How to answer children's questions about the devil and ghosts

[Annemariels]

One frightened girl in my 4th grade CCD class told me her friend at school told her that 666 is in the Bible and that it stands for the devil. She was very worried about the devil getting her,so I told her that as long as she has God in her heart, the devil can’t harm her - that the devil is scared of God, and God will protect her. She was clearly relieved.

Although I didn’t tell her, I know full well that the devil really can hurt people, and that he targets people of God. Many saints tell how they were beaten, ect.

I would love to hear some opinions about how to talk to curious kids about this scarey topic. Also, I am nervous that one of them will ask me if there is such thing as ghosts and I won’t know what to say without freaking them out. I suppose I would deflect it to their parents, but I don’t know…

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[promethius]

One frightened girl in my 4th grade CCD class told me her friend at school told her that 666 is in the Bible and that it stands for the devil. She was very worried about the devil getting her,so I told her that as long as she has God in her heart, the devil can’t harm her - that the devil is scared of God, and God will protect her. She was clearly relieved.

Although I didn’t tell her, I know full well that the devil really can hurt people, and that he targets people of God. Many saints tell how they were beaten, ect.

I would love to hear some opinions about how to talk to curious kids about this scarey topic. Also, I am nervous that one of them will ask me if there is such thing as ghosts and I won’t know what to say without freaking them out. I suppose I would deflect it to their parents, but I don’t know…

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

You gave a presentable answer. It’s important to note that while you are correct, that Satan can cause bodily harm and pain even to the saints, that God DOES protect us no matter what. Those saints who were afflicted by demonic attacks never lost their holiness or gave in… what truly mattered was protected.

I would say you need to clear up some things:

1. 666 is in the bible. It does not “stand for” the devil. It is the NAME of the beast of revelations. It will not be relevant until just before the end of the world and the final judgement. Jesus tells us not to worry about it, as only the father knows when that will be, but that we should always be ready and in a state of grace.
2. In the future I wouldn’t say “the devil can’t harm you.” I would just stick with “God will protect your soul from Satan if you are sure to always turn to Him no matter what happens.”
3. Ghosts as spirits of dead people do not exist. There are demons who pose as dead spirits, and then there are other supernatural phenomenon. I personally theorize that ghosts represent nothing more than a shift in nature of the universe at a specific point due to some emotional difference… sort of like watching a video tape: you don’t see REAL actors when you watch it, just a replay. At any rate, the answer to this question and number one are mostly the same: God protects us from evil if we are faithful to Him…

 

[Annemariels]

I am trying to memorize # 2, stashing it away in my brain for future reference. They are perfect, perfect words. And oh so soothing. Thank you so much.

 

[RobbyS]

One frightened girl in my 4th grade CCD class told me her friend at school told her that 666 is in the Bible and that it stands for the devil. She was very worried about the devil getting her,so I told her that as long as she has God in her heart, the devil can’t harm her - that the devil is scared of God, and God will protect her. She was clearly relieved.

Although I didn’t tell her, I know full well that the devil really can hurt people, and that he targets people of God. Many saints tell how they were beaten, ect.

I would love to hear some opinions about how to talk to curious kids about this scarey topic. Also, I am nervous that one of them will ask me if there is such thing as ghosts and I won’t know what to say without freaking them out. I suppose I would deflect it to their parents, but I don’t know…

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

People confuse the occult with the supernatural.

 

[Tic_Toc]

Hm. Well, I suppose it just comes down to what you believe.

Anyway, kids, kids. You child is six. That’s rather young. I mean, spritual reassurance may not be that consoling, since, well, I’m pretty sure when you’re six, you’re pretty wrapped up in physical experiences. I can remember once when I was about eight, my father told me and my brother “it hurt him very much when [my brother and I] fight,” and both me and my brother asked, “more than a bullet?” Though, perhaps that was just me. So, I think maybe the “God will protect you,” is rather appropriate. Don’t go confusing your child anymore than need be, at least not when she’s six–that may freak her out even more.

Granted, those are just my two cents.

 

[Tic_Toc]

oops, not six. okay, so, fourth grade. still comparable.