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tovlo4801
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| Posted: Dec 15 2005 at 7:34pm | IP Logged
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My son goes to a speech therapist and today during their time talking the therapist told my son that he believes there are seven gods.
My first instict was, "what!?!" Followed by "where am I going to find a new therapist?" Followed then by, "well, this is interesting. Perhaps there's a learning opportunity here..."
The therapist is very good at what he does and while a large amount of the session is spent just talking (working on speech), I don't think he'd try to push his viewpoints on my son. I attend the appointment with my youngest and my oldest is pretty wise.
I'm wondering if anyone knows what faith would believe in seven gods. I'd like to research it a bit and talk over the differences with my son. I don't want him to play the role of apologist, but I think it would be wise to educate him about whatever faith this therapist subscribes to and educate him about the differences.
I looked seven gods up on google and a site about Japanese Buddahism came up. Does anyone know anything about this or have any other possibilities?
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Karen E.
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| Posted: Dec 16 2005 at 9:22am | IP Logged
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Richelle,
Well, I can't be of much help -- I found only the seven lucky gods that is probably the same as what you found.
I guess I would treat it as I do any other encounter my kids have with someone not of the Faith ... you're right, that (for an older child) this can be a good experience to learn about the religious differences in the world, and to reinforce one's own beliefs. I'd be a little bit concerned about how religious beliefs happened to come up, but it also presents an opportunity for your son to add someone to his "conversion prayer list." 
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God bless,
Karen E.
mom to three on earth, and several souls in God's care
Visit my blog, with its shockingly clever title, "Karen Edmisten."
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tovlo4801
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| Posted: Dec 16 2005 at 12:57pm | IP Logged
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Karen E. wrote:
| I'd be a little bit concerned about how religious beliefs happened to come up, but it also presents an opportunity for your son to add someone to his "conversion prayer list." |
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Thanks for your response Karen. My husband must be much better at searching Google because he found some things about an ancient Babylonian religion, something to do with astrological ages (given this therapists age and general demeneor, I tend toward this one), and something with Hinduism. My dh didn't want to speak it outloud, but he whispered to me that there are also some satanic references to seven evil gods as well. (!!) We just don't have enough information.
I tried to get out of my son how it came up, but he didn't remember. My son is very upset about the whole "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays" thing and I wonder if he didn't say something about this expecting a sympathetic response and the therapist chose to gently make him aware that everyone doesn't believe in the same God. I don't know. They talk about all sorts of things and I've had some concerns in the past about what exactly they talk about. My littlest is too disruptive to bring him in to sit in on my oldest's appointment. I don't know. I've been going back and forth since yesterday about what to do here. I want to ask for more information, but I don't want to set him off by sounding like I disapprove. I know...I hate conflict.
As of right now I think we'll just make sure that our son understands the variation between the therapist's beliefs and ours and give him the gentle impression that it concerns us a bit. I always try to ask him what they talk about after each appointment and if he's aware that we have concerns about this hopefully he'll be alert to things that might be of concern.
If you guys could pray for this situation -- both for wisdom about what we should do and for protection for my son in the slight chance that something concerning is going on, I'd appreciate it.
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Karen E.
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| Posted: Dec 16 2005 at 4:14pm | IP Logged
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tovlo4801 wrote:
| I've had some concerns in the past about what exactly they talk about. My littlest is too disruptive to bring him in to sit in on my oldest's appointment. |
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Is there a way that your littlest could be somewhere else during your oldest's appointment? Can your husband or a friend come along and sit with the youngest while you go in with the oldest so you can get a better feel for how they're relating?
tovlo4801 wrote:
| I've been going back and forth since yesterday about what to do here. I want to ask for more information, but I don't want to set him off by sounding like I disapprove. I know...I hate conflict. |
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Most of us hate conflict. I know how you feel. But you have every right to ask about how the topic of religion arose. Remember, this is an adult in a position of authority over your son, and that makes him influential.
Perhaps you could simply say that your son surprised you by saying they'd discussed religion, and that he was a bit confused about the idea of seven gods, and could he (the therapist) elaborate a bit for you?
tovlo4801 wrote:
As of right now I think we'll just make sure that our son understands the variation between the therapist's beliefs and ours and give him the gentle impression that it concerns us a bit. |
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We are very upfront with our kids about different faiths. Perhaps because we're the only Catholics on either side of our families, we've had to be, so that our beliefs don't get watered down. My kids have friends who are Catholic, Protestant, and we're quite close to one family that is not even Christian. But, we talk about all the differences, about how many others have a love for God, but they are lacking the fullness of the faith that is found in the Catholic Church. We pray for those who aren't Catholic or Christian at all.
But, I keep coming back to the fact that this is an adult in a position of authority. It may be that everything is perfectly fine, and the therapist was just, as you said, gently pointing out to your son that not everyone is Christian, and he gave a detail to prove his point. But, you have a right to know if there is anything more to these discussions. It doesn't have to be confrontational.
tovlo4801 wrote:
If you guys could pray or this situation -- both for wisdom about what we should do and for protection for my son in the slight chance that something concerning is going on, I'd appreciate it. |
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I'll be praying. Let us know how things unfold ....
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God bless,
Karen E.
mom to three on earth, and several souls in God's care
Visit my blog, with its shockingly clever title, "Karen Edmisten."
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tovlo4801
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| Posted: Dec 19 2005 at 9:15pm | IP Logged
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Well, I spoke with my son about the situation and for now we've decided to leave things as they are with him being careful about the content of their conversations and sharing it with me afterwards. I'd arranged for my mom to come to appointments with me to watch my younger, but when I talked with my son he said that he'd prefer me not to sit in on his appointments. He understands my concerns and will work with me on this.
We'll see how it goes.
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Sarah
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| Posted: Dec 20 2005 at 10:17am | IP Logged
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My husband was thinking the 7 God thing might be Hindu.
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Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
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momwise
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| Posted: Dec 26 2005 at 10:37am | IP Logged
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I also think it might be Hindu.....there are different sects....that's all I know folks!! 
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Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: seven gods?
