The Holiday Season

[=M97=]

Its that time of the year again. The holidays are upon us and we beginning to see the images of the classic characters of the season.

I am the father of 2 girls. The elder will be 3 in two days. And I see the influence that these characters have on them. They dance and clap their hands and laugh ecstatically. I know that over the years the anticipation of Christmas will build in them... SantaClaus, reindeer, snowmen... and of course presents. But at what cost? I find it shameful that, thru media and marketing, the real meaning of Christmas is hushed and buried. (Nevermind the origin of the date and its relation to the Solstice - that could be a whole new thread. )

My question is - for parents and non-parents alike.
At what point do we stop the charade? ... within our families that is. I mean, I believe it is harmess at such a young age for them to be so blindly blissful over such obvious fiction. We as parents enjoy and live to see our children happy... whatever it takes. But at what point do we 'burst their bubble' and tell them the true meanings of Christmas / Hanukkah / Ramadan?...whatever your faith (My continuous mentionings of Christmas are strictly in knowing my wifes Christian beliefs which will undoubtably be the initial faith system of our children.)

So please - lets build on this - I ask as a parent who could benefit from the council of his peers.

[Os3y3ris]

Im nt a parent, but if your wife is a christian, and youre not, keep your mouth shut. They'll hear the facts of the Jesus matter eventually. As far as santa goes though, deal with that ASAP.

[contrastiktion]

Os3y3ris said:

Im nt a parent, but if your wife is a christian, and youre not, keep your mouth shut. They'll hear the facts of the Jesus matter eventually. As far as santa goes though, deal with that ASAP.

i dont think his wife is THAT religious. more like.. christian by default... but anyway, why tell about santa and not jesus? cuz we can all agree santa is BS, but w/ jesus the jury may still be out?

M, i'd say that the world is amazing and entertaining enough to children w/ out creating some false mysteries. The tales we tell just further complicate a coonfusing situation for children. Im no parent either, but i hope when/if i am, that im brave and wise enuff to give them as much proper guidence as i can...and avoid losing thier trust by telling them things i KNOW to be false.

[Os3y3ris]

Jesus is a commonly held belief that has some merit. Santa is the personification of capitalism.

[SAMURAI36]

Os3y3ris said:

Im nt a parent, but if your wife is a christian, and youre not, keep your mouth shut. They'll hear the facts of the Jesus matter eventually. As far as santa goes though, deal with that ASAP.

HUH?? Why?? Why doesn't your wife "Keep her mouth shut"??

And what happens when whatever holiday that the man wants the family to observe rolls around (like RAMADAN)? Who "keeps their mouth shut" then??

That is precisely the mentality that strips men of their influence in the family structure; I've seen it happen all too many times.

I thought the man was supposed to be the "head of the unit", even in CHRISTIANITY?

If so, then it is the wife that is supposed to honor the husband's wishes. He is not supposed to acquiesce to hers.

Not that I agree with such non-sense anyways........It should be THOROUGHLY discussed by both parties.

And for that matter, that should be discussed LONG before children are brought into the mix. You should not be waiting till DECEMBER of whatever year, to discuss something that important.

Such a topic can divide a family faster than adultery. Further, it's utterly ridiculous to condone the lack of communication in relationships.

I will discuss such matters with my wife, and I will do so LONG before she even becomes my wife.

It's all about preventive measures, rather than crisis management; it's way too late to handle and issue, by the time it becomes and issue.

[Os3y3ris]

HUH?? Why?? Why doesn't your wife "Keep her mouth shut"??

Because she's going personally offended most likely. If she's really a Christian, she has a duty to raise her children in the same manner. I assume she's already started. Open contradiction is foolishness. If she chooses to change her beliefs, thats cool, but at the moment him saying something to the children would be retarded. Now, talking to HER is something different and an intergal part of evey marriage.

And what happens when whatever holiday that the man wants the family to observe rolls around (like RAMADAN)? Who "keeps their mouth shut" then??

She does. He tells the kids why he does what he does. Eventually they'll make a choice when they get older.

I thought the man was supposed to be the "head of the unit", even in CHRISTIANITY?

If so, then it is the wife that is supposed to honor the husband's wishes. He is not supposed to acquiesce to hers.

Not that I agree with such non-sense anyways........It should be THOROUGHLY discussed by both parties.

You said it for me.

And for that matter, that should be discussed LONG before children are brought into the mix. You should not be waiting till DECEMBER of whatever year, to discuss something that important.

Read his post. Kinda late.

Such a topic can divide a family faster than adultery. Further, it's utterly ridiculous to condone the lack of communication in relationships.

In case the above comments are unclear, Ill say clearly that he should speak with his wife. More like "should have spoken", but whatever. he should NOT say anything to the CHILDREN at this point.

