Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Children in a Christian family should be taught to be tolerant of differences in others that are not related to their character, or that do not manifest themselves in words or actions, as well as to be tolerant of other people's faults and weaknesses, since all people (including they themselves) have them.

At the same time, they should be taught that there are objective standards of right and wrong (for which the Bible provides guidance); to be discerning of other people's motives and intentions; and to react with Christian love and concern (which does not preclude anger or rebuke that focuses on actions rather than on personality) toward those who deliberately violate those standards in their speech or conduct, or in their treatment of others.

January 15 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Danny Hickman Supporter Believer in The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

Questions don't get much broader than this. 'Should Christians teach their children to be tolerant'? OF WHAT OR WHO?

Most of us know what's being asked here; whether we Christians should teach our children to shun their gay contemporaries; is it okay for the children of Christians to have gay friends, is probably the tenor of this question. 

There's no way to sugarcoat bigotry! Teaching children to treat ANYONE in a way that the children being taught don't want to be treated, is not right. In the words of President Bill Clinton, "in fact, it [is] wrong!" (lol)

If it's cool to your children to be unfriended, ignored or shunned, made fun of, mocked or ridiculed, then teach them that it's okay to treat others that way. I don't think there are many children who want to be treated like that. 

"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12). (the Golden Rule) Does intolerance of others break the Golden Rule, or have the guardians of bigotry figured out a good deflection for that charge? 

I believe most young people want to feel accepted and appreciated. I believe most young people want to be "one of the group." They want to feel good about themselves, regardless of what's going on in their lives. 

Many in the Church spend too much time dissecting other people's lives. Are they choosing to be homosexual, or is it a matter of genetics or heredity? In other words, is it their choice or are they gay through no fault of their own? 

Those are questions to which people with too much time on their hands seek answers. Why do they seek answers to those questions? I think it's so they can know how judgmental they should be. If I'm right, then there's a better way to get to the bottom of the question at hand. Here it is: 

Should Christians teach there children that it's okay for them to be judgemental of others? The answer is yes, if they're cool with being judged. 

I suggest that they be taught to be careful how they measure. For the measure they use will be used on them. Teach them to not shut their eyes to the truth (ABOUT THEMSELVES). When you shut your eyes, you blind yourself; when you blind yourself you cannot lead others, but have need to be led. Be sure to teach them that valuable, timeless truth. 

A student won't exceed its teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. So make sure you can see clearly before you begin to lead others (see Luke 6:38 - 42). 

So what should Christian parents do? I say, 'Don't silence your conscience.' (teach your children that too). I stole that from Charles Spurgeon. He says 'A person who silences his conscience is like a man who shoots his watchdog for barking at night.' My advice to Christian parents: don't shoot your watchdog!

7 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report