Collecemall
Member
I'm not sure what this post is about exactly. It might create something to talk about or it could just be me throwing out some thoughts that nobody else connects with and ignores.
I've spent most of my life in the "Bible Belt" of the US and of course felt the influence of the culture as I moved through different phases of my life. I'm not sure if many of you who don't live with this deeply religious culture understand just how messed up it is. While I experienced it first hand as a child I was lucky enough that my parents didn't push religion on me. I was however taken to church functions where I was indoctrinated with the Southern Baptist teachings. The local day care even carried us to Vacation Bible School (VBS) several years in a row during summer break. Before I was 10 yrs old I had been told I was a sinner, doomed to hell, and inherently bad for several years in a row. It's that process that I want to talk about a bit.
Now that I'm "middle age" I'm seeing my "friends" on social media post about how their elementary school children have been "saved". I thought this would be a fairly rare occurrence but I'm seeing it several times a year now. Children ranging in age from 3 to 12. Following are examples of what I'm talking about. Names have been changed for privacy etc.
Both of these posts were of course followed by comments such as :
These are the two I could find from this summer but there were 2-3 others that I can't put hands on at the moment. If I can remember exactly who posted them I'll try to update it. But I know at least one more child under age the age of 8 was "saved".
So in the above we have a girl age 6-7 and a boy age 5-6. One of whom was scared senseless yet understands pride and the other who didn't understand what was happening. Yet both were "saved".
Is this something any of you encounter in other parts of the world? Do you consider it abuse? The first example literally had a child crying at night from fear. Am I the only one that sees the parents selling the children the cure for a disease they infected their children with? I'm baffled why we as a society think it's ok for a child to be put through these types of psychological traumas. We don't think they are even capable of dressing themselves yet they can reason their way through eternal damnation, pride, and sin? How much of this do you think is religiously motivated and how much of it do you think stems from cultural pressure where parents feel like in order to be "good parents" their children have to be "saved" and the earlier the better?
Anyway, I just noticed this happening and thought I'd share/try to stir up some discussion.
I've spent most of my life in the "Bible Belt" of the US and of course felt the influence of the culture as I moved through different phases of my life. I'm not sure if many of you who don't live with this deeply religious culture understand just how messed up it is. While I experienced it first hand as a child I was lucky enough that my parents didn't push religion on me. I was however taken to church functions where I was indoctrinated with the Southern Baptist teachings. The local day care even carried us to Vacation Bible School (VBS) several years in a row during summer break. Before I was 10 yrs old I had been told I was a sinner, doomed to hell, and inherently bad for several years in a row. It's that process that I want to talk about a bit.
Now that I'm "middle age" I'm seeing my "friends" on social media post about how their elementary school children have been "saved". I thought this would be a fairly rare occurrence but I'm seeing it several times a year now. Children ranging in age from 3 to 12. Following are examples of what I'm talking about. Names have been changed for privacy etc.
Sharron from Facebook said:The past few weeks have been stressful for our family. Jane (6-7 yrs old) has been having a difficult time transitioning and has been acting out. Brian (brother age 10) went to her and was concerned about her salvation and talked to her about the Lord. Last night Jane couldn't sleep and came out of her room crying. She admitted that she was so scared that if Jesus came back that she would go to hell. She felt guilty for her sins, but pride was getting in her way. After discussion with Ron (Dad) and realizing that she was truly repentant, she asked Jesus to be Lord of her life. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday present. She is a different child today. Her sin erased. Praise the Lord! Thanks to all the teachers at Blah de Blah Baptist who planted seeds in Jane's life.
Carroll from Facebook said:God is GOOD!! Harry (1st grade) asked Jesus into his heart durning VBS last summer. We explained the process but he wasn't so crazy about the idea of getting up in front of the church & being baptized. Not sure he understood "why" we get dipped in holy water. We told him when he was ready we would see he was baptized. We did not want to pressure him in anyway. This past Sunday at the end of service he whispered in Arron's (Dad) ear he was ready to be baptized. So this Sunday Harry will be baptized! My heart is so full! Can't wait to see where God leads him.
Both of these posts were of course followed by comments such as :
Harry's Grandmother said:Harry is ready to be baptized. I have watched him grow spiritually and his child-like faith is stronger than many adults that I have prayed with during the past few years. I can't wait to see our precious Harry baptized and to watch what God does with this little life!!
Jane's Grandmother said:PRAISE THE LORD!! She was talking to us at the supper table last night about sin. She said she had a billion of times. We talked about being saved. My precious baby girl!
Jane's Aunt said:At supper last night she said her Mommy and Papa were perfect she said well almost perfect. We told her the only perfect person to walk on earth was Jesus. I'm proud of her! Praise the Lord!
These are the two I could find from this summer but there were 2-3 others that I can't put hands on at the moment. If I can remember exactly who posted them I'll try to update it. But I know at least one more child under age the age of 8 was "saved".
So in the above we have a girl age 6-7 and a boy age 5-6. One of whom was scared senseless yet understands pride and the other who didn't understand what was happening. Yet both were "saved".
Is this something any of you encounter in other parts of the world? Do you consider it abuse? The first example literally had a child crying at night from fear. Am I the only one that sees the parents selling the children the cure for a disease they infected their children with? I'm baffled why we as a society think it's ok for a child to be put through these types of psychological traumas. We don't think they are even capable of dressing themselves yet they can reason their way through eternal damnation, pride, and sin? How much of this do you think is religiously motivated and how much of it do you think stems from cultural pressure where parents feel like in order to be "good parents" their children have to be "saved" and the earlier the better?
Anyway, I just noticed this happening and thought I'd share/try to stir up some discussion.