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Rahn
Guest
My wife just recently bought the “Friendly Defenders” set of flash cards (for our kids). I was wondering if anyone has experience with them or has an opinion of them.
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adamhovey1988
Guest
I don’t have any kids, so not particularly but I do get my nieces and nephews stuff like that. Hopefully, this bumps it so you get someone to answer.
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Joe_5859
Guest
I have them. I haven’t really used them with my kids, though.
They are nice in that they give some nice, simple talking points regarding many of the most common objections to the Catholic faith. They’re really just a starting point, though.
They are nice in that they give some nice, simple talking points regarding many of the most common objections to the Catholic faith. They’re really just a starting point, though.
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1Lord1Faith
Guest
I’ve never heard of these before. I looked up a sample card. I have to say that the subject of the sample card that I saw is not something I would try to approach with a six year old. The sample presented an objection to objective truth, and then tried to gave a simple answer. But the answer was somewhat circular and IMO not simple or concrete enough for a first step into that argument for a child.
If the sample I saw was like the rest of the cards then I would not feel comfortable using these with my kids. It has somewhat of a Baltimore Catechism feel to it. Those types of questions, or objections, however you want to frame them, are much too complicated for such a framework as question and answer, or flash cards for defending the faith. There’s risk in oversimplifiing answers to theological questions in such a way that presents the answers as definitively simple and straightforward. It’s not a bad starting point, but IMO a child’s mind should not be exercised in this particular way when it comes to this sort of subject matter.
If the sample I saw was like the rest of the cards then I would not feel comfortable using these with my kids. It has somewhat of a Baltimore Catechism feel to it. Those types of questions, or objections, however you want to frame them, are much too complicated for such a framework as question and answer, or flash cards for defending the faith. There’s risk in oversimplifiing answers to theological questions in such a way that presents the answers as definitively simple and straightforward. It’s not a bad starting point, but IMO a child’s mind should not be exercised in this particular way when it comes to this sort of subject matter.
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Joe_5859
Guest
As one who owns the cards, I think that’s a pretty fair assessment and criticism. It’s like they were graphically designed for young children, but the content is more suitable for older children and adults.
Yes, I’m always a bit nervous about condensing complex issues into a couple of “zingers” that can fit on the back of a 4x6 card. Not that there isn’t a place for such things. It can serve as the skeletal outline upon which to hang more detailed answers. But it would seem an odd thing to do with 6 year olds. I think middle school would probably be a better age. But then, I do feel kind of weird like I’m training my kid to go toe-to-toe with door-to-door evangelists or something.
Yes, I’m always a bit nervous about condensing complex issues into a couple of “zingers” that can fit on the back of a 4x6 card. Not that there isn’t a place for such things. It can serve as the skeletal outline upon which to hang more detailed answers. But it would seem an odd thing to do with 6 year olds. I think middle school would probably be a better age. But then, I do feel kind of weird like I’m training my kid to go toe-to-toe with door-to-door evangelists or something.
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