Symbolism is engraven images. They are all symbols of this world -- none of them are righteous or evil. Only what you have in your heart can be righteous. Go plant an apple tree knowing you may never eat from it yourself but knowing that some day, that apple tree will feed someone that is hungry.
That actual apple tree is a symbol that would please God. Not nearly as much as what is in your heart, but it would. As soon as you draw a picture of it though, that picture is just an engraven image. It's not the apple tree. It is not Love. It feeds no one but the ego of someone trying to wear symbolic virtue for social advantage.
Does that make sense?
That being said, it's best not to be too serious about heavy ideas with children. If it's a symbol of peace to a child then it's a symbol of peace. Symbols aren't evil, they're just placeholders for ideas.
Don't let a t-shirt logo be a replacement for planting apple trees is all I am saying. We want our kids to be goofy and laugh and not fear silly things.
I think my actions have been doing this (your last sentence about letting her be a kid) by letting her wear unicorns and rainbows and peace symbols without controversy/discussion in front of her. It's hard sometimes. Grandma visits and always turns the conversation to the latest politics while she's in the room, and I have to try and nip it.
I like this part you wrote and I will need to work on this for myself:
"It feeds no one but the ego of someone trying to wear symbolic virtue for social advantage."
Symbolism is engraven images. They are all symbols of this world -- none of them are righteous or evil. Only what you have in your heart can be righteous. Go plant an apple tree knowing you may never eat from it yourself but knowing that some day, that apple tree will feed someone that is hungry.
That actual apple tree is a symbol that would please God. Not nearly as much as what is in your heart, but it would. As soon as you draw a picture of it though, that picture is just an engraven image. It's not the apple tree. It is not Love. It feeds no one but the ego of someone trying to wear symbolic virtue for social advantage.
Does that make sense?
That being said, it's best not to be too serious about heavy ideas with children. If it's a symbol of peace to a child then it's a symbol of peace. Symbols aren't evil, they're just placeholders for ideas.
Don't let a t-shirt logo be a replacement for planting apple trees is all I am saying. We want our kids to be goofy and laugh and not fear silly things.
Nice.
I think my actions have been doing this (your last sentence about letting her be a kid) by letting her wear unicorns and rainbows and peace symbols without controversy/discussion in front of her. It's hard sometimes. Grandma visits and always turns the conversation to the latest politics while she's in the room, and I have to try and nip it.
I like this part you wrote and I will need to work on this for myself:
"It feeds no one but the ego of someone trying to wear symbolic virtue for social advantage."