Discussions on faith
Posted by
bumblebee
on 2nd May 2010
at 11:53
Hi Amber,
As far as I am aware, you are free to discuss whatever you like on this forum and so long as it is within the forum guidelines (forum homepage) there is no reason why you shouldnt continue to discuss faith on here...I'd start a link in the social room though as I would think that the education section should possibly remain for autism related education issues and discussions...what do you think? What does anyone else think?
Claire - Community Champion
Posted by
Leanne
on 2nd May 2010
at 11:58
Hi Amber
I personally welcome a posting like this. Over the past few years I have had some very 'interesting' conversations with my eldest over his RE homework.
As parents we feel its important that he develops a broad understanding of peoples beliefs and the ability to see things from both view points.. something he struggles with. He can adopt very strong views.. but after a chat it transpires that they aren't really his views just what he has been told in class.
So I am very aware of how easily influenced he could be. I am sure that I will be seeking your advice on how best to explain certain things to him.. :)
Leanne - Community Champion
Posted by
Josie Barnshaw
on 2nd May 2010
at 14:35
Hi Amber
Over the years I have given a lot of thought to this subject. My daughter and I are both church going christians, but my two sons are, and I use their words "atheists". They dont believe in God, cant subscribe to something that claims that "someone" walked on water (their words again).
Like Leanne I am absolutely committed to having my children be tolerant of others beliefs and they do learn about all different kinds of religions in school and have definitely shown willing to learn about them, but not to participate in any.
You mentioned in another post that you felt some religions were in some way not catering for those on the spectrum (hope I have understood that correctly). In what way do you mean?
Josie - Community Champion
Posted by
Leanne
on 2nd May 2010
at 15:03
Hi Josie,
Johnathon declared he was an 'atheist' the other day, I felt that he said it to get a reaction and unfortunately we didn't have the time to enter into a full on debate. I find he will make these grand statements but with a little probing discover he doesn't really know what he is talking about.
I didn't have the heart to tell him that he shouldn't bother looking for anything Easter or Christmas morning if he really is an atheist.
Leanne - Community Champion
Posted by
Josie Barnshaw
on 2nd May 2010
at 15:29
Hi Leanne
Hey, that's a brilliant idea ...... lol. Tom is quite funny when trying to discuss faith with him. He calmly announced that he believes Jesus did walk on the earth 2000 years ago, but he was just a man like everyone else and these stories about miracles are just that .... stories made up by other people!!!!
Yesterday he was about to say something which I suspect was either a sweary word or blasphemous in nature and he said to me "oh, you know, that word your not allowed to say in Church". I was in hysterics.
Josie - Community Champion
Posted by
amberlight
on 2nd May 2010
at 15:53
I've started a gentle discussion in the Social bit, as suggested.
Some parts of all religions are bad at autism inclusion. Other parts of all religions are good at it. Alas, most haven't a clue we exist or what to do about us as yet, so it's a good topic for families to think about. So many leaders of faiths have said to me "Autism? That's nothing to do with us at all". Er, yes it is. Reearch shows 86% of people go to a church building each year, even if it's for a wedding, funeral, baptism, church fete, school concert. Autism inclusion is vital for churches and other faith buildings which are often the hub of a community. Even if you don't worship, the chances are you'll be in there anyway at some point.
Posted by
Leanne
on 2nd May 2010
at 16:11
Hi
I must admit that we are not a religious family more spiritual. I think it is so important to teach your children how to respect each other and also to treat people how you want to be treated. We use this alot with Johnathon .. the way he communicates with people, how he treats people, if you are a good person then good things come to you that sort of thing.
A while ago I started saying to the children to imagine you have a happy candle burning inside of you and its important not to let people dim that candle and where ever possible to do what you can to make other peoples candles burn brighter...
Quite often in the morning I will wake up nice and happy and after an hour with the kids arguing I have been known to say quite desperately.. I have a happy candle and you will not put it out... it stops them in their tracks and makes them laugh ;)
I sound a bit mad ...
Leanne - Community Champion
Posted by
michaelz
on 17th May 2010
at 12:31
religion is definitely a `hot-button` topic on any forum.
Leanne - it's arguable that easter and christmas had pagan origins :
http://www.goodnewsaboutgod.com/studies/holidays2.htm
had i gone to university and were i not to have studied a science subject i think i'd've liked to study theology.
Posted by
Leanne
on 17th May 2010
at 12:53
Hi Michael,
I know.. had the same conversation with my husband only the other day :)
My son hasn't cottoned onto that though.. yet !!
Leanne - Community Champion
Posted by
michaelz
on 18th May 2010
at 11:18
here's a christian helping the homeless (amongst other things) who has an autistic son.
...Melanie, a homeless woman, is hugging a 13-year-old volunteer while Cindy Boyce and the Boyce's autistic son, Parks, look on...
http://www.findchristianlinks.com/_mgxroot/page_touch_others_homeless_ministry.html
![SiftGroups.com [opens in a new window]](themes/zen/treehouse/images/siftGroupsLogo.gif)
Posted by
amberlight
on 2nd May 2010
at 10:49
In the education bit, one of the posters raised a sensible and often-asked question about faith. I'd love to talk safely with people about this, but I'm struggling to think how best to do it. It's sometimes a controversial topic and I can very quickly get 'out of my depth' in long discussions about it. I also don't want to cause any problems for the board. I'm a little hesitant especially since I'm not in a brilliant way myself at the moment (long story) and don't want to walk into a debate what I'd worry it could become very negative, because I know that I'll just get frightened and not be able to say much. I've seen that happen on a few autism boards where faith has been raised as a topic. But I do want to explore the subject, as giving people the choice to access a safe faith is so very important as a Human Right and one that is so little explored.
Help?