it's all about God

[Lindaloo]

This puts things in a different perpective: http://www.snopes.com/glurge/dutton.asp

And it is nice to know there are no atheists in Chula Vista. My son and his wife live there.

What would be the problem if there were some of them living there? Would they pose a threat?

If I were you, I would watch your step. Consider this a warning too.

[vbhoutex]

Let me pop back in here as an ADMIN of this site. I/we are allowing this discussion to go on as long as it remains civil. It is attempting to not be that way so FAIR WARNING.

[GalvestonDuck]

This puts things in a different perpective: http://www.snopes.com/glurge/dutton.asp

Not sure what "different" perspective you mean. It doesn't say he did or didn't write it. It simply says that it's undetermined who wrote it, but that it was written several years ago and has been in circulation for quite some time. And it agrees with my assertion that he may received the assignment at a religion-based school. How is that a "different" perspective?

[HollynLA]

It's interesting to look at things through the eyes of a child. It's so uncomplicated and to the point.

[Stephanie]

It's interesting to look at things through the eyes of a child. It's so uncomplicated and to the point.

Absolutely! The innocence is so pure and refreshing and hopeful.

[vbhoutex]

Steve, you are always so eloquent with your thougts and words. Thank you for a clarifying response. Ah, the world through the "eyes of a child".

What this young man is writing is not "indoctrination". It is what he has learned at this point. I was brought up in the church from day one. Yet, the filters AZSkyman speaks of became present in my life at some points and I questioned my beliefs, as I am sure this young man will eventually. If we never question anything, then we are not thinking and this young man clearly has a mind to think with. I am still a Christian, very active in my church, and very strong in my faith, but there is never a time when I am not open to civil discussion of the same. IMO, whether we are Atheist, Agnostic, Christian, or any other persuasion, we would be remiss if we did not leave ourselves the room to learn and hear others thoughts.

And yes it is very cute and refreshing to see something like this coming out of a child. As Lindaloo said, there are way too many adults who can not approach that level of discussion/interpretation.

[Lindaloo]

As we get older, we tend to see things through all kinds of filters. Like that eyeglass tester that the optomitrist uses.

"Cover your left eye and tell me if this is clearer or is this one better? Click. Now is this one better or the first one? Click. Tell me if this makes it easier to see the letters on the chart, or does this one? Click. And so on..and so on.."

We are given the gift of children to help us see around the filters. They help us see what is real. They help us throw out our filters.

He captured the essence of it all in a few paragraphs. We would have asterisks all over it if we invited our filters back into the mix. So let's not, and let's learn from this young fellows crystal clear vision.

And it is nice to know there are no atheists in Chula Vista. My son and his wife live there.

[yoda]

I think its nice the 8 year old was able to explain the way he thought about God. Its well written, and he is firm in his beliefs. Is he indocrinated? No, its just what he believes. We all can believe in what we want to believe. Its our right to do so.

Don't know if I am treading on dangerous ground here, if so, please tell me, but what is wrong with atheism? I am sorta an atheist in itself... but I am not totally sure if there is a God or not. We shouldn't judge based on what we believe, as long as we don't force it on others.

[Miss Mary]

We shouldn't judge based on what we believe, as long as we don't force it on others.

And that in a nutshell, is what ~I~ have come to believe, at this later stage in life (51, turning 52 soon).....thanks yoda and thanks azskyman/Steve for putting it so eloquently too. As others have pointed out as well.

Let's not turn this topic (simple, lovely put poem/story an 8 year old child written from the heart) into a huge debate.

If you ask me, there is one aspect of this whole topic that's missing and it's simply - respect.

I'm done.....maybe this topic should be locked?

Mary

[vbhoutex]

I think its nice the 8 year old was able to explain the way he thought about God. Its well written, and he is firm in his beliefs. Is he indocrinated? No, its just what he believes. We all can believe in what we want to believe. Its our right to do so.

