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Okay, so yesterday evening I was out in the car with the husband, doing some shopping in Wichita Falls, TX. Got in a check, paid some bills, it's all good, right?
So we're driving along, and I see this billboard ad for a radio station with a little happy-face sun on it and the slogan "just for kids." Since I have two small kids, I was immediately intrigued. I exchanged glances with my husband and we switched over to the station to give it a listen, to see if it would be appropriate for when we have to travel in the car with kiddies.
The first thing I hear is a group of children singing in chorus. A moment later, I realize it's a Christian station, and they're singing about Adam and how children are like him, all beloved by God and given life in the same way, etc. Now, I am Christian, so this doesn't bother me overly. I don't believe that the expression of God's beauty and power by man is only evident in things that praise God directly, though, so I tend to shy away from "music with a message" sorts of things as my sole listening pleasure. The occasional tape is one thing, but a whole radio station is generally just a case of way too much at any one time.
Still, there's nothing wrong in having nice little songs about God's love and children being special in his eyes for little ones, right? I mean, it's all about the good love anyway. So long as it doesn't get into being overly preachy and keeps it on a catchy feel good level, that's a message that is good for kids to hear, right? I'm still disappointed that it isn't more general kid songs and stories and stuff... I'd listen to a station like that, if just to let them be happier in the car when we go places (we're 45 minutes away from the nearest town of more than 4,000 people), which means an hour-and-a-half round trip just to get groceries.
Then, the dreaded chorus hits, and I am utterly blown away. The children's voices, singing sweetly, ramp up a bit and start in: "I am not descended from mon-keys...." My husband and I just stared at each other, then turned the radio off. What the hell is that? Why would you place such a heavy doctrinal decision in a kid's song? It's supposed to be all "Jesus Loves Me" and stuff at that age, not Creationism vs. Evolution. That's for later. They can deal with their own beliefs then, once they're old enough to actually have some experiences with which to form them.
Aside from the surreal horror I experienced, though, it does make me think about some things. See, although David and I are Christian and are trying to teach the children about God and Jesus, we aren't part of any church. David went to the Pentecostal services when he was in Basic training, but we haven't been to a church since then, and never since the kids were born. I have been thinking about finding a church again, but everything I see about them locally just turns me off. I hate the judgemental aspects of the Evangelical Protestant churches, which is most of what we have around here. I hate the assumption that one denomination's doctrine is superior to another's, and must needs condemn those poor folks to hell. I hate that a number of aspects about my chosen profession would be judged sight unseen by many otherwise good individuals around here, and I just don't have the strength right now to educate them. I'm not up to fighting that battle at this point in my life.
This leaves me unsure where to turn, or what else is available to me that my beliefs won't clash with too heavily. I admire the Catholic religion in a lot of ways, but I cannot accept that the Pope as the sole divine authority on Earth, so I think that removes me from the running for Catholic Convert of the Year. I believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and its presence on Earth, but I cannot reconcile that with the behavior I generally see in churches who are centered around those beliefs.
The other thing that troubles me is the question of when something changes from education to propaganda. At what point is it teaching my children my beliefs vs. indoctrinating them? I'm pretty sure the whole monkeys song is right over the line. VeggieTales sometimes treads a bit close to it for me, but I find myself unable to define the line well enough to find it with any regularity. If anyone can help me with this, I'd greatly appreciate it. Hearing some opinions might help clarify the issue in my mind.
So we're driving along, and I see this billboard ad for a radio station with a little happy-face sun on it and the slogan "just for kids." Since I have two small kids, I was immediately intrigued. I exchanged glances with my husband and we switched over to the station to give it a listen, to see if it would be appropriate for when we have to travel in the car with kiddies.
The first thing I hear is a group of children singing in chorus. A moment later, I realize it's a Christian station, and they're singing about Adam and how children are like him, all beloved by God and given life in the same way, etc. Now, I am Christian, so this doesn't bother me overly. I don't believe that the expression of God's beauty and power by man is only evident in things that praise God directly, though, so I tend to shy away from "music with a message" sorts of things as my sole listening pleasure. The occasional tape is one thing, but a whole radio station is generally just a case of way too much at any one time.
