Is it not? You used to believe in God. Now you don't. So somewhere along the line you chose to not believe in God. Since God cannot be disproved (right?) that's a supposition. (Not saying you don't have any evidence to support your belief.) Since God cannot be disproved (right?), it's a supposition. You're bringing it into this thread. I should have said...the OP is assuming the existence of God in her question. I'm here to discuss her question & some possible answers...not to debate the existence of God. [Not that that's not a discussion we could have on another thread. I like discussion as long as it stays civil. :) But see my last comments below...] I mean for the sake of answering her question. Not for life in general. Starting with a particular belief for the sake of answering OP's question in this thread. (See above.) Sorry, that's my fault for not being clearer... Skepticism... You are assuming a lot here. That I blindly believe what my parents taught me as a child, critically examining other belief systems but not my own, finding no evidence to support what I believe (b/c according to you, there is none), turning a blind eye to the myriad of evidence that contradicts my belief system, etc. These are assumptions you are making. I don't have time to address this here. I can assure you that none of the above is true...but that's not something within the realm of this thread. You could start a thread asking Christians whether they have blind faith...or how they respond when they find evidence contradicting their belief system...or whatever. Was going to say...I'll keep my eye out for any other threads you start...but I saw your next post...so see below. You don't see the connection between sin and miracles and whether or not God is still active, less active, hiding, or an illusion - as it pertains to the OP? I see a direct correlation. Without sin, redemption is not necessary. If redemption is unnecessary, a redeemer is unnecessary. If the identified redeemer is in actuality a synchronization of Jewish and Roman mythological stories and characters, rather than a historical god-man sent to offer redemption, it explains why the stories in the bible aren't repeated today. If today's miracles are really events that escape the comprehension or understanding of the individual, it explains why the stories in the bible aren't repeated today. Perhaps there are other explanations. The ones offered so far are not logical or reasonable, and are not even universally acknowledged by Christians themselves. This leaves the explanation, no true scotsman, the only option. As that is a known logical fallacy, it doesn't actually explain anything, it simply rationalizes another blind spot. Exposing and dissecting these blind spots may feel like mockery or disrespectful jabs, but they're not. Pretty much anything is connected to some extent. And when you're talking theology, yes. Definitely intertwined. Today's miracles...you can see that article 6packoffun linked. That's my take on today's miracles. Universally acknowledged by Christians... "Christian" is a terribly broad term. Universal acknowledgment does not denote truth. Presentation of fact/truth itself is not mockery, no. I do believe in sin... I do believe in evil. I don't pretend to have all the answers about this. I don't know of any rationalist who presumes to have all the answers either. But I do have explanations. And what I believe is observable. The evidence is all around me. Just like I have read explanations for why there is *no* sin/evil. I find the evidence for the existence of sin more convincing than the evidence against such an existence. You are welcome to provide me with evidence to support your views about sin/evil. I just don't have the time to put my thoughts together about every facet of my worldview... I can't afford to live at the Hive. :) I usually only join a thread when I have something to contribute, or a question to be answered. But maybe sometime when I have the time I can the start the 'existence of sin' thread for you. :) However, I don't mind ignoring this point (for now or at all). It's my opinion, my observations, and admittedly does jump to the end of the train of thinking. I would start a new thread but people seem to think I'm pulling a bait and switch, or somehow luring them in for some nefarious purpose. People tend to ignore the threads I start, so I won't start one, but I would join one. The concept of sin, what it is understood to be, what it is understood to do, how it impacts our interpretation and reaction of certain events is a fascinating topic for me.

Yes, you said that. But I wasn't mocking. I was addressing all three together, bc they have been used together in this thread (not in the same post, but to express the same argument). *Sigh* If you (or albeto, or anyone else) want to start a thread about whether sin exists, and if the convo is going in an intelligent & civil direction...I might engage. :) This is the parallel: Greek myths are fantastical. Bible stories are fantastical. Greek myths are not true. Bible stories are not true.

Yes. This is why I suggested another thread.

Those three groups (Incan religion, ancient Greek religion, Santa Claus) were the three I remember seeing in this thread. They were each presented to promote the same argument...Christian beliefs parallel this line of thinking, Christians reject this line of thinking as obviously fantastical, therefore Christians should recognize their own beliefs as fantastical. I brought it up only to say that I think this belongs to another thread. Not sure what you mean by techniques... If you read back through the thread, I think you'll find that the posters who brought up each of these groups were not questioning the sincerity of the Incans or ancient Greeks. They were attempting to show Christianity to be fantastical. Okay. Not sure why the mention of pagans then. In context of the original post about Santa, I don't think anyone was thinking about St. Nick. What I said before about a different thread.

