How do you explain what religion is to a 7 year old, especially the concept of God?

[rich p]

I hope you will let me use this one. Love it!

Be my guest!

 

[dellzeqq]

I'd suggest a slightly contrary view. Give him the story as it's told in the bible as best you can. God, the creation, Adam and Eve, the Nativity, the life of Jesus (chuck in a couple of miracles), the Crucifiction, and a brief description of what a church is. That should prompt about a zillion questions. You can reasonably say that some people believe in God and some people don't.

Most kids go through a religious phase. Run with it. Help him make the most of it.

 

[Aperitif]

I'm with Rich...my kid is all mixed up now!

Tom Cruise is worth a mention now - Wow! (Courtesy of Gawker, as it has been removed from the tube)

Hold onto your seats!

 

[numbnuts]

I can see this post becoming a

 

[Archie_tect]

I'd suggest a slightly contrary view. Give him the story as it's told in the bible as best you can. God, the creation, Adam and Eve, the Nativity, the life of Jesus (chuck in a couple of miracles), the Crucifiction, and a brief description of what a church is. That should prompt about a zillion questions. You can reasonably say that some people believe in God and some people don't.

Most kids go through a religious phase. Run with it. Help him make the most of it.

Ah but the traditional Church of England/ Catholic viewpoint is a bit narrow these days, unless the child has a well developed appreciation of irony.

 

[rich p]

I'm with Rich...my kid is all mixed up now!

Tom Cruise is worth a mention now - Wow! (Courtesy of Gawker, as it has been removed from the tube)

Hold onto your seats!

Holy bloody bejesus!

That bloke makes me and my pet dragon, David Icke, look sane!

 

[Blue]

We explained to ours that there is no right or wrong religion, and treated religion as a series of ideas that people had and told them about the main faiths. We are aetheists [if we have to have a label!] and have left our children to decide for themselves as they got older [now 22 and 19!]

We've explained to them over the years that the main idea to draw from religions is the personal moral code that everyone has and how that should form the basis of how you treat people- that they should react to, and respond to people in the way that they would like to be treated by others and that that should form the way they dealt with any situation: to be aware of their personal responsibility and let their conscience mould how they respond.

All our parents would class themselves as Church of England but apart from school Christmas plays our children have had no organised religious input.

I trust you explain that a person can have a good moral code without religion and a poor moral code despite having religion in their lives.

 

[Shaun]

Erm, I don't think the OP asked for a theological debate - there's P&L for that!!!

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[taxing]

When I worked in a special school there was a Christian teacher there who used her pastoral time to tell the kids in her group Bible stories and present everything as fact. The kids were 16-18 but they didn't have the capacity to make their own minds up, they'd believe anything you told them. I found it a bit awkward to work in that class while this was going on. I tried sounding out the head of department to see what he thought of it, and he told me that his PhD dissertation was on how those with learning difficulties can have a loving relationship with God.

 

[2Loose]

My daughter went to a catholic pre-school and her mum is catholic, although non-practising. When the questions and songs about 'Jesus is a special child' etc started. I merely stated my belief (ie. I don't) with the caveat that many people do believe.

I don't want to kill it for her, she must make her own mind up over time, much like parents allowed me. The main thing is to expose them to many angles of the same question imo.

If you start things with 'Some\many people believe that ...x\y\z...but Daddy\Mummy thinks...a\b\c", then as long as they are exposed to the other point of view then they will be fine.


As it stands, my girl thinks I am the odd one out but she does know why I think the way I do.

 

[iAmiAdam]

What people need to believe in to get through their life, is their business. Faith is after all, as it says, faith, so there is no evidence.

I think the idea of letting her go to some sort of childrens service would be good.

RE in school teaches the concept of belief well though.

 

[Archie_tect]

I trust you explain that a person can have a good moral code without religion and a poor moral code despite having religion in their lives.

Certainly did Blue!
Sorry Shaun, this has got a bit philosophical.

Krypton, perhaps all you need to do is talk about what your son/daughter thinks about religion having listened to how it is presented at school and what he thinks is 'real' and where stories help people to think about what makes a person 'good'.

Nobody needs to believe there is 'something' outside their own consciousness to live an honest and fair life- that they need to 'believe' that something exists which is stronger than themselves to help them cope or blame for their circumstances is just an emotional crutch, but if they need that to get by, so be it.

I absorbed Church of England doctrine as a child, went religiously to confirmation classes- even sang in the choir, but when I started to think about it all later I couldn't rationalise what I'd been told with how [some] people lived their lives.

The idea that people think there is some ethereal Creator amazes me.... some very intelligent people at that.... but if they wish to do so, it's entirely up to them. Who am I to judge? They could be right! [hedging in case!]

It's not religion that makes people honest and caring- they'd be that anyway- but the original teachings of every religious group I can think of promotes a strong and caring moral code which, if lived by, would make the world a forgiving and happier place.

What religious people tend to forget in their fervour is that their religion is not 'the one'- all it is is a code of ethics which people over the centuries have refined and adapted to suit their circumstances. The stories they have evolved over time to illustrate their thoughts are only there to serve to guide people. Humans are an adaptable race with the ability to think.... a little too much sometimes!

For example not focussing in particular but how can Judaism promote 'an eye for an eye' without forgiveness and not see how their world is turned into an un-ending cycle of violence as a result appalls me. That organised religion has sought to justify 'Holy wars' makes a mockery of their individual ethical code. What Christians term 'turning the other cheek' ...someone has to break the cycle.

People are people - all the same- pity they can't work that out for themselves isn't it?

 

[Archie_tect]

[QUOTE 1233765"]
If it's Catholicism your kids want to know about, I'd go with them, and not let them go and buff up the vicars cassock in the vestry
[/quote]

...or give them the complete set of "Father Ted'.

 

[pepecat]

I think I'd go with the 'some people believe XYZ and they are called Christians, and there are others who believe ABC and they are called Muslims' etc. I was brought up going to church every sunday, and called myself a Christian until about a couple of years ago..... I reckon letting kids make up their own minds is definitely the best way to go. My parents did the 'this is the way it is' thing (of course God exists etc etc etc), and although I learnt about other religions at school, I still thought Christianity was 'the' way to go and all other ways were wrong..... Took me till I was 33 to realise it might not be the case.....
I reckon if my parents had done the 'this is what some people, including us, believe, but other people believe other things' way, it would have been better. But, because they are pretty full on Christians, that was never going to happen. It was 'this is the way it is' and little room for manouevre.

 

[Night Train]

I think I'd go with the 'some people believe XYZ and they are called Christians, and there are others who believe ABC and they are called Muslims' etc. I reckon letting kids make up their own minds is definitely the best way to go.

I would suggest this and also advise the kid of the benefits of questioning and examining what is taught. If it is found to be acceptable then follow it (and continue to ask questions) and if not then find a different route.