Three fingers and a thumb?

[2dimes]

I suppose it would be tough to play those jazz chords with two fingers and no thumb.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x57z8c ... bops_music

[mrswdk]

At least he won't be doing compulsory Marxism classes* all the way up until the end of his undergraduate.


*read: 'why the CCP is right' classes

[2dimes]

Yeah he'll have to catch up on his mandarin too. Grossnegligentparentalfail!

[BigBallinStalin]

We need more of it.

[BoganGod]

Brought my sister a most excellent book for christmas "How to Traumatize Your Children: 7 Proven Methods to Help You Screw Up Your Kids Deliberately and with Skill"
Suggested a few chapters she could pass on to our mother.

[2dimes]

Synopsis?

[nietzsche]

Your children will pick up any belief, spoken or unspoken you show them.



It's a goldmine.
You teach them to work for you, and you don't have to lift a finger for the rest of your life.

[2dimes]

So you're telling me I should have a job and give the money to my parents?

[nietzsche]

So you're telling me I should have a job and give the money to my parents?

I'm telling you you should make your kids work for you. You are lucky your parents didn't know this.

[2dimes]

Like I should buy a couple of sewing machines and have them making Nike knockoffs?

[nietzsche]

Like I should buy a couple of sewing machines and have them making Nike knockoffs?

I don't think they'd sell.

[2dimes]

Adidas? Louis vuton!

[betiko]

Adidas? Louis vuton!

You should make them create a world domination website with yearly fees!

Other than this i don t really see why it s a problem that your kid doesn t know what hell is?

[2dimes]

I was bragging.

[Dukasaur]

I don't think there's any virtue in losing your cultural reference points.

I don't believe in God or any such nonsense, but I still consider myself a good Catholic in the cultural sense, someone who is proud of ancestors who built the world's most beautiful buildings, painted the most beautiful pictures, and kept the spark of civilization alive despite a thousand years of barbarian invasions.

It's cute that your kid doesn't get the point of a silly cartoon, but what about when he's older, and he's touring the Sistine Chapel? Will he stare at those incredible images and not have the first fucking clue who the people are? Will he read Milton's Paradise Lost and be unable to appreciate it because none of the references make any sense?

The Bible, stripped of theological nonsense, is still one of the core reference books of our civilization, and to not appreciate that just because you're not religious is like getting rid of your car because you don't want to drink and drive. Stories like Samson and Delilah, the great Plagues of Egypt, Joshua's Trumpet, and on and on and on, are the bedrock that a million other books and cultural works are built on. When he hears someone say, "she was the Delilah to his Samson," will he be totally lost and not have a clue what is being said there?

[2dimes]

I don't think there's any virtue in losing your cultural reference points.

The point is he is not afraid of God or any punishment that might be waiting for us sinners when we die. His cousins being roman catholics are. Sorry but I'm happy my children don't believe hell is a physical location, where you can hang out and learn to play better Jazz trumpet, then after you get better chops you can return to sit in with pigs. Their mom is Anglican maybe she does. If you think you need to teach that to your kids so they can enjoy art better, that sounds fine to me.

His grandmother tells him about her second husband being in heaven with our old dog. I have explained while I'm hopeful I don't know if that's true. He has some very interesting ideas about it and currently seems to think every living being goes there when their body stops breathing.

I have read to him and his sister from various translations of the Bible most of which are heavily illustrated and geared toward children. I have taken them both into churches that are cool buildings when we have an opportunity, only if they want to. I discuss my beliefs openly with them and ask questions about theirs.

[PLAYER57832]

I don't think there's any virtue in losing your cultural reference points.

I don't believe in God or any such nonsense, but I still consider myself a good Catholic in the cultural sense, someone who is proud of ancestors who built the world's most beautiful buildings, painted the most beautiful pictures, and kept the spark of civilization alive despite a thousand years of barbarian invasions.

It's cute that your kid doesn't get the point of a silly cartoon, but what about when he's older, and he's touring the Sistine Chapel? Will he stare at those incredible images and not have the first fucking clue who the people are? Will he read Milton's Paradise Lost and be unable to appreciate it because none of the references make any sense?

The Bible, stripped of theological nonsense, is still one of the core reference books of our civilization, and to not appreciate that just because you're not religious is like getting rid of your car because you don't want to drink and drive. Stories like Samson and Delilah, the great Plagues of Egypt, Joshua's Trumpet, and on and on and on, are the bedrock that a million other books and cultural works are built on. When he hears someone say, "she was the Delilah to his Samson," will he be totally lost and not have a clue what is being said there?

Well, the child in question is not even 8, so its a tad early for him to get into Samson and Delilah.
However, you do raise a good point, I used to see a LOT of 18-20 somethings who were "discovered" many religions, sometimes Native American beliefs, sometimes Hindu or Buddhist variations, sometimes groups that were true cults.

The dangerous/scary part was not that they explored other religions, but that they generally did so without really understanding their OWN traditions. Sort of, "I am not happy with what Mom and Dad or perhaps "society" in general, and they represent Christianity, so I want to seek alternatives." EXCEPT -- what they really saw as "Christianity" was just part of the religion, not anything close to its totality. Back then, it was often respect for nature they wanted, but there is nothing in /Christianity that really endorses abuse of the world around. Just the opposite! God created all we see, made it "good". For us to think we can just do as we will without impact is mere arrogance. Its similar to debates over war. You have people going forth with weapons in the name of Christianity, but you also have many groups that proclaim pacifism is the real Christian message. In truth, each of these extremes is probably human arrogance. But, getting into all that requires thinking beyond a few sentences and learning a few hymns.

