A 6 Year old of your best friend says that 'God loves us all', what do you say?

Comment

Comment by Alex McCullie on October 25, 2009 at 3:54pm

Even in Australia, which is known for its religious indifference, we are surrounded by the God story. I told my young grandson about wanting to buy some large trees for the back garden. 'Will they stretch all the way to God?'

Comment by Robert Madewell on October 25, 2009 at 12:44pm

I have nieces and nephews that age that have been thoroughly indoctrinated. When any one of them say something like that, I usually say nothing, regardless of age. My family and my in-laws all have trouble enough dealing with my irreligiosity. I don't want to risk being banned from seeing the youngs one of my family. We have no children of our own and not getting to see my nieces and nephews would be unbearable. So, I shut up, but, I don't have to agree with them.

Comment by Alex McCullie on October 25, 2009 at 1:23am

Interestingly, I have a similar reserve about age and a 'no God' comment. However the religious folk have no problem pumping the God-message at the earliest possible age - get them young. Are we being too reasonable?

Alex

Comment by Michelle on October 25, 2009 at 12:53am

This sort of stuff happens to us with the neighbor kid. He is 6 with a very religious family, but his mother and I get along quite well. I just tell him some version of "We are not Christian" (it is more specific, more helpful to him, and a bit more shocking (I'm a little naughty) Of course the huge Jesus painting on the wall makes this really weird, but I didn't paint the damn thing and I've been to lazy to paint over it. It is also a fun conversation piece.

Comment by Jared Lardo on October 25, 2009 at 12:38am

Say "Only God loves you. Nobody loves you--because God doesn't exist."

Comment by OutlawGirl on October 25, 2009 at 12:30am

I might say "I don't believe in God." I wouldn't try to explain evolution or anything, just try to open the kid's mind a little to different opinions by showing that I have one. That depends on the parent, too. I'm not squeamish about my beliefs but when it comes to my friends I'd rather avoid this kind of petty drama.

Comment by MsFortune on October 25, 2009 at 12:14am

Six years old? I would just say nothing. 10 or older I would probably reply as your partner did. But under that age, I just think the kid would find it confusing rather than enlightening.

Comment by Ida on October 24, 2009 at 11:44pm

I would ask, "Which god loves us?". Then I would proceed to compare his god to Santa. :D