05:37 · answer #7 · answered by Neptune2bsure 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Children should be allowed to be children. Yes, they are too young to be preaching. They should be outside playing, not inside deciding what next week's sermon is going to be on.
2007-10-14 11:59:51 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
They are too young to have a good opinion of god. They should be at least 11 or 12 before they reach their decision.
2007-10-14 11:59:49 · answer #9 · answered by Cameron C. 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Of course they're too young. When the 60 minutes host asked the 5 year old why he did this his response was "... you'll have to ask my father about that one...".
If you don't know why you are doing something, then how can it be the right thing to do?
IMHO.
2007-10-14 11:59:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