Yes, there are parallels between any belief systems. My point is that this is not a thread about the parallels between any belief systems. You are definitely entitled to your own opinion. Do you want to start a thread about the unbelievability (not a word) of Christianity as it parallels other fantastical belief systems? I'm not mocking here, either. Just trying to stay on topic.

Again, this is where we're talking over/past each other. You want to presuppose that there is no god. The point of the thread is to address why God does not speak to us today in the way(s) that He used to. To address this question, I need to presuppose that there is a God. Yes, that involves faith. Not blind faith (I disagree with your dismissal of any reason to believe in the existence of a perfect standard), but again, this is for another thread. This thread was not about the existence of God. It's about radio silence. Cognitive bias. Yes, we all have that to some measure. I'm not ignoring anything. I'm discussing. :) I'm working my way backwards here...will look at your last post later...

I'm not mocking. Sorry that it came across that way. I didn't know what else to call that combo of belief systems...wanted to say religion, but...Santa Claus? Do modern day Pagans believe in Santa Claus??? Someone brought up belief in Santa (as an obviously fantastical idea) as a parallel to Christian belief in the God of the Bible. I think there are clear differences. My point is not to question the sincerity of anyone's beliefs. Only to say that the discussion about the differences between Christianity & these other groups is probably best left to another thread.

Ack! Runaway thread! :willy_nilly: Okay...seriously. I think we've been all over the place. Don't have much time here cuz it's late... (I *finally* purchased TWTM for my very own...and I've been falling in love w/ it all over again tonight. :001_tt1: ) Um...not really wanting to address the bunny trails...I don't think it's going to help us stay on target. But the Bible can say all kinds of funny things when taken out of context. ;) The Incas, Zeus, Santa Claus, etc. I'm seeing this a lot. Maybe someone should start a thread about the differences between Christianity and these...er...other ideas? Not sure what you mean. Either you missed the point of the quote...or you're referencing something else in the article...or we're talking over each other...? What 6packoffun said. (My easy answer to avoid a longer one...cuz it's late. :)) But I really do agree with her. Not upset. :) I didn't get that connection, though... The problem here is our very different worldviews... We're going to end up talking past one another. You see this as illogical, problematic. I'm not "suppressing my curiosity" to take anything by faith. I'm recognizing my limitations as a finite, sinful human being. Would I like some things to be different? Sure. Do I wonder how things would be different if God did _________? Yes. But I'm also not going to kid myself into thinking that I can understand an infinite, holy, sovereign, omniscient, etc. being...much less be in a place to correct His decisions. We should probably save this for another thread... On a last note...before I turn back to school prep for tomorrow...the mocking & all is really unhelpful to the conversation. (Not just you...) Not frustrated (emotionally), just making an observation. It would be fun to continue the convo...hope it's still going tomorrow. :)

Absolutely on track. :) Whining is only going to hamper him later in life (when he gets his first job ;)). My ds whines. Some solutions I've found helpful... 1) Scripture memory. We memorize verses about complaining/joy/contentment, etc. So it's not just me saying "you shouldn't whine." He understands this is what God says. If he's persisting in an issue, I'll have him copy out the verse. Philippians 2:14, I Thessalonians 5:18, and Philippians 4:4 are oft quoted verses in this house. :) 2) Discussion. I give each of my kids 2 "talk times" per week. Ds6 has Saturday & Sunday nights right now. I tuck all of them in, then I get to spend extra snuggle time with him... He gets to talk about anything on his mind, and I get to bring up any burdens/concerns/praise/upcoming events/etc. that needs to be discussed. This has had *huge* ramifications for our school day. I can address issues with him during that time, let him talk about why it's been hard for him to be joyful, explain why his whining negatively affects the family/school day, etc. By the end of our discussion, we are so much closer, and I feel like he's got my heart & I've got his (if that makes sense). I like that this removes the tough convos from the heat of the moment. However you do it, talking things out goes a long way. 3) Alternatives. When the kids are whiny, or fighting, or whatever, I make them do-over. Show me what you should have said. And now how should you have responded, etc. So he gets to practice the right response. Practice makes perfect. ;)

