Answering your kids' doubts

[Abundant]

Each week after mass, we go to breakfast and discuss Father’s homily, the readings, etc. We’ve always encouraged our kids to ask questions and we try to be prepared to either answer them or help them find an answer. Well, this week my 6th grader asked a question that I’ve struggled with myself and I’m hoping one of you can help.

He is learning about ancient Mesopotamia, Rome, Greece, etc in school. He asked, “Mom, you know how people used to worship sky gods and all different kind of gods and we think it was weird? Well, when you really think about it, don’t we do the same thing? Aren’t we just worshipping some big spirit in the sky?”

How do we overcome this doubt and line of questioning not only in our children, but I’m ourselves too?

 

[amrin]

Keeping in mind that I’m not an expert in all kinds of ancient mythology, I think the God of Christianity was the only one who was incarnated, lived among the people, died and rose again.

That is one thing that distinguishes Christianity from the majority if not even all the other religions ancient and new alike.

Also God is not a spirit in the sky, God its the essence of being itself. We tend to like to give God human attributes because that’s how we can perceive the world, as a human, but you can’t really imagine what (being) God is. Just like when you look to a cat and you know all he does and how he might act, but the truth is, you will never know how it is an experience of being a cat, unless you are a cat. The same way, a cat will never be able to know what being a human is.

Watch this video from Fr Barron, it might help you a bit as well.

youtube.com/watch?v=3ZkHv8iTJPo

 

[Truth_Faith13]

I’d probably say that Jesus wasnt a spirit in the sky and the same way we know the Romans existed (accounts, history etc) we know that Jesus existed.

I’m no expert though!

 

[ialsop]

Big spirits in the sky dont affect history.

Explain that something explosive happened in 1st century palestine, revolving around this carpenter Jesus son of Joseph…something so explosive that after 2,014 years we still count the years based off of the event.
And explain that the Jews were waiting for a victorious messiah. Also, that most Jews thought the afterlife was impossible, and none thought Resurrection was possible or logical.

And they think the messiah was Jesus. Why? Because the Messiah would be the ultimate victor. Now, Roman historical documents prove he was crucified in Jerusalem under Pilate, a Roman leader. Now, many messianic movements have started before. But when the “Messiah” dies, it is poof that he is NOT the victor. The apostles were in despair, heartbroken, and had all faith swiped out of them. BUT suddenly three days later, this EXPLODES and thousands upon thousands start WORSHIPING this man…and miracles are documented in his name, and a Church is founded out of nowhere. This church has a leader, and the bishops, and sacraments. And thousands convert. Out of nowhere. Because they say this Jesus resurrected. Whoah. that was an idea that came from nowhere. Unless it as true.
And they were not lying. As these thousands were threatening the Roman Empire, when NO force on Earth had done so previously. So the Romans hunted, arrested, tortured, mocked, killed. BUT THE MASSES KEPT CONVERTING. And none of these apostles or christians ever renounced this man Jesus, under any pain, torture, or humiliation. The Empire fell and THOUSANDS of years later, the Church has a billion members, flourishing theology, apolegetics, a Bible, beautiful tradition, and moral codes and all of this HAS NOT CHANGED AT ALL FOR 2000 YEARS.

Then ask your child if any Mesopotamian sky spirits could pull that off…

 

[JamalChristophr]

I think one of the key aspects, if not the key aspect is help them understand the core of our faith, which is the Gospel, which is the revelation in Jesus Christ of God’s mercy to sinners.

Help them to understand that Jesus Christ was a real person who had a historical basis who did real miracles, etc.

He is the visible image of our invisible God.

Hope that helps a little. God Bless!

 

[Abundant]

Big spirits in the sky dont affect history.

Explain that something explosive happened in 1st century palestine, revolving around this carpenter Jesus son of Joseph…something so explosive that after 2,014 years we still count the years based off of the event.
And explain that the Jews were waiting for a victorious messiah. Also, that most Jews thought the afterlife was impossible, and none thought Resurrection was possible or logical.

And they think the messiah was Jesus. Why? Because the Messiah would be the ultimate victor. Now, Roman historical documents prove he was crucified in Jerusalem under Pilate, a Roman leader. Now, many messianic movements have started before. But when the “Messiah” dies, it is poof that he is NOT the victor. The apostles were in despair, heartbroken, and had all faith swiped out of them. BUT suddenly three days later, this EXPLODES and thousands upon thousands start WORSHIPING this man…and miracles are documented in his name, and a Church is founded out of nowhere. This church has a leader, and the bishops, and sacraments. And thousands convert. Out of nowhere. Because they say this Jesus resurrected. Whoah. that was an idea that came from nowhere. Unless it as true.
And they were not lying. As these thousands were threatening the Roman Empire, when NO force on Earth had done so previously. So the Romans hunted, arrested, tortured, mocked, killed. BUT THE MASSES KEPT CONVERTING. And none of these apostles or christians ever renounced this man Jesus, under any pain, torture, or humiliation. The Empire fell and THOUSANDS of years later, the Church has a billion members, flourishing theology, apolegetics, a Bible, beautiful tradition, and moral codes and all of this HAS NOT CHANGED AT ALL FOR 2000 YEARS.

Then ask your child if any Mesopotamian sky spirits could pull that off…

Great post!

 

[Estevao]

St. Paul faced the same doubt in Athens once. It also ties in with that Father Barron video someone posted in case you think all that high-falootin’ philosophy isn’t biblical:

16 Now whilst Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him, seeing the city wholly given to idolatry.

17 He disputed, therefore, in the synagogue with the Jews, and with them that served God, and in the marketplace, every day with them that were there.

18 And certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics disputed with him; and some said: What is it, that this word sower would say? But others: He seemeth to be a setter forth of new gods; because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.

19 And taking him, they brought him to the Areopagus, saying: May we know what this new doctrine is, which thou speakest of?

20 For thou bringest in certain new things to our ears. We would know therefore what these things mean.

21 (Now all the Athenians, and strangers that were there, employed themselves in nothing else, but either in telling or in hearing some new thing.)

22 But Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious.

23 For passing by, and seeing your idols, I found an altar also, on which was written: To the unknown God. What therefore you worship, without knowing it, that I preach to you:

24 God, who made the world, and all things therein; he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25 Neither is he served with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing; seeing it is he who giveth to all life, and breath, and all things:

26 And hath made of one, all mankind, to dwell upon the whole face of the earth, determining appointed times, and the limits of their habitation.

27 That they should seek God, if happily they may feel after him or find him, although he be not far from every one of us:

28 For in him we live, and move, and are; as some also of your own poets said: For we are also his offspring.

29 Being therefore the offspring of God, we must not suppose the divinity to be like unto gold, or silver, or stone, the graving of art, and device of man.

30 And God indeed having winked at the times of this ignorance, now declareth unto men, that all should everywhere do penance.

31 Because he hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in equity, by the man whom he hath appointed; giving faith to all, by raising him up from the dead.

32 And when they had heard of the resurrection of the dead, some indeed mocked, but others said: We will hear thee again concerning this matter.

33 So Paul went out from among them.

34 But certain men adhering to him, did believe; among whom was also Dionysius, the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.