Comments on: Child of God. http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/ One girl's struggle to escape her fat pants. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:03:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Betty. http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2433 Betty. Fri, 19 May 2006 18:30:36 +0000 http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2433 What more is there to say? I concur. I have often felt entirely uncomfortable with the fact that at 12 I was confirmed when I didn't want to be and didn't even understand the concept. Sure, I was given an option... after I finished the classes, with my friends and family, the dress was bought and it was a week before the ceremony. Because you know, at 12, you can tell your uber religious family who has already planned out your entire life that you don't believe in god, right? What more is there to say?

I concur.

I have often felt entirely uncomfortable with the fact that at 12 I was confirmed when I didn’t want to be and didn’t even understand the concept.

Sure, I was given an option… after I finished the classes, with my friends and family, the dress was bought and it was a week before the ceremony. Because you know, at 12, you can tell your uber religious family who has already planned out your entire life that you don’t believe in god, right?

]]> By: untitled http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2081 untitled Sun, 14 May 2006 19:00:01 +0000 http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2081 lin - for some reason your comment was caught by the spam catcher. Sorry about that. Hopefully my response to sparklykatt helps to answer your question as well. lin - for some reason your comment was caught by the spam catcher. Sorry about that. Hopefully my response to sparklykatt helps to answer your question as well.

]]> By: untitled http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2079 untitled Sun, 14 May 2006 02:39:17 +0000 http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2079 That's a good question sparklykatt -- I debated whether or not to include that bit of information. There are a couple of reasons that I did. One being that it's true. But the main reason is this: untitledsister-in-law is mentally challenged because she suffers from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. I haven't written much about this situation, but I want no mistake to be made -- untitledmother-in-law had nothing to do with it. She is simply the adoptive mother. Perhaps I'll write more about that in the future, but I wanted to be clear on the facts from the beginning. That’s a good question sparklykatt — I debated whether or not to include that bit of information. There are a couple of reasons that I did. One being that it’s true. But the main reason is this: untitledsister-in-law is mentally challenged because she suffers from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. I haven’t written much about this situation, but I want no mistake to be made — untitledmother-in-law had nothing to do with it. She is simply the adoptive mother. Perhaps I’ll write more about that in the future, but I wanted to be clear on the facts from the beginning.

]]> By: sparklykatt http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2078 sparklykatt Sun, 14 May 2006 00:07:52 +0000 http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2078 Just curious why you felt it important to point out that your husbands younger sister was adopted? Just curious why you felt it important to point out that your husbands younger sister was adopted?

]]> By: Pagalina http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2076 Pagalina Fri, 12 May 2006 19:41:16 +0000 http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2076 WOW, I'm totally impressed with the well balanced commentary going on here. I really checked back with the assumption that there would be lots of trolling and flaming. You know, talking about religion usually brings the best out in people. I appreciate the church-going folks politely informing, and the non-religious folks politiing expressing their opinions. All have provided food for thought. Not something you find often in blogland! Congrats! WOW, I’m totally impressed with the well balanced commentary going on here. I really checked back with the assumption that there would be lots of trolling and flaming. You know, talking about religion usually brings the best out in people.

I appreciate the church-going folks politely informing, and the non-religious folks politiing expressing their opinions. All have provided food for thought. Not something you find often in blogland! Congrats!

]]> By: lin http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2075 lin Fri, 12 May 2006 11:14:51 +0000 http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2075 I'm curious...why did you feel it was necessary to point out that untitled-sister-in-law is adopted? I’m curious…why did you feel it was necessary to point out that untitled-sister-in-law is adopted?

]]> By: Flubberwinkle http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2069 Flubberwinkle Thu, 11 May 2006 07:16:06 +0000 http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2069 I would say I'm Greek Orthodox because when I was six months old I was baptised as a Greek Orthodox, but I'm not. I'm not anything. I'm agnostic leaning towards atheism. In no way do I frown upon people who have CHOSEN their faiths. The keyword here is of course chosen. I live in Greece and haven't baptised my children because I believe that faith can't be forced upon anyone. A person should be given the opportunity to study religions and then participate in a church of his/her choosing. The Greek state is closely interwined with the Greek church and Greek Orthodox is taught in EVERY single grade of elementary, junior high and high school. The exception being one year in high school where the other religions are introduced and compared to Greek Orthodox. (!) A local field trip consists of going to the local church and communion. If you ask the teachers to exempt your children, then you have to deal with the narrrow-mindedness of either the school staff or the parents of other students. It's a never-ending battle for freedom of choice. A few years back, the European Union passed out a new directive to all its state-members that new identity cards should NOT have the citizen's religion printed on it, which unfortunately was the case in Greece. The Greek Church went bezerk and organized rallies and demonstrations against this. In the end, thankfully, we Greeks got our new identity cards and joined the ranks of open-minded europeans. You made an excellent point untitled. I hope I haven't tired you out with my rant. I would say I’m Greek Orthodox because when I was six months old I was baptised as a Greek Orthodox, but I’m not. I’m not anything. I’m agnostic leaning towards atheism.
In no way do I frown upon people who have CHOSEN their faiths. The keyword here is of course chosen.

I live in Greece and haven’t baptised my children because I believe that faith can’t be forced upon anyone. A person should be given the opportunity to study religions and then participate in a church of his/her choosing.