Don't know if I am treading on dangerous ground here, if so, please tell me, but what is wrong with atheism? I am sorta an atheist in itself... but I am not totally sure if there is a God or not. We shouldn't judge based on what we believe, as long as we don't force it on others.

No proble as of yet Yoda. What you are describing as your "belief" sounds more like Agnostic as opposed to Atheist. Atheists do not believe in any type of superior entity at all.

My Aunt and Uncle were/are Atheist and she just passed away last month. There were no services of any type, memorial, Christian or otherwise, which was very difficult for most of our family, but we have to RESPECT their wishes and beliefs. To say the very least, no matter their beliefs, I love them.

[yoda]

I think its nice the 8 year old was able to explain the way he thought about God. Its well written, and he is firm in his beliefs. Is he indocrinated? No, its just what he believes. We all can believe in what we want to believe. Its our right to do so.

Don't know if I am treading on dangerous ground here, if so, please tell me, but what is wrong with atheism? I am sorta an atheist in itself... but I am not totally sure if there is a God or not. We shouldn't judge based on what we believe, as long as we don't force it on others.

No proble as of yet Yoda. What you are describing as your "belief" sounds more like Agnostic as opposed to Atheist. Atheists do not believe in any type of superior entity at all.

My Aunt and Uncle were/are Atheist and she just passed away last month. There were no services of any type, memorial, Christian or otherwise, which was very difficult for most of our family, but we have to RESPECT their wishes and beliefs. To say the very least, no matter their beliefs, I love them.

Ah my apologies then. I get those two mixed up. Sorry to hear about your aunt though.

[Stephanie]

My father is an atheist. Everyone has their right to their own beliefs and they should be respected. I'm not of that belief however.

The child's post is refreshing, innocent and pure. That was the main point of this thread. I wish the world was the same way and as evidenced with some of the replies, it definately isn't.

[southerngale]

I guess I'm too naive. I never would have thought Chad's original post would have turned into what it did. Geesh.

Smart kid who has his head on straight at such a young age. Awesome!

[Regit]

I think it's kind of funny that people are arguing over what's been taught to a kid who clearly doesn't exist. Third grade national essay winners don't write that well.

It's just an inspirational piece told through the eyes of a fictional child.

Everyone just take a deep breath.

[573storms]

This is probably a fake letter written by a parent. Snopes explains how the language is too advanced and if Danny Dutton is around he would be about 22 now as the letter has been around since 1993.

What to make of such a piece? It's best to view it as a "from the mouths of babes" composition penned by someone far older - someone who believed having his words seemingly issue from a third grader would lend them added poignancy.

Also, there are lots of atheists and agnostics in the Chula Vista area. So the older person who wrote this fictional letter and invented the fictional boy didn't even do their homework.

[Lindaloo]

How do you know that 573storms? Also, please cite your sources and prove it.

ALSO, on snopes it says the story is "undetermined" it does not say it is "fake" or "false. It amazes me that any mere mention of God ANYWHERE on this board or elsewhere, the usual suspects come out in the open or show up to attack.

[southerngale]

And btw, Steve's comment about Chula Vista was clearly in jest so no sense in getting your undies in a wad.

[Regit]

I think it's kind of funny that people are arguing over what's been taught to a kid who clearly doesn't exist. Third grade national essay winners don't write that well.

It's just an inspirational piece told through the eyes of a fictional child.

Everyone just take a deep breath.

Quick! Everyone ignore what I just said and go about arguing anyway!




I figure that way people will do what I suggest.

[GalvestonDuck]

Let me pop back in here as an ADMIN of this site. I/we are allowing this discussion to go on as long as it remains civil. It is attempting to not be that way so FAIR WARNING.

[southerngale]

I wasn't arguing... I was just surprised that people are making a fuss over Steve's comment that was so obviously made in jest.

However, I'm not sure how you're certain that a kid didn't write it, but fictional or not, the post was cute and inspirational and I'm still shocked the way the thread turned out.


Thanks, Chad. The original post brought a smile to my face.