Good questions from 5th graders

[Mordocai]

Do you know the answer to these questions? (The 5th graders from my religous ed. asked me them)

Do animals go to Heaven? I’ve heard the best way to answer this to kids is “If that is what we need to be perfectly happy then animals will be there in Heaven with us.”

Does God decide when a person should die based on how good of a person they are when they die? Basically they are asking how does God know when people need to die?

Who made God?/ How is it possible that no one was before God? They really are interested in how there was no one before God. Is there a good way to explain how God is eternal and there was no one before Him?

Does God or the devil make the bad weather like hurricanes? If God does, why does He do that knowing thousands of people will be killed?

---

Thank you

 

[teachccd]

I teach 7th and 8th grade and have taught 6th and subbed in all grades so these questions are not foreign to me. Here is what I’ve said:

Do animals go to Heaven? I’ve heard the best way to answer this to kids is “If that is what we need to be perfectly happy then animals will be there in Heaven with us.”

That is exactly what I tell the kids. At ten years old they do not need to know that animals do not have immortal souls. And I’ve heard priests answer this the same way with the understanding that the world to come will still be a creation of God so there is no reason to believe that animals won’t be there.

Does God decide when a person should die based on how good of a person they are when they die? Basically they are asking how does God know when people need to die?

People die for all sorts of reaons and call calls them home when they do. God does not “cause” someone to die even though, since He knows everything, He knows when that will be. Some people die of old age, disease, accidents, murder but God does not cause these things. So a bad person can live to be 100 and a really good person can die young. We are not made to live here but to live with God in heaven. This is a place where we can say “I love you” to God for how much He loves us and then for whatever reason we go home to Him.

Who made God?/ How is it possible that no one was before God? They really are interested in how there was no one before God. Is there a good way to explain how God is eternal and there was no one before Him?

That’s why He is God. Only He can know that answer because if we did then we would be God. Sometimes God tells us things that we do not understand and that is o.k… If God wants us to know He will tell us in heaven. But He told us that He was always here so we believe God even if we can’t understand.

Does God or the devil make the bad weather like hurricanes? If God does, why does He do that knowing thousands of people will be killed?

Thank you

Just like people can get sick the world can get sick, too. God does not cause people or the world to get sick. It is just a part of being who we are. The devil doesn’t make anything. All he does is he tries to take us away from God by showing us ways to sin. Only God makes everything and he makes everything good even though people and the world have to get “sick” sometimes. But always know that God takes care of us no matter what, even if you have to wait to see how.

You should see the questions in my junior high question box and I won’t even go with the questions that I get from my 10th grade confirmation group. Last night we had a discussion on objective truth and how we must grasp that concept to find moral truths. Yes, it gets deep. I definitely don’t have all the answers and perhaps others have better responses. I hope that I helped a bit…teachccd

 

[bigfootbob]

Do you know the answer to these questions? (The 5th graders from my religous ed. asked me them)
Do animals go to Heaven? I’ve heard the best way to answer this to kids is “If that is what we need to be perfectly happy then animals will be there in Heaven with us.”

No. Not at this point.

Who made God?/ How is it possible that no one was before God?

They really are interested in how there was no one before God. Is there a good way to explain how God is eternal and there was no one before Him? It has to stop somewhere. (if we were created by God, and God was created by something else, something else was created by…)

Does God or the devil make the bad weather like hurricanes? If God does, why does He do that knowing thousands of people will be killed?

I am not sure, but I think there is a certain rank of angles (ie. cherubim, seraphim…) that controls nature. (fallen angels too)

 

[teachccd]

I am not sure, but I think there is a certain rank of angles (ie. cherubim, seraphim…) that controls nature. (fallen angels too)

Where did you find that angels control nature? Just curious…

 

[wanstronian]

I assume, then, that you present the existence of God as a fact, rather than, “some people believe…” ?

Don’t you have a responsibility in the US (assume that’s where you are), not to indoctrinate innocent minors with unproven dogma? Are you really allowed to just tell kids that God exists?

 

[teachccd]

I assume, then, that you present the existence of God as a fact, rather than, “some people believe…” ?

Don’t you have a responsibility in the US (assume that’s where you are), not to indoctrinate innocent minors with unproven dogma? Are you really allowed to just tell kids that God exists?

God does exist. Prove to me that he doesn’t. I can prove to you that there is no planet between earth and mars so prove to me that there is no God. I don’t want to derail this thread so keep those as rhetorical statements and go back to your science books with their theories that indoctrinate innocent minors…teachccd

 

[wanstronian]

God does exist. Prove to me that he doesn’t. I can prove to you that there is no planet between earth and mars so prove to me that there is no God. I don’t want to derail this thread so keep those as rhetorical statements and go back to your science books with their theories that indoctrinate innocent minors…teachccd

So you teach anything for which there is no evidence to the contrary, as fact?