Still, there's nothing wrong in having nice little songs about God's love and children being special in his eyes for little ones, right? I mean, it's all about the good love anyway. So long as it doesn't get into being overly preachy and keeps it on a catchy feel good level, that's a message that is good for kids to hear, right? I'm still disappointed that it isn't more general kid songs and stories and stuff... I'd listen to a station like that, if just to let them be happier in the car when we go places (we're 45 minutes away from the nearest town of more than 4,000 people), which means an hour-and-a-half round trip just to get groceries.
Then, the dreaded chorus hits, and I am utterly blown away. The children's voices, singing sweetly, ramp up a bit and start in: "I am not descended from mon-keys...." My husband and I just stared at each other, then turned the radio off. What the hell is that? Why would you place such a heavy doctrinal decision in a kid's song? It's supposed to be all "Jesus Loves Me" and stuff at that age, not Creationism vs. Evolution. That's for later. They can deal with their own beliefs then, once they're old enough to actually have some experiences with which to form them.
Aside from the surreal horror I experienced, though, it does make me think about some things. See, although David and I are Christian and are trying to teach the children about God and Jesus, we aren't part of any church. David went to the Pentecostal services when he was in Basic training, but we haven't been to a church since then, and never since the kids were born. I have been thinking about finding a church again, but everything I see about them locally just turns me off. I hate the judgemental aspects of the Evangelical Protestant churches, which is most of what we have around here. I hate the assumption that one denomination's doctrine is superior to another's, and must needs condemn those poor folks to hell. I hate that a number of aspects about my chosen profession would be judged sight unseen by many otherwise good individuals around here, and I just don't have the strength right now to educate them. I'm not up to fighting that battle at this point in my life.
This leaves me unsure where to turn, or what else is available to me that my beliefs won't clash with too heavily. I admire the Catholic religion in a lot of ways, but I cannot accept that the Pope as the sole divine authority on Earth, so I think that removes me from the running for Catholic Convert of the Year. I believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and its presence on Earth, but I cannot reconcile that with the behavior I generally see in churches who are centered around those beliefs.
The other thing that troubles me is the question of when something changes from education to propaganda. At what point is it teaching my children my beliefs vs. indoctrinating them? I'm pretty sure the whole monkeys song is right over the line. VeggieTales sometimes treads a bit close to it for me, but I find myself unable to define the line well enough to find it with any regularity. If anyone can help me with this, I'd greatly appreciate it. Hearing some opinions might help clarify the issue in my mind.
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no subject
Date: 2003-06-18 10:01 am (UTC)From:And we both oppose pig-ig-nor-ance..."
err, sorry, flippant. I'm not sure I can help you with the larger question as I am (technically) an Unbaptized Heathen, which suits me fairly well. My biggest exposure to organized religion was in high school (private, Anglican but largely secular with instruction about lots of other faiths). I don't attend church and I don't especially feel the lack of it. I admire many aspects of the Christian faith (and many aspects of other faiths); like you, however, if I was going to join a church (not especially likely at present but you never know) I'm not at all sure which one I'd join.
But I'd definitely go with one that accepts evolution as a concept... sheesh.
no subject
Date: 2003-06-18 10:48 am (UTC)From:Unfortunately, I have little faith in any good result, and it's a small enough town I live in that I don't want to burden my mom's business with a rep of "did you know her daughter plays Dungeons and Dragons and worships Satan every other weekend?" I'd just as soon pass, thanks.
The basic question isn't so much one of religion (though there is that too) but of the difference on how to best pass one's values and beliefs onto one's children without violating their own ability/right to decide for themselves when the time is right. I don't think there's a doctrinal requirement for answering that. :)
no subject
Date: 2003-06-18 11:00 am (UTC)From:...as far as passing on your own beliefs and values to your children (I have none, but I've been one) I think it happens more or less automatically. Live according to your beliefs. Teach by example. Talk to your kids. Read to them. Discuss thorny issues when they arise. I dunno, who am I to give child-rearing advice? But I'm constantly amazed by how much my parents' values are ingrained in me, even without my necessarily realizing it.
I'm having unformed thoughts about religion, doctrine, sectarianism etc. that are not coming out very well, and I have to get back to work, but if I have any brilliant insights I'll be back...
no subject
Date: 2003-06-18 11:04 am (UTC)From:If you are sure of the veracity of your own beliefs, I wouldn't worry. Live and act in accordance with them. Talk about them when questioned. Indeed, encourage questioning of them. There is no surer way to turn a child off to an idea than to stifle questioning about it.