I will discuss such matters with my wife, and I will do so LONG before she even becomes my wife.

Agreed.

[=M97=]

Sheathe thy blades, brethrin - for it was not my intention to promote the belittlement of each others words.

Contrastiktion= M, i'd say that the world is amazing and entertaining enough to children w/ out creating some false mysteries. The tales we tell just further complicate a coonfusing situation for children. Im no parent either, but i hope when/if i am, that im brave and wise enuff to give them as much proper guidence as i can...and avoid losing thier trust by telling them things i KNOW to be false.

Agreed 100% my brother.

O3sy3ris= And for that matter, that should be discussed LONG before children are brought into the mix. You should not be waiting till DECEMBER of whatever year, to discuss something that important.

Neither my wife or I have promoted nor introduced the myths of Santa or his clan into our family. It was discussed long before we had children that we would steer them clear of false teachings and fantasy when it came down to religious holidays. I agreed that Christianity would be an ideal building platform for our children (against the opinions of my Catholic family) - or as their only religion. That is fine with me as I have found as much validity in the faith as with others before it.

The problem is it is everywhere you look. The decorated trees. The reindeer. Snow and tinsel. And of course children sitting on the fat mans lap. And it drives kids crazy. Television, though we have made attemts to limit it to certain hours and channels (Discovery,AnimalPlanet, and other educational based) are still littered with mixed messages. And it finds its way into the minds of children. The curiousity builds. And it goes without saying that no matter how much we stress the significance of the 'BabyJesus" - to a child, who goes off purely what they see, there is more validity and excitement in the existence of the former character.

When we discussed it previously we had agreed that would enroll our children in private school. A school that would include Bible study as part of the curriculum, as I believe there is much to be learned in the scripture. I have also expained to her - with her full agreement - that when the time came, if they were to ask me about my esoteric beliefs, I would not hold back - given they had already developed an understanding of spirituallity. My fathers way of doing so was to simply toss a book of ancient Egypt to me and saying "Read this". (He was not much of a father - but he did make sure he set me on my course - and for that I am thankful).

So... with that clear... I will reiterate the question.

Should I, a parent who intends to enroll his children in private school - which includes Bible study - take it upon myself to begin the teachings at this present age? Or should I wait until the time of enrollment where they can be properly introduced to religion by those who do so as a living? In the meantime I shall do my best to shield them from fantasy as to not pollute the foundation of their beliefs or to "avoid losing thier trust by telling them things i KNOW to be false".

[SAMURAI36]

PEACE M:

Sheathe thy blades, brethrin - for it was not my intention to promote the belittlement of each others words.

LOL, please 4-give the intrusion on your topic like that bro. O and I have history of sorts, and no harm, no foul--against each other, or against you--was intended.

Should I, a parent who intends to enroll his children in private school - which includes Bible study - take it upon myself to begin the teachings at this present age? Or should I wait until the time of enrollment where they can be properly introduced to religion by those who do so as a living? In the meantime I shall do my best to shield them from fantasy as to not pollute the foundation of their beliefs or to "avoid losing thier trust by telling them things i KNOW to be false".

This is difficult to say.....Given what I know thus far of you, I find it odd that such discussions have not already been had prior to the giving birth of Seeds (children).

I'm also a bit surprised to hear that you would send them to an institution--private or otherwise--in which The BIBLE will utilized as an instrument in the educative process.

I would MOST DEFINITELY recommend that you begin instilling in them, your knowledge on that subject, as well as others, ASAP, especially before they spend a considerable amount of time being indoctrinated by such an institution.
This is especially important, because I'm sure you well know, that the longer they spend in such a predicament, the harder it is for them to turn down a "different path" in their life journey.

Given the pathology of knowledge that I've come to see from you and your work, that shouldn't be too difficult a task to perform....

Speaking for myself, I was raised with CHRISTMAS looked 4-ward to in my childhood......However, my journey of Enlightenment also took place at 11 years old, so I my spiritual into my own hands and that young age.

The same can/will not be said for most youth these days; it's very much up to the parent(s) to guide them as best they can.

Situations like that are duly delicate, as this not only effects the parents in their relationship, but also their relationship with their children, quite obviously.

I have also expained to her - with her full agreement - that when the time came, if they were to ask me about my esoteric beliefs, I would not hold back - given they had already developed an understanding of spirituallity. My fathers way of doing so was to simply toss a book of ancient Egypt to me and saying "Read this". (He was not much of a father - but he did make sure he set me on my course - and for that I am thankful).

Not that I am here to debate your decision and ability as a parent (for I am not one), but I am rather curious:

Why would you wait for your children to "ask about it"?

