Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Mageth · 03-11-2003, 10:01 AM

No I was not. I was demonstrating that argument had taken an emotional turn and playing it out was my way of acknowledging it.

That particular response was directed at something lisarea said.

Mageth · 03-11-2003, 10:08 AM

Children who are not mature enough to understand or deal with a variety of reactions should not be out talking to strangers.

Adults that are not mature enough to understand that children may have limited ability to understand and deal with a variety of reactions should not be out talking to children they don't know.

Remember, these kids range in age from 5 to 17!

Expecting a child to exhibit that level of maturity just to sell cookies door-to-door is a bit of an extreme position, IMO. We're the adults; we're "in control" of the situation. It's up to us to regulate what we say and how we say it when conversing with children.

christ-on-a-stick · 03-11-2003, 10:19 AM

GAWD IN HEAVEN!!!!! I just made a superduper long reply and clicked to respond to a PM.....

*POOF* All gone. Bye-bye!!!

ARGHHHHH....

Now I have to start all over. Christ-on-a-stick (takes own name in vain)

The Other Michael · 03-11-2003, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Children . . . should not be out talking to strangers.

I can agree with that!

cheers,
Michael

Jackalope · 03-11-2003, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AquaVita

And she also knows she feels rejected because you were "mean" and didn't want any cookies.

Geez, when I was that age out selling cookies, I knew perfectly well that not everyone would want to buy stuff. They weren't mean, they just weren't interested. If the kids don't understand that much, then the adults didn't do their job prepping them before sending them out in public. That's just a manners problem.

AquaVita · 03-11-2003, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jackalope
Geez, when I was that age out selling cookies, I knew perfectly well that not everyone would want to buy stuff.

What age?

And of course you know not everyone will buy stuff...but to give an answer such as the one christ on a stick gave, is not something a child will understand.

JCS · 03-11-2003, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Reviewing previous posts of yours, perhaps you can see where the assumptions and confusion about your actions/intent originally came from. For example:

what I said:

Quote:

If they can't understand the rants and raves, then they probably do not understand the policy from which those comments originate. Why are they participating in something they are to young to understand? Or better question, why are adults exposing children to divisive doctrines that the kids will be confronted with. Just who is the guilty party? When they show up at my door I respond as christ-on-a-stick did.

Yes, point taken. However it boils down to this, you can have any expection you desire as to what your child will encounter when you send them to a strangers front door. The home owner who whom ever answers the door is under no obligation to fulfill your expectations.

christ-on-a-stick · 03-11-2003, 10:55 AM

All right, since my first attempted reply got wiped out I am giving this another shot.

Firstly, I apologize for (what I feel was) my mistake in titling the thread "Fun with Girl Scouts!!!" and the lighthearted nature of the OP. This is actually a very serious issue to me and I fear that I misrepresented *myself* and my feelings about the issue by making appear that it was just a matter of "haha, I dissed that girl and then walked away!" I should have titled the thread "My Issues with Girl Scouts" or something along those lines and left the (attempted) humor out of the OP. What can I say, I was feeling devilish!!! However, that in no way reflects the fact that I do in fact have strong feelings on this topic and think it's a subject worth discussing.

Secondly, I would like to reiterate that I feel my statements have been mischaracterized by comparison to "preaching", "lecturing" or "haranguing". In fact I made two simple statements, calmly and politely, and moved on; it is not in my nature to be vitriolic or confrontational with a 9-or-10 year old girl of all people. However, I did (and do) think that she was of an appropriate age to comprehend such statements; I would *not* have said the same thing to a 7-8 year old girl.

More in a moment.... my last 2 attempts at long-ass replies have screwed me up so I'll break it up into parts.

Mageth · 03-11-2003, 10:57 AM

The home owner who whom ever answers the door is under no obligation to fulfill your expectations.

OK, but with obvious limitations. For example, if the strange was a Jehovah's Witness (or pick your religion/cult), I'd hardly think it appropriate for the JW to use this as an opportunity to try to convert my child.

JCS · 03-11-2003, 11:09 AM

Quote:

OK, but with obvious limitations. For example, if the strange was a Jehovah's Witness (or pick your religion/cult), I'd hardly think it appropriate for the JW to use this as an opportunity to try to convert my child.

The only limitations are the contraints of what is legal, beyond that I fail to see what limitations the respondant should be held to. Just because you don't feel something is appropriate is no reason for the respondant to adapt your view point. I don't think religion should be a part of any childs upbringing. Kids should be free to accept or reject religion only after they reach adult status. I may feel religion is inappropriate for kids, but I have no right to expect my limitations or wishes to be met by the parents of the kids.

03-11-2003, 10:55 AM	#78
christ-on-a-stick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 7,116	Trying Again.... All right, since my first attempted reply got wiped out I am giving this another shot. Firstly, I apologize for (what I feel was) my mistake in titling the thread "Fun with Girl Scouts!!!" and the lighthearted nature of the OP. This is actually a very serious issue to me and I fear that I misrepresented myself and my feelings about the issue by making appear that it was just a matter of "haha, I dissed that girl and then walked away!" I should have titled the thread "My Issues with Girl Scouts" or something along those lines and left the (attempted) humor out of the OP. What can I say, I was feeling devilish!!! However, that in no way reflects the fact that I do in fact have strong feelings on this topic and think it's a subject worth discussing. Secondly, I would like to reiterate that I feel my statements have been mischaracterized by comparison to "preaching", "lecturing" or "haranguing". In fact I made two simple statements, calmly and politely, and moved on; it is not in my nature to be vitriolic or confrontational with a 9-or-10 year old girl of all people. However, I did (and do) think that she was of an appropriate age to comprehend such statements; I would not have said the same thing to a 7-8 year old girl. More in a moment.... my last 2 attempts at long-ass replies have screwed me up so I'll break it up into parts.

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03-11-2003, 10:01 AM	#71
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	No I was not. I was demonstrating that argument had taken an emotional turn and playing it out was my way of acknowledging it. That particular response was directed at something lisarea said.

03-11-2003, 10:08 AM	#72
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	Children who are not mature enough to understand or deal with a variety of reactions should not be out talking to strangers. Adults that are not mature enough to understand that children may have limited ability to understand and deal with a variety of reactions should not be out talking to children they don't know. Remember, these kids range in age from 5 to 17! Expecting a child to exhibit that level of maturity just to sell cookies door-to-door is a bit of an extreme position, IMO. We're the adults; we're "in control" of the situation. It's up to us to regulate what we say and how we say it when conversing with children.

03-11-2003, 10:19 AM	#73
christ-on-a-stick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 7,116	GAWD IN HEAVEN!!!!! I just made a superduper long reply and clicked to respond to a PM..... POOF All gone. Bye-bye!!! ARGHHHHH.... Now I have to start all over. Christ-on-a-stick (takes own name in vain)

03-11-2003, 10:57 AM	#79
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	The home owner who whom ever answers the door is under no obligation to fulfill your expectations. OK, but with obvious limitations. For example, if the strange was a Jehovah's Witness (or pick your religion/cult), I'd hardly think it appropriate for the JW to use this as an opportunity to try to convert my child.

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