Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Weird religion

We've been reading a book nearly nightly about Passover. It's a great little book that explains the story of Exodus, as well as the symbols used during a Seder. We usually attend at least one, so I figured this year it would make it a little less boring for her if she knew what was going on and why.

I had a little trouble explaining WHY the door is opened for Elijah the Prophet. She insisted that the illustrator did a "Very bad job because you can't see him". I tried to explain that you don't actually see him. Pouring him a glass of wine and opening the door for him is symbolic. She didn't like that answer. I mean, if you're going to open the door, someone better show up.

We've also been talking about Saints Valentine and Patrick. Now, the story of Saint Valentine is a bit more concrete, but Saint Patrick and the Irish snakes? She demanded, "So where are the snakes now? Did he put them on a plane and send them somewhere else?"

I have no answers.

6 comments:

LMP said...

AAAAHHH! Snakes on a plane!

Alec said...

oh Lisa, you totally beat me to it...

Bud Fisher said...

Out of the mouths of babes. Somebody should show. We know better than to waste wine.

Anonymous said...

just give her 8 or 9 years or so and then she'll understand abstract thinking :)

karen said...

Put Seamus in a box, close the top, and ask Lauren if the cat is still in the box, even if she can't see him. Maybe a little Schroedinger will knock some religious understanding into her? If not, my sister's right...you'll just have to wait a few years.

Lady Epiphany said...

@Lisa: Now THAT is funny!

@Dad: She was more annoyed about having to wait for someone who wasn't going to show.

@K, Karen: I would think by the time she is 7 or 8, she'd be capable of that kind of abstract thinking. Seamus in a box is still tangible, though, and the spirit of a long-dead prophet is not.