I would tell then "yes" and I would tell them about my beliefs if they were interested. I would make it clear that I do not believe people who don't share my beliefs are destined for eternal torment however.
Would you want me discussing my beliefs with your kids when they were younger? For the sake of debate, lets say 8 years old.
My kids would have done it already .... so if the child asked, I would tell them how we believe...I have seen MANY children of Agnostics, atheists, practical atheists ... etc, ask Jesus into their hearts .... and my new son-in-law was an atheist once ... now he is a born-again Christian and is VERY excited about it So would I care if an atheist discussed their beliefs to my kids ... they do all the time in the Public School with the BS evolution rederick My kids know Whom they have believed in
Ok, so you're kids are perfect. Sweet. Let's think hypothetically here. Your kid (remember, hypothetically) confronts his/her atheist uncle (hypothetical) about whether or not he believes in God. Would you want that uncle, who they love, to tell them about his beliefs?
Don't put words in my mouth ... they are awesome kids ... but far from perfect ... the only Perfect was named JESUS .... please dont cheap shot me to try and discredit me and we can debate this if they asked, yes! My kids have to make their OWN choices ... I have watched as my kids follow Jesus cuz Mom and Dad do .. to watch them follow Jesus because THEY CHOOSE to.... and I have seen it go the other way as well .... they have to learn the hard way .. but at least they have the ability to choose as they have the proper foundation, IMO I am not afraid of different views ... my kids need to search their own hearts
While I'm not exactly sure what "proper foundation" means, it's good that you aren't opposed to allowing differing views into your household. Many Christian parents that I have been exposed to are adamant about not allowing any type of opposing beliefs into their home.
Yessir ... I have seen it MANY times ... I left a church that believed in "greenhousing" your children, wife, and pets I am not fooled thinking that I can MAKE my kids believe the way they do ... it's their choice .... that being said, I have standards in my home, or rules if you will that they must abide by ... and they do ... at least when I can see them :D
i think in most cases, especially in this economy. The parents need to work to put any food on that table at all. Id rather have a non traditional formal family dinner than no dinner at all.
Whoa... mind overload reading through all this. No way I could ever reply to everything I'd like to, so I'll take the shotgun approach. The following are my views. Take them for what you will. Its ok if we disagree, we're both wrong! - The more you adamantly tell someone that they are wrong, the more of the Devil they hear in your words. - My CEO never retired! - I think Jesus enjoys families, so love your family, but no more than you should love anyone else. In fact when the young man said he'd follow Jesus, but he had to go bury his father 1st Jesus said, "let the dead bury the dead!" ... Maybe dinner with my folks can wait. -The Bible is the "Word" of God. The ideas and themes are important, not the text itself. We all "translate" what we here or read. Jesus told stories. Same stories have different words in the Gospels. Words don't matter, the story does. -I often find it scary being a "Christian", he expects so much of me! ...but I find comfort at the Cross. No, not that one, the one next to Him. The thief. Jesus said he'd be with Him, all because he knew who He was! -Yes its the "End of Times"... has been since Jesus was crucified. "No one knows the day, not even the Son, only the Father knows." -Jesus said "turn the other cheek", he also (according to some translations) fashioned a whip and violently drove the money changers out of the out of the Temple. ...this makes me think two things. 1, I should love people far more than I am, and 2, the "Christian" guy at Security Jewelers should fear the wrath of God! -The Cross is why I got into this. The Resurrection is what keeps me going!
This is true. My bad with the analogy. He did not retire, just took His manifestation of Himself in the flesh and resurrected Himself. These "2" you speak of are "1" and the same. God is a Spirit. He robed "Himself" in flesh and dwelt among us. There is no fleshly Jesus sitting beside Him in Heaven as some unlearned doctrines would try to teach.
My point wasn't that there was a "fleshy" Jesus sitting next to God, it was that talk of "how bad things are" and "they're getting worse" implying that the end is coming very soon seems silly to me. The way I understand it, there's no way we can guess or predict it. No way. Could be 2012, could be in 4000 years, could be tonight.... could have started? We'll all know when it happens. Everyone. I know I should be ready to see my Maker at any time. I'm trying to do what I think Jesus would have me do in the meantime. I just think that Gloom and Doom talk isn't the best way for me to introduce people to Jesus. Especially in 2010. Careful what category you put yourself in Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children."