This to me, is like waiting for your children to ask for fruits and vegetables, as if, at that young age, they are going to realize the benefits of such foods.



What if they NEVER ask?

I have to admit, your father's lack of parental influence notwithstanding, I applaud him for doing what he did, in the way that he did it.

I am going to teach my children (assuming I ever have any EVERYTHING I feel their little minds are prepared to learn.

It is my duty as their father to teach them what I know; that is the best that any parent should be x-pected to do.

Should I, a parent who intends to enroll his children in private school - which includes Bible study - take it upon myself to begin the teachings at this present age?

To this question, I VEHEMENTLY answer:

YES YOU SHOULD.

Think about it: no one has waited for them to gain an understanding, before they were x-posed (by default) to JESUS, SANTA, etc.......

I say "by default", because everytime your children sit in front of the TV, go to the store, play with other kids, etc., they are x-posed to those concepts, and the belief systems that they stem from by association.

They don't have a choice in the matter.

In the meantime, are they being x-posed to KEMET "by default"?

You must fight fire with WATER.

There are numerous HINDU, NATIVE AMERICAN, KEMETIC, and other spiritual/cultural fables that can be read to children by their parents.

One such book is:


The Parent's guide to The Asarian Resurrection

There are numerous others, some of which I have on my shelf at this very moment.

If you want your little ones to have this knowledge, then you must take it upon yourself to teach it to them.

PEACE

[Os3y3ris]

Sheathe thy blades, brethrin - for it was not my intention to promote the belittlement of each others words.

My bad man.

Should I, a parent who intends to enroll his children in private school - which includes Bible study - take it upon myself to begin the teachings at this present age? Or should I wait until the time of enrollment where they can be properly introduced to religion by those who do so as a living? In the meantime I shall do my best to shield them from fantasy as to not pollute the foundation of their beliefs or to "avoid losing thier trust by telling them things i KNOW to be false".

Start them now, yourself.

[=M97=]

SAM7= Speaking for myself, I was raised with CHRISTMAS looked 4-ward to in my childhood......However, my journey of Enlightenment also took place at 11 years old, so I my spiritual into my own hands and that young age.

11 years old... and yet you still have become wise in your years. It is with the most heartfelt hope that I wish the same day of enlightenment on my children. I believe that having a strong foundation and a thirst for knowledge and truth will eventually place them on the proper path.

SAM7= Why would you wait for your children to "ask about it"?

I guess I really have no answer to that other than that they may be too young to grasp the understandings of pantheons, as there is much more to take into consideration compared to simple Christianity... as there are so many details of so many cultures that make up the truth. As stated before, I have faith that no matter what they are taught by outside influence either by society of institution, will be enough to cause them to ask questions - as there are contradictions in scripture that cannot be prescisely explained by explanation thru the reading of more scripture. Some questions will fester. And plant the seed of desire... desire to learn.

SAM7= What if they NEVER ask?

Perhaps I didnt consider the most simple thing that could co wrong. However, in this case I would have to intervene as I would fear my children to live in the dark. I am currently teaching my wife some of what I have learned. It is difficult however when an individual has lived with blinders on all their life. As my father did - I've started with the pyramid and the secrets that lie therein - and how the secrets of the universe lie in the measurements and numbers of the construction. It is tangible and 'set in stone' (no pun intended).
theomachy.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=ANUNNAKI&action=display&thread=1097083101

SAM7= I have to admit, your father's lack of parental influence notwithstanding, I applaud him for doing what he did, in the way that he did it

O3sy3ris= Start them now, yourself.

I value the opinions of the council. My agenda is clear. It will start soon. Though the methods will be tentative,

[contrastiktion]

Also, i would consider letting them know (as hard as it may be for you, and them) , that you, and no other "adults" are INFALLABLE... don't be afraid to say "I don't know", or to remind them that the various teachings are opinions... and there are always alternatives....LMAO... it may make for tough disciplining or whatever in the teen years... free thinkning youth are dangerous to us old folk... but as long as you let them know that you love and care for their well being and happiness more then anyone, then im sure they'll respect your wishes and opinions

[Kephrem]

Read to them, JEREMIAH 10:2-5.

[=M97=]

PEACE KEPH...

I have been looking for that verse for some 10 years now. Every year I am reminded that I HAVE READ THAT SOMEWHERE!. I was never able to find it. I have done internet searches... I've searched thru all my highlights in my Bible... and NOTHING!

You're probably thinking '10years?' LOL.. yea I have, but it's not like I searched nonstop obviously.

Thank You!
Much Gratitude! M

[SAMURAI36]

Kephrem said:

Read to them, JEREMIAH 10:2-5.

TRUE INDEED!!

That one passage crushes that whole CHRISTMAS concept like cock-roaches.