Monday, July 21, 2008
Cool Comments
I just want to say that I so much enjoy getting comments from people who I don't actually know! It's fun and I love having that connection with the world. I'd really like to know (if you're not one of my at-home friends) how you stumbled across my blog, just for the heck of it...
Sunday, July 20, 2008
True Religious Education
I've been typing exams recently and wondering why we allow our children to be taught the crap that they learn in school, especially high school.
In science, they learn about “theories” of origin and then pick one in order to teach the rest of the curriculum. That's not science- it's assumption. It's a big game of “let's pretend”.
In history, they learn about white man's oppression. Oppression of Native Americans, of Africans, of women, of Hispanics.... of everyone. That's not history- it's propaganda.
I could go on, but it's on another issue that I want to focus my thoughts: religion.
I disagree with most people in that I believe religion should be taught in school. But before you start thinking about how you're going to argue with me, let me make my point.
What most people consider Religious Education is actually what I would call “indoctrination”. Now, I realize that this word has a rather bad rapport among most people. We hear “indoctrination” and we see images of uniform-clad, goose-stepping youth. We think that being indoctrinated means losing part of your identity or your ability to think. But indoctrination can be a very valuable tool in a family. In fact, I think it's part of our duty as parents to indoctrinate our children. I'll get back to this point in a minute.
First, I want to address what I think real religious education should be. I admit that I am an idealist and that this will probably never happen. But one can dream.
The educational establishment has failed us by convincing us that all religions are bunk (besides the teachers' pet religion of the 20th century: naturalism, or the current favorite: environmentalism). The church has also failed us (all churches have, mind you) in its educational approach of telling us that all religions except the one that they deign to ascribe to are wrong, or even stupid. The church makes fun of other religions because not everyone believes what we believe.
What the public school system should do is offer a complete look at all major religious systems: monotheism, polytheism, pantheism, atheism... etc. We can track historically the development of the major religious movements of today and investigate what different religions have in common.
For example: Most religious systems include some kind of higher being whose standard must be met in order to please him/her. The individual has to perform certain acts or live a specific lifestyle in order to please the god. The exception here is environmentalism, where Nature is the god, and the way to appease this deity is to do nothing.
I think kids would benefit about learning how Buddhism rose as a reaction to the polytheistic tendencies of Hinduism, how Christianity is an offshoot of Judaism, and how Naturalism has roots in the truth-seeking quandaries of the Greeks, who are generally acknowledged to have been polytheists.
But people are concerned that kids will be taught the wrong thing. And that's where family and the church come in. It's our responsibility to “indoctrinate” our children- to teach them the fundamentals of what we believe and why we believe it. And why we don't believe what those people believe. The answer is not that “those people are stupid” but rather that they have a different world view than we do. They believe something different about God.
My point, really, is this: if all truth is God's truth, then all religions must basically be rooted in that truth. Nothing can possibly be “all lies” because lies are in their very nature a distortion of the truth. There must be a basis of truth in everything. So the value in learning about other religions, then, is that we might be able to learn from them.
Naturalism can teach us to use the senses God gave us to learn about the world around us.
Environmentalism can show us value for God's creation and remind us that we are to be good stewards of the earth.
Buddhism can remind us that we were once much greater beings and all too often focus on our fallen state, who we are, than who we were or can be.
Islam and Judaism can teach us that even though we might not feel like we have faith, just going through the motions can get us through dry spells.
Even Atheism can teach us- it shows clearly the ultimate eternal futility of a life without God.
I know that the educational system is corrupt. I know that no matter how hard we try to keep it objective, we will never achieve a truly fair teaching of the religious systems. But wouldn't it be nice if, instead of teaching our kids to ridicule those who think differently, we taught them to respect and love all people?
PS- Check out what it means to be "called to be an apostle".
In science, they learn about “theories” of origin and then pick one in order to teach the rest of the curriculum. That's not science- it's assumption. It's a big game of “let's pretend”.
In history, they learn about white man's oppression. Oppression of Native Americans, of Africans, of women, of Hispanics.... of everyone. That's not history- it's propaganda.
I could go on, but it's on another issue that I want to focus my thoughts: religion.
I disagree with most people in that I believe religion should be taught in school. But before you start thinking about how you're going to argue with me, let me make my point.
What most people consider Religious Education is actually what I would call “indoctrination”. Now, I realize that this word has a rather bad rapport among most people. We hear “indoctrination” and we see images of uniform-clad, goose-stepping youth. We think that being indoctrinated means losing part of your identity or your ability to think. But indoctrination can be a very valuable tool in a family. In fact, I think it's part of our duty as parents to indoctrinate our children. I'll get back to this point in a minute.
First, I want to address what I think real religious education should be. I admit that I am an idealist and that this will probably never happen. But one can dream.
