What a hypocrite you are! You are indeed utterly and completely ignorant of how typical Christians raise their children, yet you make sweeping generalizations and absurd, absolute statements such as "As in any household where religion has a great influence, kids have very little latitude to make choices for themselves where religion is concerned. This is true of any churchgoing family, not just this particular group." As in any household??!! Pray tell, how do you come by this information? Did you take a poll? Did you camp out in numerous Christian backyards and observe the Christian animals abusing their children?

Or do you simply consider all raising of children to abide by household rules "coerced religion"? Because I can tell you, my father had strict rules, and he made us follow them, yet my family was utterly irreligious. How can this be? An irreligious houshold that coerces its children? It was also dysfunctional. Imagine that. A dysfunctional family without the aid of religion Whoda thunk it? Coersion, dysfunctionality, It must be Christian!

I can also tell you that I, on the other hand am very familiar with how typical Christians raise their children, because I have been a part of mainstream Christianity for 30 years. I can also tell you that, outside extremes (flat topped, red necked, shotgun toting, spinning eyed totalitarians are NOT the norm in Christianity regardless of what you think), the Christian people we know, by and far raise their children in stable, fair, and involved homes. They also have a basis and definition of right and wrong that the secular world does not, and cannot ever have. So from a person that actually knows to a person that obviously does not, I can tell you that you are wrong.

Now for the hypocrisy: Teen depression, suicide, pregnancy, drug use, drop out rates, profanity, crime, lack of respect, narcissism, aimlessness. You think secular society is doing better than Christian society? I beg to differ. We home-schooled our children. Contrary to popular belief, homeschoolers are hardly under-socialized. The group of peers that our kids (still - they are in college now) hang out with are nicer, more well adjusted, have greater direction and self esteem, communicate with and respect older people far better than any peer group I ever hung out with as a kid. No one, and I mean no one we know has ever required their children to do anything more than obey rules and adhere to their particular family norms, which by the way, has nothing to do with religion. Some of these kids grow up to be of the same conviction as their parents and some not. None are shunned.

Before you point your finger at some group with clear, consistent, historical direction and foundational standards and call them unfair or incompetent to raise children you had better closely examine what the groups that have no such structure have produced.

Best wishes,

Poco

"we're doing just fine without your stupid Jesus and we'd like to be free to keep it that way, thanks!"

What do you fear so much, so as to make such a crude statement? How is anyone "forcing something down your throat", by simply practicing a particular philosophy? Your fear does not seem rational.

"So many (Christians) are simply washouts and losers who couldn't hack it without some kind of silly spiritual crutch. I'm sorry that your friends all hated you and that your family was full of losers."

Whatever other nice things you and your family may be, respectful is obviously not one of them. Have you taught your children to be as respectful and tolerant as you are being? Have you taught them to fear and hate others, because they believe or practice a different philosophy? What is "the love of God" to you? Do you practice it? What kind of "love" do you practice? One that is intolerant of others? It would seem so. Hopefully, your children are more loving, polite and tolerant than the person who raised them. Otherwise, they may grow up, become politicians, and outlaw any philosophy that they do not agree with. In the meantime, its great that you have a nice house, marriage, and job.

Best wishes,

Poco

P.S. I'm not your son.

Thanks for sharing. I think I know where you are coming from. I started out in a "motorcycle ministry" and have hopefully matured in the faith some by now. You know what was cool about that ministry that starkly differentiates it from the CGM/Seeker movement? Our pastor said "If you are still here after two years. Something is wrong, and you are not growing". He recognized that his ministry was not for the spiritually mature. But it was a great way to introduce bikers (real Detroit bikers - not Sears bikers) to a concept very foreign to them. I just wish these other, similar ministries could come to grips with that concept. Is it great that Mars Hill attracts individuals who are extremely "individualistic", however, upon maturity, the true Christian has no identity other than that of Christ. Eventually the tattoos, bizarre hairdo's and style of dress are seen for what they are; a distraction from what we are really trying to draw attention to (He must increase and I must decrease - John the Baptist saw his own fame as a hindrance). That's where I think these churches go astray.

Best Wishes,

Poco

Please site some more extremes.

Poco