Here’s a guest column “Is Pope Francis a Fraud?” on the new pope by Andrew O’hehir from SALON. I’ts the best commnetary on the the papacy, the recent history of the Roman Catholic Church and religion in general I’ve read in a long time. Is Pope Francis a fraud? After a right-wing coup crushed the reforms of Vatican II, one scholar says the last two popes are illegitimate BY ANDREW O’HEHIR [email protected] It’s easy — maybe too easy — for people with... Read more
XII: Never forget that one of the the greatest joys you can experience is to become a fully engaged grandparent. The second phase of parenthood is to mitigate the inexperience of even the best well meaning parent your child may become. Don’t drop the grandparent ball! If you do you’ll have missed the single best chance for contentment this life offers. (Thus Endeth My Twelve Commandments) To book Frank Schaeffer to speak at your college, church or group contact him at Frankschaeffer.com Frank... Read more
XI: Never forget that passing on life literacy goes for passing on the hope only spirituality offers. So you have doubts! Big deal! Join the club! So you’ve moved on and “grew past” your grandparents’ “simple faith.” Let me tell you their faith wasn’t so simple! You’re still grateful for the sense of belonging you experienced in your childhood. You still remember being held in loving arms. Sincerity is an overrated virtue. Just because you’re not so sure about God... Read more
X: Never forget passing on what is good doesn’t happen by chance. Did your mother read out loud to you and encourage you to do creative art projects by filling your house with books and art supplies and music? Pass it on! My mother and sisters read terrific books out loud to me. I passed that on — thank God — to my kids. Dad played classical music and I’ve played it for my children and grandchildren. We’re not going... Read more
IX: Never forget you owe it to your child to squarely face your own particular generational curse. Some people have rude fathers or mothers with sharp snide tongues. Others have darkly depressed parents. Some have hovering neurotic parents, or a cold and distant father—whatever. Whatever it is that curses you know this: You are going to pass on what you experienced and learned to despise when you grew up unless you make a huge effort not to. You have a... Read more
VIII: Never pass on your fears. Too many a “be careful!” comment or too many a “Don’t do that!” shout, when the worst case risk isn’t actually going to lead to death or serious injury results in a kid who is scared of the world. Don’t hover! There are far worse things than risking a couple of stitches or a broken wrist from “allowing” kids to really play in the real world. A kid who grows up feeling safer staring... Read more
VII: Never forget: You are going to grow a carbon copy of what you hate most about yourself– unless you change what you do and are. There are no excuses. There is no point saying, “Well, I have a temper, that’s just the way I am. My Dad/Mom was a bad example.” No excuses. Loving a child means forcing yourself to change. (to be continued in this space tomorrow…) To book Frank Schaeffer to speak at your college, church or... Read more
VI: Never make the mistake I made by expecting that somehow a child will learn to be polite by yelling at them! Snapping, “Say thank you!” or “Say please!” teaches nothing. Saying please and thank you to your child and showing them consistent respect is what they will imitate. (to be continued in this space tomorrow…) To book Frank Schaeffer to speak at your college, church or group contact him at Frankschaeffer.com Frank Schaeffer is a writer and author of Crazy for God: How I... Read more
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V: Never correct a child about every little thing they do that pisses you off. There will be plenty! Life is annoying! Turning a blind eye to most “bad” things kids do is the secret to good parenting. Bite your tongue! Pick what matters – rudeness for instance or things that will mark your kid as a dolt like picking their nose in public – and let most other annoying things they do slide. Kids do grow out of bad... Read more
Why I Still Talk to Jesus -- In Spite of Everything
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