Defending the Truth

tadpole256 · 03-15-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaaaman

Have you ever done a 'fasting' Tad?

I have indeed. It is a part of several buddhist rites, and I have also done it as a sort of general Yoga body-cleansing. I have also fasted as a Catholic.

winston53660 · 03-15-2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solon

I have fasted before for various reasons. I would not count a fast as child abuse necessarily, however it can be taken too far. A sunup to sundown fast is reasonable, forcing a nine year old child to fast for three days is not and would constitute abuse. A three week bread and water fast would also constitute abuse if not supplemented with vitamin capsules to offset malnutrition. I do not believe these extreme examples are what was intended in the movie, but something more akin to the sunup to sundown fast or a 24 hour fast.

Also people should consider that a child's body is still devolping.

jaaaman · 03-15-2007, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tadpole256

How can a 5 year old comprehend god? And even if he were to be "saved" (from what, who knows?), he said he wanted more from life... at 5? At 5 he wanted more from life? That's bullshit, it's something his parents taught him. At least teach him the truth, He's christian because his parents say so. But that doesn't sound good for the cameras does it?

Some 5 year olds are very intelligent and have a keen sense of the world around them Tad. I believe some of them are quite capable of comprehending the concept of God.

jaaaman · 03-15-2007, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winston53660

Also people should consider that a child's body is still devolping.

Fasting, if done correctly, will not harm the development of a young childs body.

winston53660 · 03-15-2007, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaaaman

Fasting, if done correctly, will not harm the development of a young childs body.

I really ho0nestly don't know that much about this but I find it very suspect and potentially dangerous.

But hey I also find McDonalds potenially very dangerous for kids.

Solon · 03-15-2007, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winston53660

Also people should consider that a child's body is still devolping.

I agree, that is why a three day fast would be abuse. I could fast for three days (I very nearly have in fact) without much ill effect (so long as I decrease my level of physical active of course), but for a child the potential for harm is greater.

foundit66 · 03-15-2007, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaaaman

There is nothing wrong with fasting if it is done safely. In fact, there are some health benefits to fasting from time to time... and it also helps to clear your mind when you are needing to focus on God in prayer and supplication.

< sigh >
And quite frankly, considering this nation's problem with weight, I would say it there are some "health benefits" which are probably more obvious than others...

But seriously, my main issue is that there are a handful of adults, telling KIDS (again, without parents) that they should fast as a sign of belief and love of God.

"if it is done safely" may be true, and quite frankly these guys should have the common sense to realize you cannot open that bottle and let out that genie for a group of kids WHO HAVE NO IDEA on how to do it "safely". And who knows if the leaders actually bothered to try to explain "safely".
Imagine if the leaders had just blindly told the kids to "go forth and multiply", trusting the kids to know that they should find the right girl first, get engaged, get married, ensure you have a stable environment, and then have the kid.
Considering Christians don't even trust educating kids in ways other than abstinence, why the heck should we trust kids EVEN YOUNGER to know how to properly fast?

And on another note, I wonder if "safely" is even a concept for a kid that is still growing. I don't know the medical / scientific aspects of the situation, but fasting with GROWING KIDS seems like it could be an inherent no-no.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tadpole256

One kid spoke of being saved at 5 years old because he wanted more from life! What the hell kind of brainwashing is that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaaaman

And just what is wrong with a kid at 5 years old accepting Jesus as his personal Savior and Lord? And yes, it does make life more worth living and enriching.

Quite frankly, I would question what the heck "more out of life" he thought he was getting.
A 5-year old kid hasn't even really lived any real sort of life in the first place...

tadpole256 · 03-15-2007, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaaaman

Some 5 year olds are very intelligent and have a keen sense of the world around them Tad. I believe some of them are quite capable of comprehending the concept of God.

They are intelligent. But religion is not a matter of intelligence, it's a matter of faith. And faith comes from experience, something children do not have. It's brainwashing.

jaaaman · 03-15-2007, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tadpole256

I have indeed. It is a part of several buddhist rites, and I have also done it as a sort of general Yoga body-cleansing. I have also fasted as a Catholic.

Would you agree then that it has a cleansing effect on the mind and body?