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Philosophy/religion

Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

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Original poster

"People who don't believe in God go to the Devil"

20 replies

lionheart · 14/06/2008 21:57

So a boy at DS's school has told him.

DS is 6 and is petrified now, afraid to sleep and having nightmares.

I have tried to reassure him but it's not working. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

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PuppyMonkey · 14/06/2008 21:59

Tell him there's no such thing as God or the Devil

Original poster

lionheart · 14/06/2008 22:01

I've tried that--he doesn't believe in God, which is why he is scared.

I've tried explaining that stories about the Devil are told to frighten people into believing something or acting in a certain way.

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Boco · 14/06/2008 22:14

We had this issue when the teacher they have on a friday told the children that if they're not baptized they can't take their place beside Christ in heaven, leading dd to want to know where she'd be going instead.

We had a long talk about all the different religions, I told her about as many different beliefs as I could think of, that if she'd been born in another country she'd believe this, in that country different again. It did actually take a lot of talking through, but had to be very very clear with her that SOME people believe this, but I Do Not, and eventually she was reassured by that.

Original poster

lionheart · 14/06/2008 22:18

Thanks Boco. I have explained about different religions and beliefs.

Today we talked about who wrote the stories in the Bible and I tried to talk about religions

that don't have a concept for the Devil.

I don't know if it is working but perhaps you are right, it does take time to get absorbed.

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Original poster

lionheart · 14/06/2008 22:19

Are your children at a religious school Boco or was the teacher flying solo?

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Boco · 14/06/2008 22:23

Yes it's a CofE school. I'm not religious and wouldn't really choose it - but no other options at the moment due to lack of driving. Father Andrew is particularly heavy - luckily at the moment a lot of it washes over her, but there are little things that stick. Was at a parents assembly where they re-enacted the crucifixion using volunteers from key stage 1. He did the whole dressing in crown of thorns etc, had a big cross, very bewildered 5 year old having to pretend to have nails hammered into his hands. Gawd. Many parents have complained about different things but are all met with the same line from the Head teacher, that it's a Christian School, if you don't like it then bugger off.

Sanctuary · 14/06/2008 22:24

We did the same BOCO

Our DCs arent christened but their friends do catechism.they wanted to know why they didnt.So we had to sit down and talk about it and that they respect other people choices.all different religons etc etc

They accepted this

Original poster

lionheart · 14/06/2008 22:36

Boco.

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Boco · 14/06/2008 22:51

Actually I usually try not to think about how difficult it is for them - the fact that the adults who are teaching them at school are telling them things that I then tell them I don't think are true. It will cause problems as they get older, but it's important to me that I find a way of saying that some of the stories are good, useful, have nice meanings and lessons and are fine, and that generally respecting people's beliefs is a good thing - but that NO I fundamentally do not believe that there is a hell, or a man in the clouds judging or punishing. But also, that it is absolutely fine for her to believe whatever she likes, as long as she thinks and asks questions and isn't doing it out of fear.

I might just keep on with the driving lessons though.

Is your son's school a religious school lion?

Original poster

lionheart · 14/06/2008 22:58

Yes, yes, that's exactly what I try to do, Boco,

I want him to respect other religious beliefs but to find his own way.

The school is not particularly religious, just standard little Christian assemblies

and RE stuff--nothing heavy-handed.

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Boco · 14/06/2008 23:03

Well, it sounds like you're doing all you can, and hopefully he'll start to think about it differently.

I guess though, even when your approach is to say 'well, yes, some people believe this..' and to have respect for other people's beliefs etc, that when they're terrified, it's ok to say fundamentally NO, this is NOT true and it will not happen - as i'm sure you have.

Hope he feels better soon.

bluewolf · 14/06/2008 23:06

lionheart - I know how you feel - ds is in yr1 at a supposedly non-relious school (has kids of all faiths) but still comes back with weird christian ideas that I then try and explain are only stories and not what everyone believes in etc. I think God is on a level with Spiderman at the moment in his mind...so, very real.
I went to a CofE primary school where they believed I was spawn of the devil after I tried to read the other kids fortunes with some playing cards.
Definately learn to drive soon!

Original poster

lionheart · 14/06/2008 23:09

Boco, yes, you are right and I did resort to that tonight whereas usually I try to take a more liberal "some people believe" stance.

But he says that if I think something to be true rather than know for sure it's true then I might be wrong. Which is certainly true.

This religion business makes for some very convoluted conversations, that's for sure.

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Original poster

lionheart · 14/06/2008 23:11

Thanks bluewolf. Yes, very real.

Hope the lessons are going well, Boco.

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MaryBS · 15/06/2008 08:16

I would speak to the school and would speak to the boy's parents. Of course, it may be that's what the parents believe too, and it gets very tricky . But I'm a Christian and would come down hard on my 2 if they told another child that (although I don't think they would).

Your son might feel more comforted if the Vicar had a word with him, after all, in your son's eyes if anyone knows what God's intentions are, it should be the vicar. Things are so black and white at that age.

If its any comfort, I've been told I'm going to hell too, despite being a Christian!

Original poster

lionheart · 15/06/2008 10:23

Thanks Mary.

I did think about talking to the teacher (a Christian who happily accepts DS doesn't believe) but thought it might be considered OTT.

I wonder also whether the boy has been telling this to other children.

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Original poster

lionheart · 15/06/2008 10:24

The local vicar has a son in the same class--I wonder what he'd make of it.

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Weegiemum · 15/06/2008 10:49

I would raise this with the school, as it is unacceptable for a child to be bullied on the fact of his beleif/disbeleif!

My dd has had a few children tease her because of her beleif in God (hard for her- dh and I are both at Bible College right now doign theology degrees). The school dropped down on these kids, told them it wasn't acceptable, but (I am gald) at the same time dd1 was told that she cant expect everyone to believe the same as her, both by the school and by us (independently).

this is similar to racial/gender/class discrimination and has to be stopped. It is NOT ON!

Weegiemum · 15/06/2008 10:50

od course, I am glad not gald!

Original poster

lionheart · 15/06/2008 10:58

Thanks Weegie.

I am really trying to teach him to respect other people's beliefs but hellfire is probably my limit.

I've also been wondering to what extent schools include atheism/agnosticism in their RE teaching.

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