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Babs
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| Posted: Dec 02 2009 at 6:41am | IP Logged
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We attend an astronomy club for families once a month which our boys really enjoy. The leader (who is Jewish) made a disclaimer to the members (who are all Christian as far as I know) about the December meeting, basically saying he was going to explain away the star of Bethlehem. He made a remark about how people get upset when he does that and we can listen to the facts and then continue to believe whatever we want, said in a condescending way.
My boys who attend are 8 and 11. I know they will be exposed to all kinds of ideas in their life but my 11 year old is just beginning the questioning stage and he looks up to this man as an instructor.
Would you stay home this month or go and try to explain it from a Catholic, faith-filled perspective?
God Bless,
Barb
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Elena
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I would stay home and make up my own unit study on the star of Bethlehem!
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Elena
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My Domestic Church
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Maggie
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I would definitely stay home.
But do not fear...because there are some great resources for your to prove otherwise to your dc!
EWTN has a documentary proving the existence of the Star of Bethlehem. It was produced by Steve McEveety, who was the producer of "The Passion of the Christ."
The schedule of the showing times can be found here
Also, on Christmas Eve night last year, my husband and I watched a show on EWTN concerning the astronomy of the events surrounding and including the Star of Bethlehem. It was super fascinating. I cannot remember the name of the program, but I think I found the website of the professor who put this together. He was a lawyer by trade...but was very interested in this...and it became bigger than he expected when doing his research.
His site is:
www.bethlehemstar.net
It seems to be what dh and I watched last year...it is VERY thorough.
Enjoy!
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Babs
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Elena and Maggie,
Thank you so much! I am glad to hear you say stay home because that was my first instinct.
I think I might forward the information you gave me to the other parents, especially since anyone who wasn't at the meeting in November is going to be blindsided.
Thanks, we look forward to learning more from your suggestions.
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AtHomeScience
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I find it interesting that people like the one teaching this class have to "explain" the Star of Bethlehem.
It would be interesting to know what he has to say for your questioning son's sake. I am not suggesting you go, I just don't want kids to seek out the secular info on their own because it was something their parents avoided, KWIM?
What a really neat website! I am sure the info there will explain whatever it is that would be presented at the class plus the info to refute it.
Blessings,
Kris
At Home Science
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Mattie
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I second what Maggie said about the Star of Bethlehem. Great watch, just thinking about it I get goose bumps all over! It is a great movie.
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Mattie
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lapazfarm
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I wouldn't go.
ETA: What this man claims is pure silliness, even for non-Christians. There are any number of secular sites which admit there are several purely scientific explanations for the existence of the star of Bethlehem and that we cannot prove it one way or another because of the difficulties of nailing down a precise date for the birth of Christ.
Here is just one:Space.com
Simply Googling "Star of Bethlehem" will give you a number of supportive sites from both secular and Christian points of view.
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Mackfam
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I wouldn't go either.
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Jen Mackintosh
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Matilda
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The documentaries Maggie mentioned are actually one and the same. It's called The Star of Bethlehem, was produced by Stephen McEveety (The Passion of the Christ) and is presented by Rick Larson. The website is run by Mr. Larsen who is a Christian man but approached this subject from a skeptical background.
It is fabulous!!! We received it last year from my in laws and just showed it to DS 11 as a finale to his Astronomy year. He loved it and wants to watch it again. It is an amazing DVD that everyone should see!
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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MaryM
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I might go (myself) without kids. It would be interesting to hear what he would have to say in order to better prepare myself to teach the kids using the other materials suggested in a way that would help prepare them for arguments against in the future - if that makes sense. But one wouldn't necessarily have to attend to find those arguements against - I'm sure they are easy to find on an internet search as well. I don't think it would be at all beneficial for the children to go - it would be confusing at best.
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Mary M. in Denver
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: Star of Bethlehem
