God, Privilege, and the Rights of Minors

God, Privilege, and the Rights of Minors

"God should know that waking up early on a Sunday is inhuman." When I was a teenager, those were my thoughts every time my parents dragged me to church. The Beatles and my headphones allow me to concentrate better. Since I can remember, it has always been like this. Sunday mornings were spent rebelling against God and my parents through a combination of early Sunday school, later Bible studies, and foreign language liturgy. 

My mother's religious upbringing was the primary reason I resented my parents. The Smothers Brothers are political heavyweights, but I seriously doubt that they coerced their children. To make my parents feel as bad as I did, I would stew for the entire hour it took to get to church. It remained unchanged throughout the years.

After 35 years, I still think of my childhood with gratitude for the gift my parents provided me. Although I no longer follow their religion, I have an ingrained belief in a power bigger than myself. Having faith comes as naturally to me as taking a deep breath, and I never feel like I need to go looking for God or for the strength to get through tough circumstances. There is nothing else I could possibly want or need.

I have friends who vow they will never have that kind of upbringing for their own children. The refrain, "I will never force my child into religion like my parents did," was repeated over and over again. To put it another way, "I will wait until they are old enough and let them choose for themselves." Both of these options, as well as the "feel-good" experiments of the 1970s, have proven disastrous. As a result, the population of people who are "entitlement fixated" continues to expand. It's so widespread that if I had the authority, I'd classify it as a distinct mental illness.

If kids are never taught to fall short, they'll never learn to enjoy the bittersweet taste of accomplishment or the drive that comes from coming in second. They won't acquire self-discipline unless they realize that they may have to perform things they despise in order to achieve larger goals. They will never fully appreciate the thrill of giving unless we teach them empathy at an early age. And if we don't nurture their souls, they may never learn to put their faith in God.

After thinking about the people who came before me, I realize that many of them are hopeless misfits who blame the world and everyone else for their problems instead of taking responsibility for themselves. They lack a healthy sense of boundaries or respect and are spoiled and superior. How could they, since they, not God, are now the center of the universe? This is the world we've left them. Since we have made them feel invincible and exempt from any shortcomings, they are tragically incapable of understanding the obvious fact that there is a power beyond themselves.

In terms of spiritual education, I had a "rough around the edges" upbringing. It wasn't much, but at least it gave me something to base my spirituality on. Divine inspiration and an awareness of the sacred were bestowed on me. I am not the focus, but rather an integral part of something far bigger. Participating in goodness and love and acting on what is right has done more for my sense of self and God than any number of achievements could.

Those who insist on being treated as winners at all costs are miserable losers who live in a world of isolation and fear. Due to their inflated sense of self-importance, they substitute manipulation and control for genuine affection. The loneliness of a "self-only" existence is inconceivable to me. Expectations and arrogance take the place of kindness and confidence. All feelings of community have been buried under an insatiable desire for instant fulfillment. 

One's personality can be brazenly obvious or subtly alluring and manipulative. However, the end goal is always the same: satisfying one's own wants and requirements. In contrast to narcissism, all attempts at spiritual connection and empathic reactions are driven by a desire to achieve a specific goal. As long as they don't feel immediately threatened, genuine narcissists are capable of empathy and connection. A person who is fixated on their own sense of entitlement never actually feels entitled, despite their frequent protestations to the contrary.

I have a lot of sympathy for the people of this world who are so focused on what they're owed. They must be some of the most isolated and uncertain people around. I've given a lot of thought to finding a cure for this condition, and I think part of the answer can be found in one word: humility.

The value of humility is often overlooked. We've fought hard to shield the next generation from the anguish of shame because we mistook it for humility. To demonstrate humility, Mother Theresa often observed, "I am just God's little pencil." It's a spiritual peak a wonderful, open moment of total surrender and acceptance. 

A magenta sunset or a fit of belly laughter causes me to feel small and insignificant. My pets' unwavering loyalty and ecstatic antics have made me feel small and humbled. My tiny town has an incredible amount of brilliant people, and the dedication of the people that volunteer there is quite inspiring. I try to have a low profile and a simple style of life. I draw strength from the vastness and depth of knowledge of all things bigger than me, but I am ready, willing, and able to take on the problems of my life head-on.

Kids need to realize that the lessons learned from setbacks can be more valuable than the glory of victory. Genuine happiness comes from celebrating the accomplishments of others. Contributing to a larger whole is more rewarding than receiving individual attention. Peace comes from giving. God is not something that can simply be thought about; rather, it is a faculty that must be cultivated. Because of our modesty, we can take pleasure in the success of others and work toward their greatest good. My parents weren't perfect teachers, and they didn't shower me with affection. Instead, they presented me with a gift I will always remember.

The spiritual growth of your child is too important to put off. A shaky skeleton is better than none at all. Resistance is worth it if it teaches you self-control, humility, community, and faith in God. It is our duty as parents and examples to do this. The best of our heritage is this.