Answering the "free choice" question from a teen.

[Elgama]

Wow . . . has this thread gone all over the place or what!?! Back to the original topic which was adressing an adolescent's declaration of church membership. In the Lutheran tradition, infants are baptized and, after an extensive course of study (which doesn't take place in a building across the street from the public school nor during the regular school day), youth reaffirm their baptism and become confirmed as full members of the congregation. I found that the curriculum very thoroughly explained the beliefs and positions of the Lutheran church but was silent on other denominations and/or religions. As has been the case from time and time in public school, when a subject requires further inquiry, that's what we do as a family. So, in our house, before our daughters were confirmed, we, as a family, embarked on a open-minded study of the tenants of other faiths. That way the girls felt their instruction had not just been one-sided. And . . . they all chose to be confirmed as members of the congregation.

Is a sincere exploration of other faiths part of the seminary curriculum? Visiting other congregations is also an excellent suggestion . . . but not with the strings attached as one poster described -- to feel the lack of the Holy Spirit and then watch the reaction after announcing LDS affiliation.

We're asking our young people to make a very important decision and, accordingly, we owe them the courtesy and respect to provide as much information as possible to aid in that decision.

~~TheLutheran

It used to be something we could study in institute I did the Religions of the World manual - I take my kids to all sorts of religious activities so they can feel the spirit and be uplifted and edified. I took my daughter to an Episcopalian Christmas Eve Mass held by the Bishop of Aberdeen - when that man speaks I feel the spirit very strongly. And my 4 years old loved the liturgy and hymns said it was much more interesting than our sacrament and more fun than just sitting there but she missed the other kids, but the older people that played with her were nice.

-Charley

[Fiannan]

Again, this video is extremely valuable for anyone interested in how much our population is the victim of psychological manipulation:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2637635365191428174

[ztodd]

Again, this video is extremely valuable for anyone interested in how much our population is the victim of psychological manipulation:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2637635365191428174

Doesn't work.

[WANDERER]

Have just caught up with this thread. The first time I heard the shopping for religion comment I was flabbergasted (I've heard it a few times now). Where does it come from?

I don't understand the idea that people take out a shopping list of beliefs and match them up to a false religion product of their dreams...the underlying implication is that they are shopping for a god that fits that list. It also hints that they are self-oriented and that God is not a part of their seeking. And if God isn't a part of their seeking then they're barracking for the wrong side. And all that based on ...? Oops if they are being very prayerful about things.

[kona0197]

It's simple. There are things the Church asks of you that you do not want to do so you choose to go to another Church.

For example I'm not convinced that the LDS Church is the true Church. So I can go somewhere else if I choose.

That's what you call shopping around.

[Fiannan]

Doesn't work.

This link should work:

The Century Of The Self - Part 1 of 4 - By Adam Curtis

Again, each and every family in the Church should watch this with their family -- parts 1 -- 4.