Presumably, by your own criterion, you teach them that unicorns and fairies exist, that there is a teapot orbiting the sun, and that frogs communicate by telepathy. Along with the infinite number of other groundless assertions that can’t be proved wrong?

I am astonished at your misuse of the word “indoctrination” - teaching the empirically provable fact of evolution is indoctrination, yet asserting the existence of an unproven God is not? This is the most narrow-minded and intellectually bereft comment I have yet read on this forum, and that’s saying something.

I feel sorry for the children that are having their receptive young minds defiled by your irrational personal beliefs. Hopefully most of them are intelligent enough to cast off the shackles of this dogma when they escape your abuse and are given the opportunity to start thinking for themselves.

I won’t “derail” this thread any further, as you are clearly incapable of understanding the irrationality of your actions. You are the epitome of theistic narrow-mindedness. Please wish your kids good luck from me.

 

[wanstronian]

God does exist. Prove to me that he doesn’t. I can prove to you that there is no planet between earth and mars so prove to me that there is no God. I don’t want to derail this thread so keep those as rhetorical statements and go back to your science books with their theories that indoctrinate innocent minors…teachccd

So you teach anything for which there is no evidence to the contrary, as fact?

Presumably, by your own criterion, you teach them that unicorns and fairies exist, that there is a teapot orbiting the sun, and that frogs communicate by telepathy. Along with the infinite number of other groundless assertions that can’t be proved wrong?

I am astonished at your misuse of the word “indoctrination” - teaching the empirically provable fact of evolution is indoctrination, yet asserting the existence of an unproven God is not? This is the most narrow-minded and intellectually bereft comment I have yet read on this forum, and that’s saying something.

I feel sorry for the children that are having their receptive young minds defiled by your irrational personal beliefs. Hopefully most of them are intelligent enough to cast off the shackles of this dogma when they escape your abuse and are given the opportunity to start thinking for themselves.

I won’t “derail” this thread any further, as you are clearly incapable of understanding the irrationality of your actions. You are the epitome of theistic narrow-mindedness. Please wish your kids good luck from me.

 

[StrawberryJam]

This is a religious education class, I am guessing a CCD class?

I suppose only the book answers (CCC) will work here. I don’t know how you will be able to handle the last question on your list though. That one is ultimately either going to cause most of them to view God in a negative way, or reject him utterly. Even if they remain silent and just go with the flow to get through the class to make their parents happy, I think it’s a hurdle even for practicing christians too. Pushing it out of your mind and pretending it’s not there can work only so long. At this age they won’t understand all the fancy footwork I see being offered as an answer to that here with folks like myself.

So, best wishes on this class.

 

[bigfootbob]

Where did you find that angels control nature? Just curious…

A very well educated deacon.

 

[StrawberryJam]

A very well educated deacon.

I’m not surprised to see speculation like his because it is nothing more than good spin doctoring to claim “angels did it” to take the “heat” off the Christian God. Good spinwork there.

 

[Mordocai]

So you teach anything for which there is no evidence to the contrary, as fact?

Presumably, by your own criterion, you teach them that unicorns and fairies exist, that there is a teapot orbiting the sun, and that frogs communicate by telepathy. Along with the infinite number of other groundless assertions that can’t be proved wrong?

I am astonished at your misuse of the word “indoctrination” - teaching the empirically provable fact of evolution is indoctrination, yet asserting the existence of an unproven God is not? This is the most narrow-minded and intellectually bereft comment I have yet read on this forum, and that’s saying something.

I feel sorry for the children that are having their receptive young minds defiled by your irrational personal beliefs. Hopefully most of them are intelligent enough to cast off the shackles of this dogma when they escape your abuse and are given the opportunity to start thinking for themselves.

I won’t “derail” this thread any further, as you are clearly incapable of understanding the irrationality of your actions. You are the epitome of theistic narrow-mindedness. Please wish your kids good luck from me.

Wanstronian,

It is a catechism class. There is the assumption that God exists.

Thanks all for your answers. I’ll have to look further into the weather question.

Mordocai

 

[teachccd]

So you teach anything for which there is no evidence to the contrary, as fact?

Presumably, by your own criterion, you teach them that unicorns and fairies exist, that there is a teapot orbiting the sun, and that frogs communicate by telepathy. Along with the infinite number of other groundless assertions that can’t be proved wrong?

I am astonished at your misuse of the word “indoctrination” - teaching the empirically provable fact of evolution is indoctrination, yet asserting the existence of an unproven God is not? This is the most narrow-minded and intellectually bereft comment I have yet read on this forum, and that’s saying something.

I feel sorry for the children that are having their receptive young minds defiled by your irrational personal beliefs. Hopefully most of them are intelligent enough to cast off the shackles of this dogma when they escape your abuse and are given the opportunity to start thinking for themselves.

I won’t “derail” this thread any further, as you are clearly incapable of understanding the irrationality of your actions. You are the epitome of theistic narrow-mindedness. Please wish your kids good luck from me.

