bible for children

[thedoc]

My wife is reading 'the Childrens Bible in 365 stories' by Mary Batchelor, published by David Cook, to the grandchildren and they seem to enjoy it, they ask to hear the stories. It will probably be useful to mention that the Bible is mostly Mythology and should not be read as if it were a historical and factual account. The stories teach a lesson just lke a fable or parable or other Mythologies.

If I am not mistaken YEC refers to 'Young Earth Creationists' and their material should be avoided, as it is not based on anything but wishful thinking. Present some science at the appropriate points, and be sure to make the child understand that Dinosaurs were long gone before humans appeared on earth, Dinosaurs did not die out becaused they missed getting on the Ark.

Another entertaining way to teach Bible stories is a series of videos called 'Veggietales'. The videos are based on Bible but bring elements into the stories that only an adult could appreciate. For example in the story of 'Josh and the Big Wall', (the story of Joshua and Jericho), There is a scene where Josh is confronting the walls of Jericho and is taunted by the soldiers on the wall. The soldiers have French accents and the scene is based on the Scene from Monty Python's 'The Holy Grail' where King Aurthor is approching the castle held by frenchmen. Most children will
not pick up on these references, but adults who have watched a lot of old movies will see the connection, and I believe these elements are there for the benefit of adults, who should watch the video with the child.

[Arising_uk]

what is the difference, if any, between indoctrination, and being taught views you do not support?

In the latter you don't have to believe them but just mouth them. In the former, if done properly you accept them as the uncritical truth. But indoctrination need not have just a negative connotation, after all in the case you mention its the teaching of Jesus Christs Christianity I'd guess you are aiming for, so read sections from the NT that supports the version of Christianity you wish to indoctrinate them with. Theres lots to choose from.

[Kayla]

thedoc, thank you, i will look those up - they sound like they may be appropriate

arising, 'indoctrination' usually has a negative meaning

if you mean by that 'teaching of something that the teacher believes to be true' that seems like an odd use for the word

to me 'indoctrination' refers to teaching takes no account of the view (well stated by js mill) that someone who only knows their own side of the argument does not even know that

i want - i really want - to teach the bible to children as well as i can - but to teach the bible to the exclusion of all else does not teach the bible at all

[marjoramblues]

double post

[marjoramblues]

.

[Arising_uk]

...
i want - i really want - to teach the bible to children as well as i can - but to teach the bible to the exclusion of all else does not teach the bible at all

Ah! Then you want to do what we(currently) do in our schools and thats teach comparative religion. So teach them each religion but don't forget to tell them about Atheism. I'll leave the suggestion of childrens books to others as its not my field. Good luck.

[Kayla]

major brambles,

the bible says that god wishes everyone to be saved

since what god wants, god gets, universalism logically follows - so damnation is not something that is high on my list of concerns

arising,

comparative religion in public schools cannot take the view that some religion or some metaphysical view is better than others - which is as it should be

my view is not neutral - its just that to present my views effectively i cannot restrict myself to my views alone

[Godfree]

...
i want - i really want - to teach the bible to children as well as i can - but to teach the bible to the exclusion of all else does not teach the bible at all

Ah! Then you want to do what we(currently) do in our schools and thats teach comparative religion. So teach them each religion but don't forget to tell them about Atheism. I'll leave the suggestion of childrens books to others as its not my field. Good luck.

Just for a change Arising , we agree , I see no problem with telling children about religion ,
but keep it real , the bible is full of great battles that proved gods greatness ,
only problem was , often the other side was claiming the same ,
so don't forget to mention the crusades , a very important period in our history ,
so there was all the torture , hot metal face plates , dunking's , burnt at the stake ,
don't forget all of these details , and there is one more my favourite ,
the crusaders are documented to have eaten babies , roasted on a spit ,,,
does this sound like a suitable story for a child ,
this is the reality ,
I'm getting the feeling you just want pretty little lies , tell me lies tell me lies ,,,!!!

[marjoramblues]

.

[Arising_uk]

my view is not neutral - its just that to present my views effectively i cannot restrict myself to my views alone

But then all you'll be saying is mine good these bad? You might as well just indoctrinate them in the sense of without critique if your aim is to get them to be Christians. Just let them read only the NT.

[Kayla]

my view is not neutral - its just that to present my views effectively i cannot restrict myself to my views alone

But then all you'll be saying is mine good these bad? You might as well just indoctrinate them in the sense of without critique if your aim is to get them to be Christians. Just let them read only the NT.

not sure what you are getting at here

are you saying one should only teach anything from a purely neutral point of view - whatever that is

[marjoramblues]

.

[Arising_uk]

not sure what you are getting at here

are you saying one should only teach anything from a purely neutral point of view - whatever that is

Not quite, I'm saying that comparison and context is important if you are trying to teach others to think about what is being taught and to make-up their own mind. Thats if you believe one's view to be the correct one by reason and evidence that is, as what fear has one if one believes that what they believe is true by reason.

[thedoc]

Teach them about the median of Humanity, but also teach them about the extremes, Mother Teresa and Vlad the Impaler, just for balance.

[attofishpi]

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

That (one of Christs) and about another ten that the Jews scored off God via Moses are all any child, wo\men need so as when adhered to shall avert the wrath of God's evil...