Categories: uncategorized
Date: 12 February 2008 07:08:04
Third Party has started baptism classes and I am struggling. Now, I know if I really had huge problems with the whole thing I could have said no, but this is Third Party's decision and just as my parents went along with my baptism, even if they weren't exactly thrilled I'm going along with Third Party's.
Now don't get me wrong, I think adult baptism is a wonderful thing and I am nearly moved to tears every time I witness one. However, this is my ickle girl we're talking about and more than that I have to say it is putting into sharp focus my own complicated views on evangelicalism and I have that whole thing going on of I don't want my daughter repeating my mistakes, (i.e. getting sucked into the "evangelical bubble" and making bad life decisions as a result of taking on the theory without thinking). Note Third Party is aware of my past and says that nobody is trying to brain wash her, rather in my attempts to stop her making the same mistakes I am the only one trying to tell her what she should think.
Added onto this is the fact Third Party is an independent thinker who has chosen to pick up on some of my theological views and I am worried that the people running the baptism classes don't quite get it. Apparently yesterday she had to confirm that yup she did recognise Jesus was a bloke (due to the emphasis she was putting on God having a mixture of male and female attributes from what I can get from the gist of the conversation - remember this is a teenager I am trying to find out what's happening from).
So todays dilemma: Do I (a) approach the people running the baptism classes to clarify what's going on and what they are doing in these classes and then bite my lip very hard when they tell me (b) have a quiet word with the minister and say I am a bit concerned, (c) carrying on taking the approach it's none of my business and so I won't get involved, (d) go and get some counselling myself because these issues obviously have more to do with my own hang ups and past than what is happening with Third Party?
Also if anybody knows of any books that might be useful for me to look at about "how to handle it if you manage to give your children your faith" I would be greatful for the reference.