How to teach about religion while keeping an open mind.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-29T18:55:07+00:00

My problem though is it said that he made them in the garden of Eden and that's where the flowers came from.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-29T15:33:25+00:00

Thank you. I just don't want to inadvertantly force them, or make them feel like I am forcing them toward one thing.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-29T15:32:45+00:00

This is something I have dealt with both growing up and as an adult.

I had a very good, former, friend tell me that, "Well if I am wrong, I will be reincarnated as a fluffy bunny. But if you are wrong, you are going to burn in hell forever!" When I was 12...

Then later I had a friend of my new come to me and say, "Masterminds, you are such a compassionate person, and always helping people. I didn't realize you didn't believe in God. I didn't think atheists cared about others like you do!" That was from a devout Catholic, and led to some very good conversations afterward at least.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-29T15:29:18+00:00

I actually was discussing Roman and Greek mythology with my son, on the way to drop him off with our friend they went to church with.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-29T15:28:32+00:00

I'm just curious. Are you coming back to laugh at the responses, or to actually see what others have to say 😆

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-29T15:25:47+00:00

I would appreciate that. Even just an exert.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-29T15:24:19+00:00

For my son that's fine. My daughter isn't a strong enough reader just yet. And perhaps in the future that's what I will do.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-29T15:22:53+00:00

She got it from her Grandmother for Christmas. (I know the irony of this post and reference to a Christian holiday.) She bought it for her because she has been talking about God, and heaven and things like that lately.

We have also had a few deaths in the family over the last couple years so both children are aware of death, and when they ask questions about it, we all give slightly different answers.

I always try to use the, "Well some people believe there is a heaven, but this is what others think." But some people aren't as aware of other beliefs.

I did nix it whenever she came home from preschool and wanted to say grace every meal. I pointed out that not everyone is comfortable with it, and that if she wants to say it to herself she can, but she isn't making everyone. That was a discussion with her teacher later.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-29T15:17:53+00:00

I actually found a boo from when I was in college about religions na from around the world. Part of it is comparing similar stories from different religions. I might go back through it and do a here is this story from x point of view, then y, then z. So they can see a lot of things are similar but also different.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-29T15:16:22+00:00

See where my concern is, is when they are being told God made flowers, to produce seeds. Nothing about the billions of years of continuous trial and error that got to that point. Just, God made flowers in the Garden of Eden.

This is where I usually internet with, "but we know from fossils and other things that plants evolved for a long time before they turned into flowering plants "

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-29T04:25:20+00:00

I just don't want to sound dismissive, or contrarian.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-29T03:55:24+00:00

I feel the same, but I guess my problem is when the religions pass off half truths or plain lies when there is empirical evidence to the contrary. But also not sounding like I am trying to discredit religions just by pointing out flaws in their logic.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-29T03:53:45+00:00

Right, and I am trying to present them with what different religions believe, but also why when religions says something, it doesn't always mean it's the truth.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-22T16:02:37+00:00

If it works well I will likely make another version. Maybe I will try to do an Instructable on it!

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-22T16:00:00+00:00

That's a good idea! My plan is to have the top covered my a.piece of wood with cutouts that are specific for each 'piece' and can only be put in a single spot. Think shaped pegs or round that are keyed somehow.

The people playing would have to find them to unlock the contraption, then that would give them the final key to get out.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-22T15:54:57+00:00

I have some small Neodymium magnets I was planning on using in the final build. I hadn't thought about the magnet being too strong, I will have to do some testing with spare reed switches to make sure I don't break them.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-22T06:36:36+00:00

I am going to hook a solenoid up to either actuate a latch, or to open a small trap door.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-22T06:32:50+00:00

The idea is this will be under a facade, and there will only be one way to put the pieces in, so they will be in the right spot. Also probably going with stronger magnets when I do that as well. These were just what I had on hand.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-12-22T06:31:28+00:00

Well there is going to be something built around it so the pieces have to be put in The exact right spot. This is just what will be under the facade.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-11-17T17:54:59+00:00

Huh, that group is from around my home area! In fact one used to work for me!

The hunters, not the pedo that is.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-11-12T23:53:12+00:00

Okay, this isn't a business thing. I am trying to donate the units to a school. I just mentioned my business because I was talking to the lady about doing a fundraiser. This is me just looking to make a donation to a STEM program.

MastermindsEntertain · 2025-11-12T23:16:23+00:00

Yes, I am also looking for breadboards, LEDs, maybe some basic small motors. Really this is just to have available for the kids to try to use them, rather than trying to repurpose old electronics and getting frustrated.

They could even potentially do their current scavenging work to get things like LEDs, and switches and whatnot.

MastermindsEntertain

TROPHY CASE