Idea for a new Religion - Chapter 39 - The Old and The Young & Things Children Should Learn

THE OLD AND THE YOUNG 1) Why the young must embrace what is old - We are all children of the earth, who is ancient and when we are close to her and open to her then we embrace the greatest of our grandmothers and from that union comes wisdom about our place and purpose; a knowing that we are a mortal part of something immortal, a living link in an eternal chain; keeping the flame of life from dying out. Similarly, when a child is close to their grandparent, they learn both about their biological future and about the worlds past; they learn, in a loving way, that it is the destiny of all children to grow old and thus, the duty of all children to live a glowing life; to forget all their cares and have memorable joys instead. From our grandparents, and from historians, we also learn that we are not the first and we will not be the last to attempt great things, to make great mistakes, to try to put the world right or to make a mess of it. We learn to do our best because that was all that even the greatest living people of history could do. 2) Why the old must embrace what is young- To embrace the young is to embrace life, because the young are filled with life. Embrace the spring and be part of it; plant seeds of flowers; be part of the future; of helping to raise your grandchildren; of making a better world. Pass on your wisdom and if you have no wisdom to give then just pass on your love. Learn from the young, all things new and remember your own youth. Be part of life continuing rather than life ending..

THINGS CHILDREN SHOULD LEARN A 1) Children should be involved with political and environmental activism, because this teaches them about the power of small, ordinary people; the power of unity; the importance of standing up for your principles and, it gives them an opportunity to improve the world which they shall inherit from their parents aswell as teaching them that there are many ways which a person can be important; make a contribution or a difference to their world. 2) Children should experience nature; its beauty and wonder and know how to survive its harshness. They must be well informed about life; about sex, birth, old age and death. They should spend time in the company of older relatives, friends and neighbours so that they know about their future and the world's past. The more that they learn about life at an early age, the better equipped they will be to survive their lives to come. Innocence is just ignorance sprinkled with glitter. Knowledge is power and protection. Love, fun and wonder are the essence of a good childhood, not innocence. Being close to nature also brings children close to God, who is all nature. 3) Balance is essential for the upbringing of children just as for the growth and development of all living things: balance between love and discipline; between praise and criticism; between caution and encouragement; between protection and freedom; between work and play.

THINGS CHILDREN SHOULD LEARN B 4) Teach children about the diversity of nature and humanity that add beauty and interest and wonder to our world. All faces are facets of the one who is all. Teach children to respect all people despite their different colours, creeds, customs or points of view. 5) Teach children about those people who courageously fought against oppression and teach them that they must stand up for their own rights and the rights of others. Teach them that there is both goodness and wickedness in the world; both goodness and wickedness in the human heart but that focussing upon goodness, and doing good deeds, increases the goodness in the world. 6) Let them have a happy childhood. Let them know music and games and sports and toys and stories which will teach them to love life as a thing of joy and will encourage the angels to gather and protect them. Also, let those children who are poor or orphaned or abandoned by their parents have a happy childhood. Make sure that there is music, games, sports, toys, stories and love for all children. Every child has a right to loving parents, so all who are able to give a child a good home should adopt an orphan or an abandoned child. 7) Older children and teenagers, who have been orphaned or abandoned, also need loving parents or guardians, friends or mentors; people whom they can trust to help and protect them.