My godson Charlie is 9 years of age, and in the past year I have noticed some remarkable changes in him. He has developed firm opinions of his own, which I am pretty sure I didn’t have until much later in life, in fact I think there are still a few issues where I sit on the fence, or profess to have no opinion.
Charlie knows what clothes he likes, (I still dress like a 22 year old post graduate student doing a liberal arts degree). He has a very keen sense of the music he digs, (I have a collection ranging from a Zulu choir to 1930’s French ballads).
He likes Manchester United though he is from London because he likes the way they play, I nominally support Glasgow Celtic because I come from Glasgow and most of my friends were keen supporters. So in my book Charlie has learnt to think for himself, choose his own path and do his own thing. I am expecting great things of Charlie.
About three months ago when I was having supper with his parents and brother and sister, I casually mentioned in passing, God for some reason, it was not in relation to religion, spirituality or indeed about faith, just the word came up in conversation. Charlie remarked, "I don't believe in God". "Really?" I said, "Why not?" as I was curious as to his logic. Before he replied his sister Rachel remarked, "I think it is just a story, I don't believe in God, I think it is silly".
I have had many people over the years share their faith or atheism with me, and ultimately it is a personal matter. It is only important to the individual and as long as they don't try to force upon you their way as the only way, then what they believe is fine. I have seen too many children influenced by their parents into not thinking for themselves, into accepting without questioning, what their parents believe.
I met up with Charlie recently in Spain where he was on holiday with his family. I jokingly asked him if he believed in God since we last spoke. He said with the same casual manner that he didn’t believe in God, to which I then asked, "Well what do you believe Charlie?" He looked somewhat bemused, and I was not posing the question as a deep philosophical puzzle to confuse him. He didn’t have an answer, so I told him that we all believe in something, and it is good to find out what that something is. He gave me a wonderful look, as though to say 'Hey give me a break I am only 9!'
I am sure in the future he will tell me and I look forward to hearing what he has to say, because I expect great things of Charlie.
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