[Avodah] dinosaurs

[Arie Folger]

R'nTK wrote:
> Any such disdain that I might feel would be  saved strictly
> for adult company, in, for example, the next issue of  Avodah.

It is nice that you express this confidence in us, that you consider
we always behave like adults. I guess that is why you didn't mention
Areivim? ;-) ;-)

More seriously, I began educating my daughters about variant opinions
before they began asking questions, when they were still she-'einan
yodhe'oth lishol. My oldest two knew early on about the problems and
resolutions to the tension regarding creation. I believe that we must
anticipate the problem, because of the following reason.

Anthony Flew, in his book produced with Roy Varghese, There is a G"d,
remarks on his own adolescent onset atheism, that some research
indicates that youngsters begin identifying as believers or non
believers quite early in life, even as early as 7-9years of age,
definitely before puberty.

If the above is correct, it behooves us to impress a lot more and a
lot earlier upon the next generation, how loved we feel by G"d and how
G"d-intoxicated we are as a result of our wonderful relationship to
Him. In otehr words, perhaps, before we set out to educate budding
talmidei and talmidoth 'hakhomim, we should begin educating them as
budding 'ovedei and 'ovedoth haShem.

Likewise, we should also impress upon them that there are good
questions of faith and good answers, and give them a little sampling
early on, so that they neither freak out, nor flip out or opt out.
They should find fulfilment and respect that a nivra betzelem E-lohim
deserves.

Kol tuv & good Shabbos,
-- 
Arie Folger,
Latest blog posts on http://ariefolger.wordpress.com/
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