Family Blog Topic

Should people go to other religions' day camps?

Hey there, this is A Plus's Mom. We decided to try something new today. We're going to have a whole conversation about a topic. I'm going to be the guest blogger on A Plus's site, and sometimes she'll guest -blog on my site. When I blog it will be brown like coffee, because I love coffee.

When I blog it will be pink, because I love pink.

OK, so should people go to other religions' day camps?

I think that it depends on what people do there. If you end up doing something completely against your religion, maybe it's not worth going. If you decorate cookies for a holiday you don't celebrate, maybe watch a kid-level movie, and make crafts, go there all you want.

Well, so let's take a real-life example. We are UU's and the camp we're talking about is non-denominational Christian. One of the things I really like about UU's is that we get our inspiration from lots of different sources. Lots of those sources are Christian. So it would be really great for you to learn all that good Christian stuff.

Well, I just like the crafts sometimes.

No shame in that. But, in some way large or small, these people are running this camp because they think it is important that you grow up Christian. See, I don't think that's important. So, there's bound to be some conflict there.

Well, of course. A lot of churches want you to join them.

Well, sure. That's only right. But, ok, what if the craft is a craft about exorcism or the movie is a movie about going to hell?

[looks confused] Uh, what's exorcism?

Exorcism is where you cast the devil out of a person. Some Christians believe in it. My point is just, there's lots of creepy stuff that lots of religions believe and I wouldn't just want you swallowing it up without thinking.

O.k., so back to the point-It also depends on how religious you are. Are you fine with going to a thing that is a tiny bit against your religion? What about a medium sized amount?

Is it on a day that you think is important religiously?

What, like a sabbath or something?

Yes, like that.

Good point.

I don't necessarily think it's a question of how much you and your church disagree with them and their church (especially when you're talking about UU's, since we probably don't agree with each other anyway.) I mean, disagreeing is ok. I think it's about respect.

Like what?

Like, here's an example. Lots of Christian churches recite The Apostle's Creed. And I'm sure that Christian parents think that is a wholesome and lovely thing for their kids to be doing in Sunday school. And it's a beautiful and inspiring statement. But the Apostle's Creed is -- well, it's a creed. You get what a creed is?

Sure. It's a brief authoritative formula of religious belief (according to the dictionary.)

Right. So, you don't have one of those. So, if you were in a group and they all were reciting that creed or any creed, I would want you to feel comfortable bowing out. I would want the people to respect that.

Well, I would feel comfortable doing that.

Yes, well, you are exceptionally principled and outspoken.

Thank you.

Well, what do you think about the other side of it -- respect for the church? I mean, I wouldn't want any kid of mine sitting in the back feeling superior to the people in the church either.

Of course I wouldn't do that.

Well, then, so if you respect them and they respect you, do you suppose it's a good idea for you to go to the camp?

Yes, you?

Me too.