Guest SquidMom Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 So, this wierd. My 12 yr old daughter said she doesn't believe in the church because she firmly believes that she used to be a frog, but was hit by a car and reborn to me. I know, she's insane. I just told her she can believe whatever she wants, but she still has to go church. She says she believes in God. I explained to her about reincarnation, and how it is a non- christian belief, so that doesn't really work. Should I support her at this stage? I know this is only a crazy phase for her, and she will likely come around eventually. So, is it unhealthy to allow her to explore other beliefs, i.e. non christian, to allow her to come into faith on her own accord? Or is she to young for that kind of freedom? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bini Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 So, this wierd. My 12 yr old daughter said she doesn't believe in the church because she firmly believes that she used to be a frog, but was hit by a car and reborn to me. I know, she's insane. I just told her she can believe whatever she wants, but she still has to go church. She says she believes in God. I explained to her about reincarnation, and how it is a non- christian belief, so that doesn't really work.Should I support her at this stage? I know this is only a crazy phase for her, and she will likely come around eventually. So, is it unhealthy to allow her to explore other beliefs, i.e. non christian, to allow her to come into faith on her own accord? Or is she to young for that kind of freedom?I don't think it's ever unhealthy to learn about other cultures and religions. However, until a child is of legal age and continues to live under their parents' roof, mum and dad are in charge.I went to private school and Religious Studies was a mandatory course - for everyone - covering everything from Judaism, to Christianity, to Islam, etc. etc. I was and am LDS, and I used that opportunity to broaden my knowledge on various faiths. Some days I questioned the differences between us and 'the other guys'. Other days I felt uplifted that I knew the LDS gospel was true. In retrospect, while I'm no religious scholar, I have learned to appreciate the good that so many other faiths have to offer and contribute to our world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backroads Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 I recall asking my parents at a young age about reincarnation (somehow my young mind wasn't grasping the contradiction of the premortal existence in tandem with reincarnation). I certainly wouldn't waste my time fighting with her on this--like you said, it's probably little more than a crazy phase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMGuy Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 I think you support her, and love her and HELP her explore. At the same times it has always struck me as curious how we believe that children, at the age of 8, are accountable/responsible enough to make an important decision regarding what church to join, but they amazingly aren't accountable/responsible enough at the age of 12, 14, 16 etc to decide to leave... -RM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SquidMom Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 I had mostly the same thoughts on this. Thanks, all! She is kind of a strange kid anyway, she'll likely be obsessed with some other wierdness in a month or so. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 I think you support her, and love her and HELP her explore.At the same times it has always struck me as curious how we believe that children, at the age of 8, are accountable/responsible enough to make an important decision regarding what church to join, but they amazingly aren't accountable/responsible enough at the age of 12, 14, 16 etc to decide to leave...-RMI don't think it is that we don't believe they're accountable/responsible enough to decide to leave. I think it's more like - until you can live on your own, you're going to follow the house rules. And a rule in this house is you go to church. I don't see anything wrong with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMGuy Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 I don't think it is that we don't believe they're accountable/responsible enough to decide to leave. I think it's more like - until you can live on your own, you're going to follow the house rules. And a rule in this house is you go to church. I don't see anything wrong with that.So it really wasn't a choice at 8 then?-RM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 So it really wasn't a choice at 8 then?-RMOf course it was. At least in my house you don't get baptized unless you choose to get baptized. But you still have to go to church even if you decide not to get baptized. House rule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vort Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 Of course it was. At least in my house you don't get baptized unless you choose to get baptized. But you still have to go to church even if you decide not to get baptized. House rule.Same here. The child makes choices, but the parents set that standards of conduct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skippy740 Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 So, this wierd. My 12 yr old daughter said she doesn't believe in the church because she firmly believes that she used to be a frog, but was hit by a car and reborn to me. I know, she's insane. I just told her she can believe whatever she wants, but she still has to go church. She says she believes in God. I explained to her about reincarnation, and how it is a non- christian belief, so that doesn't really work.Should I support her at this stage? I know this is only a crazy phase for her, and she will likely come around eventually. So, is it unhealthy to allow her to explore other beliefs, i.e. non christian, to allow her to come into faith on her own accord? Or is she to young for that kind of freedom? Hmmm... pretty recent reincarnation. What kind of car was it?It's a pretty big "promotion" to go from frog to daughter. If she really believes in reincarnation, what was she supposed to learn from being a frog that she didn't get the chance to learn before?Was she expecting her 'prince' to turn her back into a frog?I think she's just in a phase and having some fun with you.For fun, you can find some frogs legs and have them for dinner one night! I know, I'm evil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john doe Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 Hmmm... pretty recent reincarnation. What kind of car was it?It's a pretty big "promotion" to go from frog to daughter. If she really believes in reincarnation, what was she supposed to learn from being a frog that she didn't get the chance to learn before?Don't jump in front of cars. Same rule applies today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
talisyn Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 I feel your pain. When my 13 yr old daughter was 12 she decided she wanted to be Wiccan and proceeded to tell me all about how Christians co-opted major pagan events. I was then able to talk to her about Latter-day and Early-day Saints and how, if there have been people preaching about Christ since the beginnings, then Mithra et al were a co-op of Christian beliefs. I had fun, and she got something to chew on. And she still has to go to church with us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backroads Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 Don't jump in front of cars. Same rule applies today.So you're saying that if I can get through life and learn that lesson, Nirvana awaits me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 5, 2012 Report Share Posted December 5, 2012 From Teen Witch (1989, with Robyn Lively - Blake's sister)Madam Serena (after Louise turned the frog to a prince): That wonderful witch, she did it!Oh how I've longed to see you standing there before me; loving me, adoring me.What do you wanna say? How long I've waited to hear these words.Speak, speak.Frog Prince:Ribit, ribit.Teen Witch 1989 (Full Movie) - YouTubeStarts at 46 minutes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john doe Posted December 5, 2012 Report Share Posted December 5, 2012 So you're saying that if I can get through life and learn that lesson, Nirvana awaits me?No, but in your next life you won't be tempted to jump in front of cars. Your challenge will be either falling off steep cliffs or touching high voltage lines with your bare hands while grounded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backroads Posted December 5, 2012 Report Share Posted December 5, 2012 No, but in your next life you won't be tempted to jump in front of cars. Your challenge will be either falling off steep cliffs or touching high voltage lines with your bare hands while grounded.Reincarnation's hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mordorbund Posted December 5, 2012 Report Share Posted December 5, 2012 Meh. You were a frog then, you're a Mormon now. "What e'er thou art, act well thy part." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.