Informal Interfaith Parent/Child Group?

[crouchingtigeress]

I don't know what to call it, and I don't know where to find it, but I would like to find an informal group where parent's meet, (with children) and they discuss spiritual/ religious texts/ issues with each other.

Does anyone if there is anything like this, in LOndon?????????

[nearlythree]

Don't know of one but I'd be interested in starting one here or via e-mail? I've written a lot for faith sharing with children and it's something I'm really interested in.

[crouchingtigeress]

Hi NearlyThree, what type of stuff have you written (i.e. articles, books), and what topics?
I'm very nosey aren't I.

[crouchingtigeress]

I've just read your "anyone else trying to find a different way to be Christian?" thread, very interesting.

I would like a group where all faiths are discussed and appreciated, probably something like a parents - Unitarian Universialist/ Woodcraft group. Trying to stay clear of Christian rules/ traditions/ routines.

[liquidclocks]

As a Christian I find it very difficult sometimes when my DH and I have religious/spiritual differences (he's a Buddhist) but there's no-one really to go to and talk about it. All my Christian friends don't really understand and tell me to pray and my non-Christian friends don't see that it's important. If there was somewhere to go/someone to discuss with I think it would be tremendously helpful.

Nearlythree - is the stuff you've written here on MN or elsewhere?

[nearlythree]

Hello crouchingtiger and liquidclocks! Most of what I have written has been used directly by parents who come to a family service at church I used to run. Have had other stuff published and nearly had a book on faith during pregnancy and baby's first yr (but apparently I mentioned God too often ). Most of what I have written takes a Bible story, gives an interpretation for parents to share with their chidren, and ideas for bringing the theme into everyday life. For example, for the Good Samaritan it would be ways of loving our neighbour - maybe buying fairtrade, inviting a lonely neighbour in for lunch or whatever. Then the second part is for adults - so for the Good Samaritan it's about who our own Samaritans (or outsiders) might be - in the story the Samaritan is the one who helps so would we be prepared to accept help from someone outside? Btw I am a liberal so sometimes my pov isn't always the standard one you might find in church.

Most definitely don't like doctrine and rules, just the teachings of Jesus Christ. And I do think we can learn from other traditions - when I was studying a Jewish friend really helped me to see things very differently.

Liquidclocks, what problems do you have with dh?

[liquidclocks]

Don't know if you're still watching this nearlythree, I wouldn't say DH and I have problems - more that sometimes when we find differences and I need to talk about stuff it can be hard to find a halfway. Like I believe when we die we essentially remain who we are, he believes that only an 'energy' carries the karma on and 'personality' disappears. It's difficult to discuss with Christians becasue they just say, oh well that's just wrong and then on to the next debate when actually I'd like to discuss it and talk about it. Not to change my mind or anyone elses but just to understand better. Then of course my aetheist friends just say wel when you did you die and again, onto the next topic of conversation.

There are also issues about how to teach DS about our different beliefs. We've decided to take him to church (well I do, DH doesn't come) but we also all go as a family to the buddhist festivals. We want him to have an understanding that spirituality is important without confusing him and it would be intereting to discuss how you approach that with other parents who've been in similar situations.

[nearlythree]

liquidclocks, there si a very good book called 'Listening to the Light' by Jim Pym. He's a Buddhist and a Quaker. Might be worth a look as most Quakers come from a Christian root - maybe you can find common ground there.

Will post more if I can but dd2 is ill so it might be a while.

[liquidclocks]

Thanks for that - I'll look it up. Hope your DD feels better soon, hard work when they're poorly.

[nearlythree]

Hi, dd2 is a little better. I don't mind the hard work, it's the worry.

I think the thing about beliefs about the afterlife is that no-one can claim to be right. I think there probably is an afterlife but there may well not be! And in the Bible Jesus is quoted as saying that in Heaven we wil all be 'like the angels' and suggests that there will be no continuation of familial relationships. I will have to look up and see whether that is one of the statements taht modern scholars think Jesus actually made and whether it was added.

I think you have got things right with your ds. My experience is that dh is a very lukewarm Christian with no real beliefs so can't really say a lot more, but your ds will grow up with two very rich traditions and have a wealth of spiritual tools to draw on. There was a monk called John Main who adapted Eastern meditation as a way of approaching Christian prayer, you can get books written by him.