Sunday, April 8, 2007
Jews or Christians?
So we are getting to the point where Avery is starting to ask questions about the differences between Jews and Christians. This is a difficult thing for me to understand, so I can't imagine what it is like for her. She understands that because I am Christian and Dan is Jewish that she is both (although technically, according to the Jews, she isn't Jewish-only Christian, because I am Christian), but she is having trouble what she should "believe". You know, with the Jews thinking that Jesus is a false prophet and all. And the entire Christian doctrine centering around the fact that Jesus actually is/was the son of God. We knew, that even though neither of us is terribly religious, that we would run into this situation at some point, but I think we both thought it was further out. This is making me think that I owe it to the kids to be more involved with a church-I mean they are getting plenty of Jewish education at the JCC during school. Am I doing them a disservice by not being able to teach them more about Christianity? OR, is it a safe bet that by teaching them to be good, respectful, loving children that we are raising kids that both Jews and Christians would be proud of?
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Penny, what a delemma. I believe, though, that you are on the right track when you refer to raising your children to be good, respecful, and loving. You and Dan certainly are doing that in a very loving environment. Those 3 attributes are supported by both the Jewish and Christian philosophies. At the present time, your children ( Avery at this point) are too young to make up their minds. as they grow, they will incorporate more information, understand it better, and come to their own decision. What is important is that they realize there are many differences among people, color, beliefs etc, but what is the most important commonality is love of one another. I would stress the similarities more than the differences at these ages...and maybe that they can be richer because of the 2 religious backgrounds. Religion is so complicated...even in the protestant denominations the differences are many...the same with the many Jewish delineations. I know that Pablo has these questions, Protestant vs Catholic, however what is also important that we all are ( or should be) working for the same things. Where you worship is not important; how you lead your life is important.
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