spiritual discussionsThis is the place at AW for mamas to learn about all different religions and beliefs, to ask questions, to give answers- all done with respect! if you don't have anything nice to say here- don't say anything at all.
Vidura's been asking and asking about Jesus and wanting to go to Bible school and stuff. Since I'd like him to know of every way to God I've been trying to find a "match" for him.
Unfortunately the local Churches are mostly Baptist and (I'm sorry) extremely fanatic and exclusive. I don't want people telling my kid he's going to hell because he doesn't follow the one and only way. I want him to hear/learn that Jesus is love, compassion, accepting and giving.
We don't have a local UU church, but there's one in Chapel Hill which isn't too far.
Would that be a good fit for him? Could he learn about Jesus there without being singled out?
I have a pretty strong knowledge of the Bible, but from a Catholic background, which isn't accepting and open minded.
I'd rather have him learn from someone else, who wants to share with him the beauty of Christ without brainwashing him or making him feel guilty about his own religious tradition.
***I am looking for answers from UU or other similar church mamas***
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Well I am UU and we teach about Jesus and the bible in our congregation. It would really depend on what curriculum they had going at the time as far as what he would actually LEARN in RE. If you go the uua.org website there is a lot of good teaching resources as well as a great bookstore. That might help as well.
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Emily - mom to two.... Gwendolyn turning seven this week!
I have been to many UU churches, and not all are the same. They are open to any religious background and as such try not to be "christian" or "islam" or whatever religion in particular.
However, the founding principle of UU is One God. So I'm not sure that is the way for him to get answers.
I grew up Episcopal and if you can find one of them, Episcopal churches might be a good way to go. I always prefer the more liberal ones, when I go. Your child will learn about Jesus there for sure, and it's not fanatical or anything.
Also when I was growing up I went to a presbyterian church that was really good for learning.
I think you are just going to have to search. You should call the UU church in Chapel Hill and ask them directly if they do any teaching at all about Jesus in their religious education classes (assuming they have them). It's a good environment to learn about spirtuality, for sure.
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Meg
Mama to Alexis, 21; Jacob, 18; and Elijah 11/20/02 and Sophia Jane, 11/20/04
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We also believe that there is One God. He has unlimited names, forms and pastimes, He is all powerful, Omniscient, etc... But He is the supreme Person.
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I really don't think he's going to learn a ton about Jesus at Chapel Hill UU, unless they're discussing Christianity specifically in RE. I'd definitely call and ask! I'm sure they'd love to have him around, and if he can learn what he wants to learn, all the better.
You might try Unity for a more Christian liberal church or Episcopal, like Meg suggested. I went to a really conservative Presbyterian church once - you have to research what they're up to at each church!
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Do you have an opportunity to teach him with other children of the same faith? For example, if there is a time at temple when the children are typically in a childcare type facility? Or a playgroup with other parents who have children of similar ages?
I think it might be very - touchy - to try to find the right church and the right teachings that coincide with your beliefs, yk? I'd want to take the reigns and be sure that what my kids were learning was explicitly what I wanted them to learn.
Does that make any sense?
What I mean is - is there some way you, or another member of your temple who does children's ministry/work, could handle teaching a series of "classes" on the aspects of Jesus you'd like them to know about? Perhaps it's more the experience with children that he's craving, versus actual Bible school?
Location: When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world. ~John Muir
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UUs are BIG into Jesus. We just look at Jesus differently than Christianity. We focus more on what Jesus did and said than finding salvation in Jesus. In other words, Jesus won't save you by UU standards, but he is an amazing role model from which to live your life.
UUs are BIG into Jesus. We just look at Jesus differently than Christianity. We focus more on what Jesus did and said than finding salvation in Jesus. In other words, Jesus won't save you by UU standards, but he is an amazing role model from which to live your life.
In the sense that Radhanuga's religion believes this is valid for the UU churches I've been to. Jesus is one of the aspects of the One God, as such they do teach about him but not ONLY about him, which is what I was trying to convey. Also, each UU church is different in their approach. The one I went to here in Gainesville is very multi-religion oriented and teach about any or all of them..the one I went to as a child was more spiritually oriented and didn't teach about any of the names of God.
Location: When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world. ~John Muir
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UUs believe (and it is always a statement with a grain of salt as UUs don't hardly ever believe the same thing since they can believe whatever they want to)... that no one definitely knows what happens after this life (if anything). So, they tend to concentrate on the here and now, and social action, and helping the earth... and that kind of stuff, since we are here and now and this is the impact we are right now making. It isn't doing deeds to get into heaven, it is just living in a way that nourishes your spirit so to speak. So, in a UU sense, Jesus is often viewed as a great role model and example of living a good life, but not really in a sense of Jesus gets you into heaven. I hope that helps. I am honestly not completely following what Meg is saying as far as "names of God" etc. The congregations to vary widely, our current one is very athiest bent IMO and our last one was much more "Goddy" so to speak. I hope that helps! Oh, and I don't mean to try and be the definitive thing on UUs, I have been a UU for 7 years now and the only thing I know, there really isn't anything definititive about it! LOL Just sharing some of my general thoughts, experiences, etc.
It's always worth it to call and ask The UU church I have visited has a Sunday School class for the kids that teaches about a different religion each week. The children ask anything they want and can spend as much time on a topic as needed. Maybe you could ask if there are people who attend the church who might meet with you and discuss Jesus and answer any question Vidura may have?
Location: When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world. ~John Muir
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Oh, and btw, a lot of UU churches kind of, um, go into super casual mode in the summer, so keep that in mind. The official year runs with the school year.
I am a former RE teacher and agree that it depends on a lot of factors. The general demographic of that particular UU congregation, the curriculum being used in RE for that session, etc. There are some curriculum that teach a lot about Jesus, and some where you will barely hear anything about christianity for the whole course.
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"If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do. Because if there is no bigger meaning, then the smallest act of kindness is the greatest thing in the world." ~ Angel
All UU churches are gong to be a little different on this. Call and ask the chapel hill RE (religious ed) director what kind of curriculum they are using and what it may cover. Some curicculums run in cycles, so this may not be a world religions year. It may be a social justice year, or an earth awareness year.
The sermons at the UU churches I've belonged to often touched on Jesus and the bible. It definitely comes up- he is a great role model for kids and adults.
RE doesn't usually run in the summer time- the classes for the kids would start in late August or Early September.
Call them, and tell them what you're looking for!
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Laura, mama to Abel, age 9!
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My experience of UU (which was wonderfully accepting) did not include any teachings of Jesus. If you are looking to provide him with a greater experience of learning about Christianity and Jesus's role in it, I'd go Episcopal. Liberal. Accepting. Welcoming. Open. Very Christian.
The UU church I have visited has a Sunday School class for the kids that teaches about a different religion each week. The children ask anything they want and can spend as much time on a topic as needed. Maybe you could ask if there are people who attend the church who might meet with you and discuss Jesus and answer any question Vidura may have?
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