So I got a 7 year old, Easter is coming up soon and he wants to know is Jesus really real and will he visit. I'm not sure how to give him an answere. They have been learning about Jesus and Easter at school :/
Maybe its a good time for you start helping him develop his critical thinking skills. Instead of telling him what you do or don't believe, allow him to reach his own truth. Use the Socratic method and help him reach his own conclusions. Good critical thinking skills are so important, and they aren't paid as much attention in school as they should be.
This was the approach I took with my son. First with Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy. Later with Jesus and God. The outcome is that he doesn't believe in any of them, but it's something that he's determined for himself, rather than a learned belief system.
That is a tough one. As a parent, when your children are at this young age, you must be creative. When my children would ask me tough questions I would never tell them how I felt. I clearly wanted them to arrive at their own conclusion. Answering a question with a question isn't usually accepted however, most seven-year old won’t see anything wrong with it. Ask your child what they think, do you think Jesus will come to see you? Does he know where you live? Does he have that much time? Let them come to their own conclusion.
Tell him the truth as you know it and say "I don't know for sure but I don't believe he was real. There's no historical proof." Ask him if he'd like to research the origin of Easter with you.
When my niece lived with me, she believed in Jesus on holidays where she'd receive candy or gifts but not on an ordinary day.
I would tell her what you believe, and what others believe. I'd teach her the legends and the stories. Also teach her critical thinking skills, and to ask lots of questions. And yes, I'd hide easter eggs for her and have candy for her because it is fun and tasty.
If it were my child, I would make a point to thwart any seed planting that is going on at school. I would not only explain that I do not believe, but most importantly I would provide the reasons for why I do not...
I would first be concerned about what type of school my child is attending that is teaching theological classes to 7 year olds. Then I would tell them that Jesus and the bible are myths from stone age racists and is a dangerous and objectively "evil" book.
I have 2 children and struggle with same deal for Easter and xmas, I have told my children how I feel about these holidays, but I feel like all I can do is wait and let them figure it out for themselves as I told them and just try my best to keep them away from the Kool aid, I hope they will see my way but all I can do is let them decide for themselves....all in all they just want the candy and presents for now...
I would personally just tell him/her what you believe and why and leave him with the choice. if he/she is old enough to ask an honest question I think its only right you give him your honest answer. remember a lie has to last forever. this is not advice and obviously, your choice to make. the truth will come out in the end. its what I did with the 2 boys I brought up and they are both none believers but I never told them what to be.
You can encourage independent thought by asking him questions that spur the thought process. I.e. What do you think? What evidence do you see about a god? Why do you think others believe in a god?
I think it's key to let him know it's his choice to believe what he wants.
Also very tough for him to avoid criticism or ridicule from other children, if he expresses a non-belief at a young age. Difficult situation for sure.
"Jesus visiting"??? It sounds like he is confusing jesus with santa claus, lol!
I’ve had the same discussions with my eleven year old daughter. I tell her what I think and tell her to make up her own mind. She has valid opinions just like I do.
I told my kids that a lot of people believe Jesus died on a Friday, but on Easter Sunday he got up and walked around renewed. I explained that WE celebrate Easter as the renewal and rebirth of spring. That's why we have the Easter bunny. Bunnies are born in the spring. Eggs represent newborn chicks. If it was all just about Jesus, we would have images of dead guys pushing stones around after being crucified. Of course, then they wanted to know what crucifixion is, and that opens up a whole new kettle of horror.
if you were living in los angeles or mexico city there would be a better chance
My dad was an atheist and when I asked about it (at about your childs age) He told me the truth. He also said that this is what he thought, not necessarily what I should think and when I grew older I should make my own mind up about it. The fact that I am here shows which way I went.
I would also tell your child that easter goes back along way before Jesus and is to do with spring. When the trees and the flowers start to come back to life and so we celebrate it with eggs and bunny rabbits. It is also when christians have chosen to celebrate the resurrection.