catholic answers forum 4 dummies working4christ --How would a devoted Christian family live and raise their children according to the Christian faith (keeping the 10 commandments, moderate clothing, no drunkenness, etc).

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#1   Today, 9:01 am

Sam_777 Regular Member   Join Date: April 7, 2008 Posts: 3,583 Religion: Soul: Christian, Flesh: Muslim.

Religious laws for secular countries. How would a devoted Christian family live and raise their children according to the Christian faith (keeping the 10 commandments, moderate clothing, no drunkenness, etc). In my recent summer visit to one western country, I got a big shock , I have noticed that nudity (both boys & girls), losing virginity/adultery, and drunkenness (to name a few) is a common practice , even they are encouraging those practices in the movies, TV/bus stops ads!, although it's possible to have all the above in an Islamic country, but they will not be "public" so you have some sort of control. If parents have no religious guidance to follow (like the OT law) then children will be so vulnerable especially at their young age, they need some sort of law to protect them. I was thinking of that for a while for some members of my family & close friends, I want to introduce Christianity to them, but I know they would backfire on me because of the above reasons, so I would suggest to them to raise their children according to the “OT/Jewish or Islamic laws” and after collage (23 old) they should introduce Christianity to them. What to do think?, Or any suggestions? __________________ THE MOST HIGH Christians: (1 Corinthians 6:9-10), Muslims: (John 8:58), Jews: (Zechariah 12).

#2   Today, 10:24 am

Polycarp1 Regular Member   Join Date: September 19, 2007 Posts: 836 Religion: Catholic

Re: Religious laws for secular countries. These are not just religious laws but moral laws instilled in us by virtue of being created spiritually in the image of God. We know what is right and wrong regardless of what secular laws, public opinion, and social norms are at any given time in history. That is to say that "I didn't know" won't be a good defence at the final judgement (Not that there'll be any defence against truth). __________________ Tolerance is an attitude of reasoned patience toward evil ... a forbearance that restrains us from showing anger or inflicting punishment. Tolerance applies only to persons ... never to truth. SHEEN

#3   Today, 10:41 am

manualman Veteran Member   Join Date: December 17, 2004 Posts: 10,075 Religion: Catholic - no buts.

Re: Religious laws for secular countries. If you have lived all of life in an Islamic society, then it's probably hard to internalize the reality of the Western world where Christianity no longer has any significant effect on the larger culture. I'm not saying I agree, mind you, but the fact is that here parents must raise their children to recognize that as Christians, we are "in this world, but not of it." We try to shelter small children from direct temptations in the age of their innocence, but as they grow older and able to discern, we have to acknowledge the existence of the larger society around us that does NOT respect God or Natural Law. By that time, they should have enough recognition that Natural Law exists because it is GOOD, not because of arbitrary declaration. Christianity understands that while God is beyond our complete understanding, He is not completely inscrutable. He is rational, good and holy. Since we are created in His image (though now fallen), we are able to see some aspects of how that goodness infuses the world and recognize where people have chosen sin instead of God. We can learn (with the assistance of Grace) to choose good, choose God over our fallen inclinations, even if the world around us delights in fallenness. Our environment certainly affects us (more profoundly than most westerners know), but it does not have to dominate us. With Grace, we can be more than our fallenness.

#4   Today, 10:41 am

Sam_777 Regular Member   Join Date: April 7, 2008 Posts: 3,583 Religion: Soul: Christian, Flesh: Muslim.

Re: Religious laws for secular countries. Quote: Originally Posted by Polycarp1 We know what is right and wrong regardless of what secular laws, public opinion, and social norms are at any given time in history. How suppose "we know" if no one taught us what is right from wrong? __________________ THE MOST HIGH Christians: (1 Corinthians 6:9-10), Muslims: (John 8:58), Jews: (Zechariah 12).

#5   Today, 10:52 am

Sam_777 Regular Member   Join Date: April 7, 2008 Posts: 3,583 Religion: Soul: Christian, Flesh: Muslim.

Re: Religious laws for secular countries. Quote: Originally Posted by manualman We try to shelter small children from direct temptations in the age of their innocence, . What about changing that from "try" to "must"? Quote: but as they grow older and able to discern, we have to acknowledge the existence of the larger society around us that does NOT respect God or Natural Law. Wouldn't that be too late, when children would have fallen into many sins? shouldn't we protect then in advance? Quote: Our environment certainly affects us (more profoundly than most westerners know), but it does not have to dominate us. With Grace, we can be more than our fallenness. That was a very nice statement, GOD bless you. __________________ THE MOST HIGH Christians: (1 Corinthians 6:9-10), Muslims: (John 8:58), Jews: (Zechariah 12).

#6   Today, 11:30 am

marymary1975 Regular Member   Join Date: July 27, 2010 Posts: 960 Religion: catholic

Re: Religious laws for secular countries. Quote: Originally Posted by Sam_777 What about changing that from "try" to "must"? Wouldn't that be too late, when children would have fallen into many sins? shouldn't we protect then in advance? That was a very nice statement, GOD bless you. Sam all I can say is that I had the same reaction as you when I first moved to the US (and I don't come from.an Islamic.country). I refuse to live in a big city and keep my daughter in private school and teach her what is right and what is wrong. I also surround her by people who share our values and I don't buy too much into the typical culture style and I am hoping that will work.

#7   Today, 11:43 am

manualman Veteran Member   Join Date: December 17, 2004 Posts: 10,075 Religion: Catholic - no buts.

Re: Religious laws for secular countries. Quote: Originally Posted by Sam_777 1. What about changing that from "try" to "must"? 2. Wouldn't that be too late, when children would have fallen into many sins? shouldn't we protect then in advance? 1. Sure, if you like. As long as you don't imagine that your efforts can achieve infallible success. Sin has a stubborn way of sneaking in among humans. 2. Yes, at home where one has control. This is why I believe it is better for small kids NOT to watch commercial TV, for them to be cared for by mom, dad or a close and trusted relative (instead of the $10/hour KidKare employee), catholic schools are better than public, etc. But there comes a point where you delude yourself if you imagine that your children will not become aware that your family is not like other families. IMO, it's better to start acknowledging early that others don't have the same beliefs we do. Protecting innocence can't be an excuse for hiding from reality. Kids will sniff that out and rebel. If there is never a moment where they suddenly discover forbidden fruit that looks juicy and tasty they are less likely to react badly. Better for them to know early on that there are things out there that look attractive, but are in fact deadly spiritual poison.