The Greek state is closely interwined with the Greek church and Greek Orthodox is taught in EVERY single grade of elementary, junior high and high school. The exception being one year in high school where the other religions are introduced and compared to Greek Orthodox. (!) A local field trip consists of going to the local church and communion. If you ask the teachers to exempt your children, then you have to deal with the narrrow-mindedness of either the school staff or the parents of other students. It’s a never-ending battle for freedom of choice.

A few years back, the European Union passed out a new directive to all its state-members that new identity cards should NOT have the citizen’s religion printed on it, which unfortunately was the case in Greece. The Greek Church went bezerk and organized rallies and demonstrations against this. In the end, thankfully, we Greeks got our new identity cards and joined the ranks of open-minded europeans.

You made an excellent point untitled. I hope I haven’t tired you out with my rant.

]]> By: Kelsey http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2068 Kelsey Wed, 10 May 2006 23:22:37 +0000 http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2068 I've been to approximately 4 church services (including 2 baptisms ... or maybe christenings ...) in my whole life. I was never baptised or anything. My mom was raised Jewish and my dad was raised Catholic. I am not religious AT ALL and I'm a semi-atheist. I like to belive that there is a god, maybe not God-god but a god. Someone trying to take care of us. I try to think about it and believe there is a real plan but I have doubts some times (last week, one of my friends, who is 14, same as me, his father died in their house when my friend was with him). I don't want to offend anyone, but I don't think that your untitled-sister-in-law should be confirmed until she realizes that she is actually being confirmed. Religion shouldn't be something you're dragged into. It should be choice. And it should be your choice. That sounded kinda preacher-y at the end, didn't it? I’ve been to approximately 4 church services (including 2 baptisms … or maybe christenings …) in my whole life. I was never baptised or anything. My mom was raised Jewish and my dad was raised Catholic. I am not religious AT ALL and I’m a semi-atheist. I like to belive that there is a god, maybe not God-god but a god. Someone trying to take care of us. I try to think about it and believe there is a real plan but I have doubts some times (last week, one of my friends, who is 14, same as me, his father died in their house when my friend was with him). I don’t want to offend anyone, but I don’t think that your untitled-sister-in-law should be confirmed until she realizes that she is actually being confirmed. Religion shouldn’t be something you’re dragged into. It should be choice. And it should be your choice.

That sounded kinda preacher-y at the end, didn’t it?

]]> By: Sandra http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2067 Sandra Wed, 10 May 2006 23:14:15 +0000 http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2067 Nice post and good comments on both sides of the discussion. I am a pretty simple person and here's my interpretation: It's true, Churches like members for the reasons you have given. It's true that there are some questions about Confirming someone without full understanding. However, Confirmation for Catholics (can't speak for anyone else as I sadly don't know enough about most other faiths) is not a guarantee of salvation. We are called to so much more. Confirmation is the descent of the Holy Spirit onto that person, bringing special gifts and strength to help to live as a Christian, with all that entails. The Man Himself said that bit about being like little children. Your young sister-in-law received a wonderful gift. Perhaps her understanding is not complete, but who are we to judge? God is with those who want Him, no matter how much or how little they understand. Nice post and good comments on both sides of the discussion.
I am a pretty simple person and here’s my interpretation:
It’s true, Churches like members for the reasons you have given. It’s true that there are some questions about Confirming someone without full understanding.
However, Confirmation for Catholics (can’t speak for anyone else as I sadly don’t know enough about most other faiths) is not a guarantee of salvation. We are called to so much more. Confirmation is the descent of the Holy Spirit onto that person, bringing special gifts and strength to help to live as a Christian, with all that entails.
The Man Himself said that bit about being like little children. Your young sister-in-law received a wonderful gift. Perhaps her understanding is not complete, but who are we to judge? God is with those who want Him, no matter how much or how little they understand.

]]> By: April http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2065 April Wed, 10 May 2006 19:27:53 +0000 http://www.untitledlife.com/2006/05/10/child-of-god/#comment-2065 I really appreciate that you teased out that it is irresponsible for the Catholic Church to confirm a person into a church tradition as a full member, when that action implies that the person understand what is going on. It just doesn't make sense. As a United Methodist minister, we baptize all people, because for us, baptism is an "outward sign of an invisible grace" - just a symbol that God has already acted and will continue to act in this person's life. It does not :::poof!::: magically bring salvation, nor does it require the person to understand what is happening, because God loves them no matter what. (good lord, after reading that, I can SOOO tell that I am a seminary student, too. woah.) You had a great observation. Thank you for being honest. Too many people are not when it comes to religion. I really appreciate that you teased out that it is irresponsible for the Catholic Church to confirm a person into a church tradition as a full member, when that action implies that the person understand what is going on. It just doesn’t make sense.

As a United Methodist minister, we baptize all people, because for us, baptism is an “outward sign of an invisible grace” - just a symbol that God has already acted and will continue to act in this person’s life. It does not :::poof!::: magically bring salvation, nor does it require the person to understand what is happening, because God loves them no matter what.

(good lord, after reading that, I can SOOO tell that I am a seminary student, too. woah.)

You had a great observation. Thank you for being honest. Too many people are not when it comes to religion.

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