Imagination.. or lack there of

[Mylinkay Asdara]

This thread is really the heart of what I was talking about in the other thread I had that got... distracted.

To me it seems that the people here (representing Christianity in general) are against many many things that promote imagination in children. Books with fantasy themes have been frowned upon. Video games and cartoons, toys, and varied 'role playing' games. Santa has come under attack as a concept. Halloween (the dressing up and candy) have also been deemed 'of the devil'.

Honestly, I am asking you: what do you do to encourage your children to use their imagination? Are you against using one's imagination for some reason (biblical perhaps?) or am I missing something?

Children and imagaination just seem so important to the future of our world. I continue to see seeds of imagination being called seeds of evil. Avenues of exploration called paths to hell. Please, it's an honest question.

 

[Teh Wiccan]

A world without imagination is hard to imagine.

 

[Mylinkay Asdara]

But everywhere I look (here and in the real world) there are drains on the sources of imagination generation in the world. TV takes from what imagination is gained through books. Computer and video games (fun though they are) are given to kids at really young ages and that takes away from pretend and makebelieve fun... I could go on and on.

Now I see that all vestiges of magic (pretend, stage, literary) are to be contested until they are destroyed. Toys are under attack for their moral premise - what's their crime? Being about magic (therefore the devil). Faries are next I suppose, then all mythological creatures... and so on. It's just such an issue for me. I want people to realize what they're killing off before it's dead.

 

[revolutio]

A world without imagination is hard to imagine.

Haha genius! I hope you don't mind if I quote you on that.

 

[openeyes]

May I.....
Although Christian, I don't want be pigeon holed. I personally encourage my children to use all of their imagination. I enjoy the fantasy stories and role playing games. I've read a spell book some years ago, I read some about Buddism, Hinduism, and Islam continuously, I don't think I've betrayed my God. Jeeze I keep my money neat and stait so it'll attract more, isn't that some sort of minor spell?.
I wish I could understand the position of the hard core "fundamentalists" , maybe they fear the decline of Chrisianity, I don't know. All I know is when some book burnings take place I think...."Great, now we Christians look soooo much better than anyone else! Keep adding to the stereotype, maybe we'll drive some more poeple away from God."
Maybe some hardliner will get in here and explain their position.

 

[Teh Wiccan]

Haha genius! I hope you don't mind if I quote you on that.

Feel free to do so

 

[onetruth]

Yes "Christian" is a label a lot throw on and it is stereotyped as much as the next thing. I can see how you can draw 'of the devil' out of Harry Potter and Halloween, but whats the point? As long as my child doesnt sacrifice goats for Satan I dont see any harm in things of this nature. If it slows down your walk with God then sure get rid of it. Ill let my kids believe in Santa Clause, but I wont let them forget the birth of Jesus. I wont let the play video games though cause I cant (one too many seizures ), some "christians" take things a little too seriously. There are more important topics on hand then, halloween and such.

 

[FervidPrincess]

My children live in a Christian household and they have always been able to use their imagination. My daughters are 13 and 14 1/2 and just quit playing Barbies last year...imagination wise. They still get them out and dress them though. Some may think that that is a little to old to playing Barbies and baby dolls...My husband and I thought it was great. We are not extemely strict as to what they choose to read or the music they listen to. Our family plays video games together...a little bit of using the imagination and good quality time with the kiddos. They have made wise decisions because we allowed them to express their opinion. Santa has always been part of our Chrismas' ...he still is, only they know his real name is Dad now. Halloween is celebrated in our house as well. Our children have been taught the real origin of Halloween and know that Halloween is celebrated in our culture today just to mooch candy.


My husband andI have a ways to go before they are raised and out of the house and we feel confident that they will be okay out there in this world. We have allowed them to be themselves...

 

[Mylinkay Asdara]

openeyes, AngelDust I salute you. It was not against you that my protest was lodged, of course. I'm glad to know (though I already figured) that there are some Christians who are not completly rabid about things that they don't need to be.

However, you fine people seem to be the exception rather than the rule, at least from what I've seen on this board. I hope your children, when grown, carry on your legacy of enlightenment. A blessing on you both and your families.

 

[FervidPrincess]

Bless you too.

 

[BarbB]

Honestly, I am asking you: what do you do to encourage your children to use their imagination? Are you against using one's imagination for some reason (biblical perhaps?) or am I missing something?

.

Hi Mylinkay,

My niece has a 3 yo and a 5 yo. She encourages them to color and play with paints, cutouts, etc., dress up, play organized and disorganized sports. Her 5 yo has "dictated" a book which they printed and illustrated through the computer. Her 3 yo is actually a pretty good drawer and painter. They do play some computer games (obviously non-violent). They are sold-out fundie Christians and also go to Christian nursery school and kindergarten! I don't think they are being stifled or are missing anything.

 

[The Fireman]

My wife and I homeschool. We have six children between the ages of 11 and 6 months. We read Tolkien, CS Lewis, we teach philosophy, discuss social justice issues and Church documents with our children. We have Socratic discussions and we teach them about other religions. We celebrate Christmas and do the Santa Claus thing (Saint Nick. was a real Bishop in the Catholic Church). We do not pound anything into their heads. We let them imagine for themselves the truth. We only guide them. My children have wonderful imaginations. I do not fear that. Some fundamentalist call me a liberal homeschooler for all of this. Oh well at least my children are free to imagine the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in a way that gives them some freedom. I do not fear their imaginations removing religion from their lives.

 

[Annabel Lee]

My wife and I homeschool. We have six children between the ages of 11 and 6 months. We read Tolkien, CS Lewis, we teach philosophy, discuss social justice issues and Church documents with our children. We have Socratic discussions and we teach them about other religions. We celebrate Christmas and do the Santa Claus thing (Saint Nick. was a real Bishop in the Catholic Church). We do not pound anything into their heads. We let them imagine for themselves the truth. We only guide them. My children have wonderful imaginations. I do not fear that. Some fundamentalist call me a liberal homeschooler for all of this. Oh well at least my children are free to imagine the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in a way that gives them some freedom. I do not fear their imaginations removing religion from their lives.

What a wonderful learning environment you've created for your children...Blessings to you.

 

[Mylinkay Asdara]

Again- you are one of the good ones. I hope when I homeschool my little class/home is as successful as yours. Your children are your blessing, and they are blessed with you.

You are not part of the problem... it's the people who are that I want to get an answer from... but they don't apprear interested in my question.

 

[Apologist]

To me it seems that the people here (representing Christianity in general) are against many many things that promote imagination in children. Books with fantasy themes have been frowned upon. Video games and cartoons, toys, and varied 'role playing' games. Santa has come under attack as a concept. Halloween (the dressing up and candy) have also been deemed 'of the devil'.

There will always be those who are a bit too overzealous on these issues.
Teach your children the truth, let them ask questions and steer them in the right direction. I would agree that some things you listed are not a good choice for children to play with, but there are better alternatives that also require their imagination. For example I would prefer they read CS Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia as opposed to Harry Potter.
Since this is the time of year for it, if you feel no harm in celebrating Halloween then by all means do it! Halloween is actually a Christian invention to celebrate All Saints Day in opposition to the pagan origins to it.

My son is almost 17 now and he weighs things in light of God's word so I have been blessed that the Lord has been faithful to me.

I hope I have helped somewhat.