From my vantage point I cannot even prove that you exist. But I continue to talk as if you do…Have a nice day and I hope that you feel better now that you vented all of your concerns…God bless you…teachccd

 

[jmcrae]

I assume, then, that you present the existence of God as a fact, rather than, “some people believe…” ?

Don’t you have a responsibility in the US (assume that’s where you are), not to indoctrinate innocent minors with unproven dogma? Are you really allowed to just tell kids that God exists?

When you teach a Science class, you begin by assuming that empirical evidence exists.
When you teach a Math class, you begin by assuming that numbers exist.
When you teach an English class, you being by assuming that grammar exists.
When you teach a Religion class, you begin by assuming that God exists.

The OP is teaching a Religion class.

 

[jmcrae]

Does God or the devil make the bad weather like hurricanes? If God does, why does He do that knowing thousands of people will be killed?

---

Thank you

When Adam and Eve sinned, the world (meaning the whole physical creation - not just planet Earth) got broken, and it no longer works right. That’s why every so often there are terrible storms and other events in nature that hurt people. It’s also why sometimes people get sick, and why sometimes people are born with something the matter with them that the doctors can’t fix.

We don’t really know why what Adam and Eve did caused the created universe to not work right any more, but God decided to keep the broken creation, with us in it, because He loves us, and because He created us for something better - Heaven. When we get to Heaven, we will no longer experience the brokenness of the world. There will be no death there, and nothing that can hurt us, or make us feel sad.

If a toaster breaks, you just throw it away. But what if your fish tank broke - not enough to kill your fish, but enough that sometimes your fish get uncomfortable. Would you throw out the fish tank and kill all of your fish? (Imagine that there is only one fish tank in the whole world, and you can’t get a new one to put them in.)

If God were to throw out the created universe because it is broken, we would no longer exist. But God loves us, and wants us to exist, because He has a plan for us. God is with us, even in the brokenness, so when disasters happen, or when we get sick, or when someone is born who has a lot of problems, we know that although that wasn’t God’s original plan, God is going to walk with us and love us through all of the trouble, until finally He leads us to the other side, to Heaven, where none of these problems can bother us any more.

 

[teachccd]

Please wish your kids good luck from me.

Good luck to you…

Now can we resume the thread and give the answers that the OP was looking for?

 

[crazzeto]

Do you know the answer to these questions? (The 5th graders from my religous ed. asked me them)

Do animals go to Heaven? I’ve heard the best way to answer this to kids is “If that is what we need to be perfectly happy then animals will be there in Heaven with us.”

IDK here, I teach 6th grade and we really try to be more fank and adult with them as they’re staring to make that young adult transition. If this was my 6th grade class, I might be inclined to explain animals don’t have an immortal soul. Whatever the answer, don’t lie. I suppose the best explanation is already posted. Paradice will be fully repersentitive of Gods creation. Or at least we assume so.

Does God decide when a person should die based on how good of a person they are when they die? Basically they are asking how does God know when people need to die?

I would tell them that God knows when a person is going to die because he knows everything. I would also follow up with “God also knows how special each of you are, and how important each of you are to his plans”.

Who made God?/ How is it possible that no one was before God? They really are interested in how there was no one before God. Is there a good way to explain how God is eternal and there was no one before Him?

I would tell them that this is an excellent question, and tell them the only answer that any human being will ever have is that God simply always existed. He wasn’t made, he just is.

Does God or the devil make the bad weather like hurricanes? If God does, why does He do that knowing thousands of people will be killed?

---

Thank you

hmmm… Up to your discression… Here I might explain that God made everything, and that everything was made for a reason. That some times we might not understand some of the reasons, but ultimitaly everything that happens to us, is for our own good.

 

[teachccd]

IDK here, I teach 6th grade and we really try to be more fank and adult with them as they’re staring to make that young adult transition. If this was my 6th grade class, I might be inclined to explain animals don’t have an immortal soul. Whatever the answer, don’t lie. I suppose the best explanation is already posted. Paradice will be fully repersentitive of Gods creation. Or at least we assume so.

Yea, I do the same with my junior high kids. I would tell them that animals do not have immortal souls but I would still leave open the possiblity that they could see animals in the new earth. We don’t know and I would state it as such. With ten year olds I would lean more on the fact that God can do anything and that they could see animals in heaven if He wants them to. We cannot teach our opinions and I am firm with that with our Junior High teachers but in this particular instance that answer falls within Church teachings as much as where do unbaptized babies go. Some things we just have to leave up to God. If we say, “No you will not see animals in the afterlife” it would be equally speculative. So for the young children I side on retaining the innocence that we all should have. God bless…teachccd

 

[Mordocai]

Thanks again, these are great, the answers seemed to satisfy them. I really liked the post about the fish tank, how you can’t just throw out the whole world.