Here We Go Again

I hope this is the last time I have to talk about this because this church thing is getting out of hand! We have previously discussed religious zealots and overly exaggerated church songs and sermons. Well, here we go again!

Read this article.

Here's why I'm mad:

Although many of the posts here are my personal opinions, I tend not to get too personal, but I am willing to let that rule go for the purpose of this article.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am a Christian. I go to church every (well, almost every) Sunday; I tithe (mostly); I do bible study with my family (sometimes), etc. I grew up in your typical Christian home where I went to Sunday School, joined the choir and a number of youth groups. I even attended Vacation Bible School in the summer! As active as my family and I were in the church, my parents still allowed me to go on dates and attend dances and parties that my friends were throwing.

Getting ready for my prom was a great experience; it was almost like my mother was dressing me for my wedding! My mom shopped for my dress, took me to the hairdresser, got my nails done and left work early to help me get dressed. I did not see my parents until two days later because I went to the after party (my first club experience) and got home in the wee hours of the morning only to change for a trip to Six Flags (anyone who went to Sheepshead Bay HS knows after prom, you HAVE to go to Six Flags! It is tradition!).

I could not imagine not going through any of these experiences because I either A- went to a school that did not allow it, or B- lived in a strict household that forbade any type of nonreligious activities.

If there can be no dancing and no holding hands, I am in deep trouble. Deep, deep trouble!

"Train up a child in the way he should go and he will not depart from it". That is somewhere in the Bible, not sure where, but it is in there and it rings true. If you instill in a child certain values and ethical standards, then you can trust that your child will be okay, but by all means, do not beat them over with a religious stick! Where are his parents in all of this? Did they allow their son to attend his girlfriend's prom? Did they know about the school's strict rules? How do they feel about his suspension?

Regardless of which, we need to lighten up. Teach your children right from wrong. Help them make wise decisions, but also allow them to make mistakes. Have fun with your kids, but also allow them to have fun independently of you. Talk to them and trust that they are listening- and trust me, they are listening. In the end, your children will be alright... even if they dance and hold hands for a little.