As children, why don't we question God?

[_Scottie]

As children, why do you think we reach a point in our lives where we no longer believe in Santa, The Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, etc, but never seem to reach that conclusion about God?

Think about it, the mythical creatures that we believe in have MUCH more concrete evidence. There are presents on Christmas morning, the Easter eggs are hidden and I get a quarter under my pillow. Shouldn't we start to question God, who really does nothing for us, before we question these others?

Is it that the church has already instilled the fear of questioning the divine at that early of an age?

[_Moniker]

As children, why do you think we reach a point in our lives where we no longer believe in Santa, The Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, etc, but never seem to reach that conclusion about God?

Think about it, the mythical creatures that we believe in have MUCH more concrete evidence. There are presents on Christmas morning, the Easter eggs are hidden and I get a quarter under my pillow. Shouldn't we start to question God, who really does nothing for us, before we question these others?

Is it that the church has already instilled the fear of questioning the divine at that early of an age?

Well, we understand the presents came from our parents. We understand the same thing with the hidden Easter Eggs, and the money under our pillows. Parents fess up or our peers fill us in on this tidbit. Does anyone explain to kids why the wonders of the world are the way they are? No. Mommy and Daddy aren't responsible for creating the earth and the inhabitants -- and more than likely many peers aren't convinced that God isn't behind it. We pull back the curtain on other childhood fantasies and see what's going on -- we pull back the curtain on God and we see no parents there (other than indoctrination that is harder to recognize for what it is).

[_Scottie]

As children, why do you think we reach a point in our lives where we no longer believe in Santa, The Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, etc, but never seem to reach that conclusion about God?

Think about it, the mythical creatures that we believe in have MUCH more concrete evidence. There are presents on Christmas morning, the Easter eggs are hidden and I get a quarter under my pillow. Shouldn't we start to question God, who really does nothing for us, before we question these others?

Is it that the church has already instilled the fear of questioning the divine at that early of an age?

Well, we understand the presents came from our parents. We understand the same thing with the hidden Easter Eggs, and the money under our pillows. Parents fess up or our peers fill us in on this tidbit. Does anyone explain to kids why the wonders of the world are the way they are? No. Mommy and Daddy aren't responsible for creating the earth and the inhabitants -- and more than likely many peers aren't convinced that God isn't behind it. We pull back the curtain on other childhood fantasies and see what's going on -- we pull back the curtain on God and we see no parents there (other than indoctrination that is harder to recognize for what it is).

Eventually we know that parent are responisble, but most of us will start questioning WELL before the parents fill us in.

I can't remember if I was having doubts before the kids at school started talking or not. However, I'm sure kids at school must be saying there is no God as well, right?

[_Blixa]

Who is this "we?" I believed in Santa Claus long after I figured out there was no god. Santa made much more sense to me.

[_Moniker]

Eventually we know that parent are responisble, but most of us will start questioning WELL before the parents fill us in.

I can't remember if I was having doubts before the kids at school started talking or not. However, I'm sure kids at school must be saying there is no God as well, right?

I don't recall lots of other kids at school saying there is no God. When I did meet one he became my friend! :)

I think that it's wrapped up with people, as well, as a way to think of their loved ones -- in Christianity who wants to let go of the belief that Spot isn't really in heaven with grandma? It's a bit more of an emotional investment.

by the way, I'm with Blixa -- Santa makes a lot more sense than God.

[_Roger Morrison]

Could it be, cuz parents & such teach, "there IS a god!" And, to be like an adult you give up believing in Santa et al. THEN, you smoke, swear, booze, and lots of other stuff to be like an adult. AND, Adults believe in "G-O-D!" Roger

[Guest]

Ah, Scottie, I just read the testimony that children have over on the MAD board. Is this what sparked this question? It's sort of odd, to me, that people don't distinguish on that board the difference between a 6 year old saying they believe in Santa and a 6 year old saying they believe in Jesus. Of course, I imagine, a factor, for some, would be the amount of emphasis put on the belief systems. Is anyone going to scowl at their child if they say Santa isn't real? What if a child said they doubted Jesus was crucified? Kids just want to please their parents and take cues from them -- I imagine the more invested the adults are that it just filters down to their children.

What was odd about reading that thread is I was thinking of my kids -- all of my kids have believed in the toothfairy, the shadow monster (bad mom!), Santa, elves, fantasy beings -- and yet, not once have they mentioned believing in God or Jesus. Maybe they picked up on my cues? Probably so.

[_huckelberry]

"why do not children question God"

I thought Moniker made some interesting observations. Yet I agree with the comments which question the premis. I do not remember being much concerned about God untill becomeing a teenager. I am unsure if I believed before that age or not.t. I have an uncle who was a lifelong atheist and made no secret of it. I learned as an adult that he grew up LDS with active believing parents. He however did not believe and at eight years old refused baptism because he thought it was all nonsense.

My uncle may have been a bit extreme but I am considering and at this moment remembering other people who have said they were largely skeptical as children, They were just inclined to be quiet about it.

[_Scottie]

Ah, Scottie, I just read the testimony that children have over on the MAD board. Is this what sparked this question?

Yes.

It's sort of odd, to me, that people don't distinguish on that board the difference between a 6 year old saying they believe in Santa and a 6 year old saying they believe in Jesus. Of course, I imagine, a factor, for some, would be the amount of emphasis put on the belief systems. Is anyone going to scowl at their child if they say Santa isn't real? What if a child said they doubted Jesus was crucified? Kids just want to please their parents and take cues from them -- I imagine the more invested the adults are that it just filters down to their children.

What was odd about reading that thread is I was thinking of my kids -- all of my kids have believed in the toothfairy, the shadow monster (bad mom!), Santa, elves, fantasy beings -- and yet, not once have they mentioned believing in God or Jesus. Maybe they picked up on my cues? Probably so.

My kids say things about Jesus, but no more often than they do the other mythical beings in their lives.

Crud, not long ago, my 4 year old told an elaborate story about how her imaginary friend Anna and her drove a 4-wheeler up into the mountains and killed a bear. I don't see why parents believe that a young child that says they saw Jesus REALLY saw Jesus. If my 4 year old said this, I wouldn't believe it for a second.

[_Mercury]

We don't?