Holy Roller

[katiekat]

When it rains over here it pours. Sean can go a while with no issues then BAM a bunch at once. So he has started this preaching business which is just ridiculous. Now don't get me wrong I am all for church, and religion, and faith but this is something different. I know we have all met those people that preach and lecture and throw God's name around to suit them and they are usually the biggest hypocrites ever. But I never heard it from a 6 year old. I think it's great that the g-parents take him to church and I know he is not hearing these things at church because it is a regular Methodist church that I went to when I was growing up. He is constantly telling people that they are sinners, things that they are doing are sins and that God hates them. We recently went to a cookout at friends and Sean made a cross out of 2 sticks and was shoving it everyone face saying that it was the cross Christ died on for their sins and calling them sinners. More than one person was a little put off. Plus it probably scares kids to be told that God hates them. I have let him know God doesn't hate and that I am sure He doesnt want Sean to tell people that he does. He is starting to remind me of some lunatic on a streetcorner ranting fire and brimstone stories. Any suggestions?

[charliegirl]

I had to take a while to think about this one.

I have to admit the mental picture of cute little Sean preaching fire and brimstone cracked me up even as I realized how important it is to get him straightened around.

Could he have gotten this attitude from his mother? I'm wondering if she or someone she knows preached at Sean that God hates him because he is a bad sinner and he had better straighten up or else, trying to scare him into being good for her.

Do you have a children's Bible or a book of Bible stories for children? I think you need to read the stories of Jesus to him and point out how loving Jesus always was. Their is only one instance of Him being less than loving towards men and that was when he was upset at the men in the temple exploiting worshippers.

If you point out the examples of Jesus' love, gentleness and forgiveness, and discuss the fact that Jesus does hate the sin but He loves the sinners, you can trust the Holy Spirit to work in Sean so he will understand and stop the finger pointing.

[katiekat]

It's not from his mom as she's upset over it as well-she told me he has been doing it with her -it's the grandmother. I know she wouldn't say things exactly the way Sean is saying them but he confuses and twists things around easily.

[charliegirl]

I think its time your husband had a chat with his parents. Sean has enough trouble with social issues without having to deal with the repercussions of this. If they want to continue having him visit they are going to have to get their acts together.

[jj]

Sometimes people with bipolar will get obsessed with religion but it sounds to me like he is just trying to mimic the grandparents. He is so young and impressionable. I think Charliegirl may be right....the grandparents may need to cool it on the religion thing.