Posted on 12/06/2019 12:33:09 PM PST by DeweyCA
The alternative is to tell them they’re simply going to die and turn to dust.
As a therapist, I’m often asked to explain why depression and anxiety are so common among children and adolescents. One of the most important explanations—and perhaps the most neglected—is declining interest in religion. This cultural shift already has proved disastrous for millions of vulnerable young people.
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The result? Children or teens who reported attending a religious service at least once per week scored higher on psychological well-being measurements and had lower risks of mental illness. Weekly attendance was associated with higher rates of volunteering, a sense of mission, forgiveness, and lower probabilities of drug use and early sexual initiation. Pity then that the U.S. has seen a 20% decrease in attendance at formal religious services in the past 20 years, according to a Gallup report earlier this year. In 2018 the American Family Survey showed that nearly half of adults under 30 do not identify with any religion.
Nihilism is fertilizer for anxiety and depression, and being “realistic” is overrated. The belief in God—in a protective and guiding figure to rely on when times are tough—is one of the best kinds of support for kids in an increasingly pessimistic world. That’s only one reason, from a purely mental-health perspective, to pass down a faith tradition.
I am often asked by parents, “How do I talk to my child about death if I don’t believe in God or heaven?” My answer is always the same: “Lie.” The idea that you simply die and turn to dust may work for some adults, but it doesn’t help children.
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(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
Who is this mysterious G-d? Are you too shy to fully spell His name?
Who is this mysterious G-d? Are you too shy to fully spell His name?
Amen, Brother!
Spoken like a true self-righteous Pharisee.
So God knows how many hairs are on
my head but doesn’t give a crap to show up in the most desperate times.
Got it.
Then again Romans 9 states “He will have mercy upon whom He has mercy”
God’s already chosen. Some get mercy, some suffer. His “choice”.
You have food to eat and a computer from which to write about your complaint that God isn’t your personal Mr. Wizard...you still have more than some impoverished children have in this world. Be grateful for that! That said, I do have the capability of feelings for hardships you might be personally going thru. Lodge your complaints personally with the management of heaven; a rather ugly looking man that no one would give any credence to with scars from a crown of thorns and wounds to his hands, feet, and side might just come knocking at your door in answer to your complaint. When you get the answers to your complaints, you can tell the rest of us about it....from your computer in a country with issues, but still with plenty to eat and clothes on our backs.
We discussed our thoughts. Then left the thread with a better ending. Agreeing to disagree while having a discussion can be a good thing.
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