From the mailbag:
"Dear MamaBear,
I'm a God-fearing Christian and my youngest child stunned me yesterday; she asked me if Jesus was real!
Am I a horrible mother for raising a child who has doubts?
Anonymous"
Dear A,
Ah.
Organized religion.
The bane of MamaBear's existence.
I confess; whenever asked about God or Jesus or any other religious figure, I first think, "about what religion are we speaking? Christianity? Judaism? Moslem? Buddhist?" etc.etc.etc.
Every religion has their own sacred beliefs…and every religion thinks they're right and everyone else is wrong.
It saddens MamaBear, it really does.
But back to your question; I believe every person and child should have a very healthy dose of skepticism in their lives.
It enables them *not* to be fooled about so many things.
About Jesus, I found some resources that might help you:
Permit me to say, however, that history (ie, Jesus being "real") isn't the main issue; truth and faith are two separate, distinct, non-intersecting entities.
If you're a God-fearing Christian, don't focus on the reality, instead, focus on what your religion teaches. And when your child is old enough, encourage her to research and think for herself…by that time, her faith would probably carry her through anything she discovers regarding "truth".
Thus speaks…MamaBear