The educational establishment has failed us by convincing us that all religions are bunk (besides the teachers' pet religion of the 20th century: naturalism, or the current favorite: environmentalism). The church has also failed us (all churches have, mind you) in its educational approach of telling us that all religions except the one that they deign to ascribe to are wrong, or even stupid. The church makes fun of other religions because not everyone believes what we believe.
What the public school system should do is offer a complete look at all major religious systems: monotheism, polytheism, pantheism, atheism... etc. We can track historically the development of the major religious movements of today and investigate what different religions have in common.
For example: Most religious systems include some kind of higher being whose standard must be met in order to please him/her. The individual has to perform certain acts or live a specific lifestyle in order to please the god. The exception here is environmentalism, where Nature is the god, and the way to appease this deity is to do nothing.
I think kids would benefit about learning how Buddhism rose as a reaction to the polytheistic tendencies of Hinduism, how Christianity is an offshoot of Judaism, and how Naturalism has roots in the truth-seeking quandaries of the Greeks, who are generally acknowledged to have been polytheists.
But people are concerned that kids will be taught the wrong thing. And that's where family and the church come in. It's our responsibility to “indoctrinate” our children- to teach them the fundamentals of what we believe and why we believe it. And why we don't believe what those people believe. The answer is not that “those people are stupid” but rather that they have a different world view than we do. They believe something different about God.
My point, really, is this: if all truth is God's truth, then all religions must basically be rooted in that truth. Nothing can possibly be “all lies” because lies are in their very nature a distortion of the truth. There must be a basis of truth in everything. So the value in learning about other religions, then, is that we might be able to learn from them.
Naturalism can teach us to use the senses God gave us to learn about the world around us.
Environmentalism can show us value for God's creation and remind us that we are to be good stewards of the earth.
Buddhism can remind us that we were once much greater beings and all too often focus on our fallen state, who we are, than who we were or can be.
Islam and Judaism can teach us that even though we might not feel like we have faith, just going through the motions can get us through dry spells.
Even Atheism can teach us- it shows clearly the ultimate eternal futility of a life without God.
I know that the educational system is corrupt. I know that no matter how hard we try to keep it objective, we will never achieve a truly fair teaching of the religious systems. But wouldn't it be nice if, instead of teaching our kids to ridicule those who think differently, we taught them to respect and love all people?
PS- Check out what it means to be "called to be an apostle".
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Monday, July 07, 2008
The kids I might have
I just read a bunch of dooce and I recalled why I like her so much. She's real and although she's not a Christian (I know what you're thinking- seriously, why do I love satan so much?) she has a lot of great things to say. And every month, she writes an update letter to her daughter Leta about being a parent and how cool this 4-year-old is. I think this idea is the shizzle. She talks about how maybe (probably, definitely) her daughter will despise her one day for doing this, but how much more good it does than damage. And I've decided. I'm going to chronicle my kids.
Caleb and I have long ongoing discussions about kids. We both want them, but the method is in question. He's got his heart set on having kids the old fashioned way. Not me. There are so many reasons I want to adopt. I won't go into them now, but I feel very convicted about this. However, the things I feel very convicted about are changing almost daily, so we'll see. But also, our reason for wanting kids is different.
I think he wants them because it will be cool to have playmates. Wow! Another person that just wants to have fun all the time? Awesome!
I'm much more disenchanted. Sure, there will be good times, but somehow they will be squashed in between sleepless nights and crappy diapers and vomit all over my last clean shirt and wait I just picked up the living room that doesn't mean you can bring more of your toys out and potty training and mommy I'm hungry and how come he gets to go and I can't and I hate school and meetings with teachers because he stapled a girl's hair to the back of her chair and why didn't you do your homework and mommy what's sex and i hate you and you suck and don't use that language and no you're not leaving the house looking like that and maybe you should spend less time with those friends and what do you mean you want a car for your sixteenth birthday and you have to understand that guys only want one thing and no you can't get married because you're still my baby. (That may have been the longest run-on sentence ever). Is it worth it? I know all parents say that it is. But really, they're just saying that because they want you to hurry up and give them grandkids so that they can spoil them rotten to make up for all the grief you gave them. So I think maybe they're biased.
On the other hand, there's something incredibly appealing to me about giving it a shot. About having a chance to bring up the next generation. About being the primary influence in someone's life.
So I'll do it, don't get me wrong. And when my kids ask me if it's worth it, I'll chuckle evilly to myself and say, "Of course it is. So? Grandkids?"
In the mean time before I become a parent and while I'm still idealistic, I'm making a list of things I want to make sure to do when I'm a mom. It's not by any means complete. I will add to it as I go and I might change a few things too. But here it is:
1. Be careful what we say/ how we talk about people. I want my children to grow up in a home where they learn love for all people.
2. Kids should be exposed to our disagreements and how we deal with them. If not, they won't know how to disagree healthily on their own.