I myself would not be so worried about my kids delving into real Buddhism or such, but many of the pretenders are really just cults that feed on issues people think they have with the more traditional religions.

[2dimes]

Except the best cult always tell everyone, "Our leader is the kindest most loving person alive, just like Jesus."

[isaiah40]

Except the best cult always tell everyone, "Our leader is the kindest most loving person alive, just like Jesus."

And then they say they are God - just look at what Jimmy Jones did in Guyana with the Kool-Aid. Though I would not call what you are doing religious indoctrination, call it teaching your kids the truth that is in God's word, and teach them to seek God for answers to their questions. In this way, they can, when they are old enough make informed choices based on what you have taught them on their own.

[PLAYER57832]

I don't think there's any virtue in losing your cultural reference points.

The point is he is not afraid of God or any punishment that might be waiting for us sinners when we die. His cousins being roman catholics are. Sorry but I'm happy my children don't believe hell is a physical location, where you can hang out and learn to play better Jazz trumpet, then after you get better chops you can return to sit in with pigs.

Seems you are mixing purgatory (where R. Catholics believe souls go for punishment) with Hinduism(reincarnation of many types) and confusing it with Hell --

Their mom is Anglican maybe she does.

I am not sure if /anglicans believe in purgatory or not, but I think they do see Hell as most Christians do -- the absence of God.

If you think you need to teach that to your kids so they can enjoy art better, that sounds fine to me.

Yeah, you nicely make my point for me... and rather show ignorance of art, too boot.
See, art actually does reflect society and CAN very much tell us about it. And. when it comes to religion, understanding it means understanding humanity and why we have done much of what we have done throughout history. Believe or not, understanding is important. Learning mere distortions is what leads to the problems you/others here often blame on religion,not truly learning about religions.

His grandmother tells him about her second husband being in heaven with our old dog. I have explained while I'm hopeful I don't know if that's true. He has some very interesting ideas about it and currently seems to think every living being goes there when their body stops breathing.

I have read to him and his sister from various translations of the Bible most of which are heavily illustrated and geared toward children. I have taken them both into churches that are cool buildings when we have an opportunity, only if they want to. I discuss my beliefs openly with them and ask questions about theirs.

At 7, sure. Their ability to understand complexities is limited. Just be sure you can go beyond the simple tales when they get older -- or it really will be just a bunch of fairy tales, and they might well decide to believe a far more 'explained' and 'complete' "religion' -- cultists are masters at making their message meet what people want to hear. it takes a good base to refute the nice words

[2dimes]

Except the best cult always tell everyone, "Our leader is the kindest most loving person alive, just like Jesus."

And then they say they are God - just look at what Jimmy Jones did in Guyana with the Kool-Aid. Though I would not call what you are doing religious indoctrination, call it teaching your kids the truth that is in God's word, and teach them to seek God for answers to their questions. In this way, they can, when they are old enough make informed choices based on what you have taught them on their own.

I titled the thread that to open up discussion on it.

Reverend Jim is of course a favourite of mine. When he did that I was afraid the tribulation was about to get going and it wouldn't be too long before they were coming for us.

Everything I do is some form of indoctrination just as Nietz points out. Me being on here way too much is probably shaping who they are.

Your children will pick up any belief, spoken or unspoken you show them.

[PLAYER57832]

Except the best cult always tell everyone, "Our leader is the kindest most loving person alive, just like Jesus."

Yes, or sometimes they will say "we have the REAL message,Jesus just pretended". The key is that if kids are given a good basis, then while they may question/seek other ideas, they will not be swayed by cultist lies.

Honest religions disagree,but don't truly lie. Cults lie.

[isaiah40]

-- cultists are masters at making their message meet what people want to hear. it takes a good base to refute the nice words

This isn't even restricted to cultists anymore, I know plenty of "God-fearing" pastors that preach what their congregations want to hear to make them "feel good" about themselves, thereby changing God's word to something different. God's word isn't about making you feel better about yourself, it is making you see yourself how He sees you, someone who sins, and at the same time having someone who can help you out of the mire you got yourself into.

[2dimes]

Obviously we can't see ourselves the way God sees us Isaiah40 but, I'm leaning toward your side of that discussion.

[PLAYER57832]

-- cultists are masters at making their message meet what people want to hear. it takes a good base to refute the nice words

This isn't even restricted to cultists anymore, I know plenty of "God-fearing" pastors that preach what their congregations want to hear to make them "feel good" about themselves, thereby changing God's word to something different. God's word isn't about making you feel better about yourself, it is making you see yourself how He sees you, someone who sins, and at the same time having someone who can help you out of the mire you got yourself into.

That is why it is even more important than ever to teach kids to think, not simply follow.

It DOES come in steps. At 7, I am happy that my son gets that xmas is about Christ, not terribly disturbed that he is still not quite ready to deny Santa (doesn't really believe, but is not quite ready to admit that). There is plenty of time for him to learn that Christ was more likely born in the spring or fall, not December and other complexities.