April 20, 2006

  • For the past several days, Dan's site has been discussing various aspects of Roman Catholic tradition and belief.  i have been amazed at the way many of these practices are perceived, both within and without that tradition.  i confess to feeling the way i did in seminary, during Church History I and II, when i often found myself in the odd position of defending and clarifying the theological bases for many of these things, even though i am Episcopalian, not Roman Catholic.


    the vestry (governing board) of my church has questioned why i am teaching comparative religion to my 7th and 8th grade class.  when the Sunday School Superintendant and i defended the course, saying it was in the context of comparative Christianity, they said they didn't see why the children needed to learn why other Christians believe other things.


    these series of posts on TheTheologiansCafe should show exactly that necessity.  as well as each person knowing why their religious traditions are the way they are...

Comments (8)

  • Amen. Keep teaching!

  • thanks for commenting.. good point. :)

  • Godo job!  I just finished a section on "people of the book" for high school kids- comparative between Chrisitianity, Judaism, and Isalm ~from the religious perspective, not socio-political; although one must include something.  Fortunately, I did not really have much opposition, though some questioning.  The richness of the Judaic tradition and Jesus' heiritage is easy;  the Islamic connection is so much less so.

    I used reonciliation between brothers, children of Abraham.  How Jesus becomes the ancestor, as the second Adam.  So it is the responsibility of the patriarch to reconcile the children....how Jesus enjoins us to be peacemakers.  The sorrow of Ishmael, the vicotry or Jacob-Israel.  The embracing of Essau. How can we become the victorious Jacob today?

    Only when His light can be seen shining within us.

    I was raised Episcopal as well, and learned my Hail Mary in Latin~!  my Preist was more Catholic than most at that time (some 30+years ago!~)  How beautiful the paths of self -discipline that help us invoke the Holy Spirit;  and especially traditions from our Lord.  I think to understand one's own faith-tradition and see the threads of it within others can only help us become closer to Him and love our brothers and sisters more.

    THANKS!  I think these things are very important, too!

  • Spread that eccumenical spirit!

  • I appreciate your thoughts on this issue.  I knew there were difference of opinions so I like to just bring those to the table so everyone can discuss them.

  • :wink: Thank you for your honest (non threatening) opinion on my post.

  • i'm glad to find there are other people actually teaching what children need during sunday school. i'm a college student that needed observational hours, so i'm teaching sunday school at my church. while i'm teaching young 1st and 2nd grades, it angers me to read the planned lessons my church provides for me. i've been instead teaching my children the fundamentals, like what prayer is and how we can pray, what love is, how we can show Christ's love. its been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life! do you feel like children aren't learning Christian traditions and common practices like they should?

  • by the way, i found you from dan's site! just thought you might like to know!

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