in reading the links given in previous post i have found some interesting articals on childrens place in the church

in this artical we have this..

Rediscovering the Dignity and Complexity of Children: Resources from the Christian Tradition
by Macia J. Bunge

"4) Fully Human and Made in the Image of God
[32] Fourth, although children are developing, they are, at the same time, whole and complete human beings made in the image of God. Thus, they are worthy of dignity and respect. The basis of this claim is Genesis 1:27, which states that God made humankind in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Thus, all children, regardless of race, gender, or class, are fully human and worthy of respect. Although children are developing, they are, at the same time, whole and complete human beings.

[33] This theme has often been neglected in the Christian tradition, and we find in the tradition the language of children as “almost human” or “beasts” or “on their way to becoming human.” But there are some theologians who have emphasized the full humanity of children, such as the 20th century Catholic theologian, Karl Rahner. In contrast to those who claim that children are not quite fully human or are beings “on the way” toward humanity, Rahner asserts that children have the value and dignity in their own right and are fully human from the beginning. Thus, he believes that we are to respect children from the start. We need to see them as a “sacred trust” to be nurtured and protected at every stage of their existence."

Heart of a Child

by Linda Lee Nelson

here i found this ...
"two additional studies on theologians who, although they hold quite pessimistic views on the nature of children, do not endorse physical discipline: the Reformer John Calvin and the 18th-century American Calvinist Jonathan Edwards. Barbara Pitkin writes that "Calvin himself appears not to have advocated the use of physical force in response to sin in children; though he recognized the need for parental discipline, his explicit remedies were baptism and education (albeit strict and structural) into faith and morality.""

" Discipline is not about punishment but about promoting an orderly life. . . But to exact compliance through fear of punishment only nurtures the lower self-consciousness, which naturally seeks to avoid painful experiences. Parents ought to instill in their children a love for the good, irrespective of rewards and punishments."

i meet someone the other day who had a thery that some child rearlhods used today , such as seperate sleeping early weaning, scedule feeding, suplement bottles and pacifiers, minimal in-arms time, may be things once encouraged by the church (mainly Catholic).

the reason being that by parenting in this way, the natural post birth Lactational Amenorrhea
time is shortened and thus children are spaced closer together, and threfore having larger families and breeding a conrigation as opposed to getting off there butts and evangelising,

He also commented on the role of Control parenting , children arn't taught(or allowed) to be self-decerning and free thinkers but are forsed from day-one to fit into the regime, and accept anything that is said by the church. (or be shunned and shown no love from either parent or the very community they are a part of, )

The goal from birth is to be the autortarian control master over the child , not getting to know each child, (cos before the end of there babyhood a sibling would have been born), who would require more mother time.

Has this been a parenting influence that has been pasted down, so we can grow(breed) our church's in a cultish way ??

a very interesting thery,

Well with us anyway we believe that Jesus us the ultimate example of what God is like, We are called to be as Jesus in every aspect of our lives, for me i am called to be gentle, mercyful ,loving,
i am called to be the authoritive, but to be understanding to be as a shepard gently guiding my sheep, but also to nurture Lucy with the motherhood gifts (intuition) to fullfil the design he had when he made me a mother and a baby a baby. It is easy to dwell on their behavior as being sinfull with out questioning my own ( am i being the best example of Jesus) or am i suffering from plank eye syndrome.

..'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Matthew 25:35, 37, 40


arn't sure of these articals as i haven't read them yet but they sound interesting...

The Christian Ethics of Children: Emerging Questions and Possibilities
by John Wall

Luther's Regard for Children by Jane E. Strohl

Rediscovering the Dignity and Complexity of Children: Resources from the Christian Tradition
by Macia J. Bunge

web sites that i must include on the side thingy (please DH can you do this maybe)

Families for Natural Living is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization. FNL provides resources, education, support and camaraderie to parents who wish to make conscious, compassionate, informed choices for their children and themselves. FNL families are typically interested in natural living issues, such as holistic health care, natural birthing, attachment parenting, alternative schooling, nutritious whole foods, and environmentally conscientious living.

HOLISTIC MOMS NETWORK

Spindlewood Toys
anyone feel free to buy anything from this site for us (hehe)
Specialists in unique natural toys and natural art materials

artical of the week not really from a christain view but still interesting ....warning to single peoples

Breastfeeding & the role of brain nutrients in brain development for human love & peace

By James W. Prescott, Ph.D. - Institute of Humanistic Science
From Touch The Future Newsletter, Spring 1997.

"The above findings suggest, among other predictions, that adults who have been breastfed for "two years and beyond" will have enhanced integrative brain development for the experiencing of sexual affection, pleasure and bonding which would translate into more stable psychosexual and marital relationships, e.g. diminished divorce rates."

For all of the above reasons (and others), it has been my challenge to the criminal justice system to find one murderer, rapist or drug addict in any correctional facility in America who has been breastfed for "two years and beyond", as recommended by the World Health Organization. My proposed studies of adults who have been breastfed for "two years and beyond", when conducted, would provide a strong data base to support the above stated relationships and to call for a national health policy that would support mothers being nurturant mothers that would include breastfeeding for "two years and beyond". If such a national health policy were to be implemented, it would transform our culture of violence into a culture of peace."

Psalm 103:8-13

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.

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my parenting post GFI

the Son of God is dancing ... what a great title