3. Let them work out things on their own- they need to learn how to resolve conflicts.
4. Convey a general attitude of respect and love toward all people.
5. Be polite to our children. Say please and thank you. Treat them with kindness.
6. Tell our kids often how cool they are and how awesome it is that God brought them into our family.
Much of this is inspired by my family and how I observe other families behaving. Some of it is very reactionary to things I've seen, and some of it is based on the things I think parents over the years have done right. But I'm no expert.
Caleb and I have long ongoing discussions about kids. We both want them, but the method is in question. He's got his heart set on having kids the old fashioned way. Not me. There are so many reasons I want to adopt. I won't go into them now, but I feel very convicted about this. However, the things I feel very convicted about are changing almost daily, so we'll see. But also, our reason for wanting kids is different.
I think he wants them because it will be cool to have playmates. Wow! Another person that just wants to have fun all the time? Awesome!
I'm much more disenchanted. Sure, there will be good times, but somehow they will be squashed in between sleepless nights and crappy diapers and vomit all over my last clean shirt and wait I just picked up the living room that doesn't mean you can bring more of your toys out and potty training and mommy I'm hungry and how come he gets to go and I can't and I hate school and meetings with teachers because he stapled a girl's hair to the back of her chair and why didn't you do your homework and mommy what's sex and i hate you and you suck and don't use that language and no you're not leaving the house looking like that and maybe you should spend less time with those friends and what do you mean you want a car for your sixteenth birthday and you have to understand that guys only want one thing and no you can't get married because you're still my baby. (That may have been the longest run-on sentence ever). Is it worth it? I know all parents say that it is. But really, they're just saying that because they want you to hurry up and give them grandkids so that they can spoil them rotten to make up for all the grief you gave them. So I think maybe they're biased.
On the other hand, there's something incredibly appealing to me about giving it a shot. About having a chance to bring up the next generation. About being the primary influence in someone's life.
So I'll do it, don't get me wrong. And when my kids ask me if it's worth it, I'll chuckle evilly to myself and say, "Of course it is. So? Grandkids?"
In the mean time before I become a parent and while I'm still idealistic, I'm making a list of things I want to make sure to do when I'm a mom. It's not by any means complete. I will add to it as I go and I might change a few things too. But here it is:
1. Be careful what we say/ how we talk about people. I want my children to grow up in a home where they learn love for all people.
2. Kids should be exposed to our disagreements and how we deal with them. If not, they won't know how to disagree healthily on their own.
3. Let them work out things on their own- they need to learn how to resolve conflicts.
4. Convey a general attitude of respect and love toward all people.
5. Be polite to our children. Say please and thank you. Treat them with kindness.
6. Tell our kids often how cool they are and how awesome it is that God brought them into our family.
Much of this is inspired by my family and how I observe other families behaving. Some of it is very reactionary to things I've seen, and some of it is based on the things I think parents over the years have done right. But I'm no expert.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Post # 100
Yes, that's right. This is my 100th post. I feel like that should be significant. I don't know if it will be, but I've decided to list some things that I'm working on or that I'm learning. And maybe some news or other little tidbits.
1. I'm a messy person. I've made peace with that. But sometimes, for the sake of someone else, I have to forego my leave-stuff-lying-around habits and be tidy. Even though it's not my style, I have to admit it feels nice not to have to quickly clean up whenever someone comes over.
2. PMS is real. And it's not fun. And we don't do it on purpose. Promise.
3. Women should be allowed to preach. Not to be pastors of churches, mind you, but just to preach a sermon occasionally. Seriously. This anti-woman activity in the church is none good. Pretty much we're saying, "Hey, you have nothing valuable to tell us. Or, if it is valuable, you should just tell it to women and hope that they tell it to their husbands and that their husbands aren't as chauvinistic as we are so they actually listen. But gosh, standing a woman up in front of a church and letting her say what God is teaching her? No, that can't be biblical. Unless she sings a song about it. Then it's okay, because the song was probably written by a man."
Okay, so maybe it's not quite like that. But really. I heard a woman preach a couple of weeks ago, and it was amazing. One of the best sermons I've ever heard.
4. So this peace thing that Jesus came to give us... it's not all that easy to follow. You, like, have to be nice to people. Like all the time.
5. No matter where you are, somehow, a person that you don't get along with will find you. And sometimes, they move in with you.
6. Now that I'm away from Mexico, I love all things Mexican.
7. I spent most of my life trying to ignore my feelings. I thought that if I didn't admit I had them, my life would be easier. I was wrong. Not acknowledging my feelings, I refused to consider them at all and so I could not possibly understand them. Now, I admit that I do have feelings. Sometimes I don't want to, but I have no choice. They're there. And now that I can say I have them, I can think about them, and maybe understand myself a bit better.
Recently, I awoke out of a feeling-free stupor and realized that even though I'd told Caleb that I didn't like flowers (because they die in like a week), when one of the girls here brought me just a couple of flowers that she pulled out of a bouquet she was giving to someone else, it felt good! Suddenly, I like flowers. Suddenly, it doesn't bother me so much that they're going to die. Is there something wrong with me? Or am I just being a silly girl (with a flower)?
8. Living in victory might not mean my victory. It's Christ's. Because I didn't save me from my sin. I am not the reason that I'm no longer a sinner!
9. When people try to start pointless arguments with me, I don't have to bite.
10. Sometimes, silence and/or a raised eyebrow is all you need. In the movie "Be Cool" John Travolta says more than once (when someone asks him what he's going to say), "No more than I have to, if that." Wish I could say that.
11.Having a stuffy nose all the time from constant dust and smog is no fun. And worse, there's nothing you can do about it.
12. The idea of getting married scared the living crap out of me. Seriously. And when I told my mom this, she didn't offer any comfort- no kind words. Just, "Good. that means you're seriously considering it as a lifelong decision." Thanks Mom. Not what I needed to hear. Sometimes, people should just be like, "Hey, you know it's gonna be okay. God's in charge and He knows what's best for you. You don't need to be scared- God takes care of His kids!" Wouldn't that be nice if people said that sometimes? Maybe I should do that for other people more often.
Okay, so that's some of what God's teaching me. What's He teaching you?
Update: Mom says she DID say God's in charge. I don't recall this. However, considering the state my memory is in (No but seriously, why did I come in here?) she's probably right. My bad, Mom.
1. I'm a messy person. I've made peace with that. But sometimes, for the sake of someone else, I have to forego my leave-stuff-lying-around habits and be tidy. Even though it's not my style, I have to admit it feels nice not to have to quickly clean up whenever someone comes over.
2. PMS is real. And it's not fun. And we don't do it on purpose. Promise.
3. Women should be allowed to preach. Not to be pastors of churches, mind you, but just to preach a sermon occasionally. Seriously. This anti-woman activity in the church is none good. Pretty much we're saying, "Hey, you have nothing valuable to tell us. Or, if it is valuable, you should just tell it to women and hope that they tell it to their husbands and that their husbands aren't as chauvinistic as we are so they actually listen. But gosh, standing a woman up in front of a church and letting her say what God is teaching her? No, that can't be biblical. Unless she sings a song about it. Then it's okay, because the song was probably written by a man."
Okay, so maybe it's not quite like that. But really. I heard a woman preach a couple of weeks ago, and it was amazing. One of the best sermons I've ever heard.
4. So this peace thing that Jesus came to give us... it's not all that easy to follow. You, like, have to be nice to people. Like all the time.
5. No matter where you are, somehow, a person that you don't get along with will find you. And sometimes, they move in with you.
6. Now that I'm away from Mexico, I love all things Mexican.
7. I spent most of my life trying to ignore my feelings. I thought that if I didn't admit I had them, my life would be easier. I was wrong. Not acknowledging my feelings, I refused to consider them at all and so I could not possibly understand them. Now, I admit that I do have feelings. Sometimes I don't want to, but I have no choice. They're there. And now that I can say I have them, I can think about them, and maybe understand myself a bit better.
Recently, I awoke out of a feeling-free stupor and realized that even though I'd told Caleb that I didn't like flowers (because they die in like a week), when one of the girls here brought me just a couple of flowers that she pulled out of a bouquet she was giving to someone else, it felt good! Suddenly, I like flowers. Suddenly, it doesn't bother me so much that they're going to die. Is there something wrong with me? Or am I just being a silly girl (with a flower)?
8. Living in victory might not mean my victory. It's Christ's. Because I didn't save me from my sin. I am not the reason that I'm no longer a sinner!
9. When people try to start pointless arguments with me, I don't have to bite.
10. Sometimes, silence and/or a raised eyebrow is all you need. In the movie "Be Cool" John Travolta says more than once (when someone asks him what he's going to say), "No more than I have to, if that." Wish I could say that.
11.Having a stuffy nose all the time from constant dust and smog is no fun. And worse, there's nothing you can do about it.
12. The idea of getting married scared the living crap out of me. Seriously. And when I told my mom this, she didn't offer any comfort- no kind words. Just, "Good. that means you're seriously considering it as a lifelong decision." Thanks Mom. Not what I needed to hear. Sometimes, people should just be like, "Hey, you know it's gonna be okay. God's in charge and He knows what's best for you. You don't need to be scared- God takes care of His kids!" Wouldn't that be nice if people said that sometimes? Maybe I should do that for other people more often.
Okay, so that's some of what God's teaching me. What's He teaching you?
Update: Mom says she DID say God's in charge. I don't recall this. However, considering the state my memory is in (No but seriously, why did I come in here?) she's probably right. My bad, Mom.
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