She didn't say "3 miracles". You'll have to reread her post. If the discussion is about radio silence and all, this is a quote from the article 6packoffun linked: (It's about halfway down the article... After this quote, the author discusses the 'why' of the miracles...and addresses other miracles outside of these time periods (Jonah, Daniel, etc.)... Most Biblical miracles happened in three relatively brief periods of Bible history, the days of Moses and Joshua, during the ministries of Elijah and Elisha and thirdly, in the time of Christ and the apostles. None of those periods lasted much more than 100 years. Each of them, each of the three experienced a proliferation of miracles unheard of at other times in God's redemptive history. But even during those three times, miracles were not just normal, every day occurrences that happened to anybody and everybody. The miracles that did happen in the time of Moses and Joshua involved Moses and Joshua. The miracles that happened in the time of Elijah and Elisha happened around the ministries of Elijah and Elisha. And the miracles that happened to Christ and the apostles and through them, happened through their ministries. There weren't just miracles happening all over everywhere to all kinds of people. As to why these things don't happen today... The article points out that the miracles in Scripture are 1) to introduce a new era of revelation, 2) to authenticate the messengers of that revelation, 3) to call attention to the revelation. (It's a long article. I haven't read the whole thing yet...but I'd agree with everything I've read so far.) So...your answer to the lack of people trying to disprove Jesus' existence & miracles...is that He didn't exist? Trying to understand where you're coming from on this... We may have to start a s/o thread if we're going to debate the historicity of Jesus. ;)

:iagree: Yes, this. Double like.

Got it. :) Sorry, I don't have a recommendation, then. We used Saxon K prior to MM...and it prepped my kids just fine...but was pretty teacher intensive. Not a "here's your worksheet, do this while I'm teaching your siblings" kind of curriculum. I had to walk them through the whole thing. It would be harder to do now that I have older ones doing real school. Hope you find what you're looking for!

Have you read this article by the author of the MM series? She gives some basic recommendations for K math. You should be set for MM1A if you cover those objectives.

I like the journal jar idea... For the clubs, is that something you do through a hs group, or a church, or library, or ps? Or do you just start a club of your own? Maybe this would be a better spin-off thread... We're not part of a hs group, and I could see how a club would be ton of fun. I'll have to check out my library...

I think the "radio silence" is better understood when you see the big picture... In the OT, God spoke in an audible voice, and then through the prophets... The OT is setting the stage for something, the central event in the Bible - the life/ministry, death & resurrection of Jesus Christ. So, when Jesus comes to the earth, it's not just another way of God speaking to people... It is the culmination of everything the OT (and the history of the world to that point) was leading to... Now God himself is on the earth in human form. You want to know what God is like? Read about Jesus. His sinless perfection. His unending love. He was not on earth primarily to perform miracles & prove to everyone who He was. His resurrection was the proof. He told the Jews in Matthew 15 when they were looking for a sign (another sign, not like he hadn't already performed dozens of miracles)...trying to trip him up...Jesus tells them, It's a wicked & adulterous generation (His words, not mine) that looks for the kind of sign you're asking for. I'm going to give you proof - but the proof is my resurrection. So...radio silence. No, God doesn't speak in an audible voice today...at least not His primary method of communication. And, no, Jesus is not walking & talking on earth today (at least not physically). But the Holy Spirit is here. And we have God's written Word. And, no, Christians don't all agree about what the Bible says. :) I attribute that to a number of factors... 1) The Holy Spirit is not the only Spirit Being on the planet today... 2) The Holy Spirit can be 'quenched' and 'grieved' by sin in our lives, and so make it difficult or impossible to hear Him, 3) We still have our own free will - and that complicates a whole lot of things... I'm sure I'll have more thoughts as soon as I finish the post... :) All that to say, OP's question is a good question...any "why" question involving God is considered 'deep theological' material in my book. ;) Romans 11:33 - "o the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God...how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out..."

Have there been studies like this about hs'ed children in particular? I could totally be wrong on this...but could it be that the 'leveling off' of early/late readers in the later grades is connected to the type of teaching in B&M schools? The factory-style education model that works kids through a machine, ignoring their strengths & weaknesses, and forcing them to conform to a set standard? Very interesting - and definitely creepy - that mortality risk was higher among those who entered schools earlier.

Thought this might be a helpful February thread to have out there... What are your most successful methods & materials for bringing FUN into school? What do you do that makes your kids enjoy school - and beg for more! I'm looking for some more ideas... Would love to hear what you do! :) I'll start... Math My son likes when we turn an overwhelming array of math problems (used to be word lists) into enemy spaceships or aircraft carriers or whathaveyou. He enjoys 'blowing up' the opposing forces...and saving the world from imminent destruction. ;) For my daughter, the groups of problems represent different castles/towers where beautiful princesses are being held captive. As she rescues each princess, I draw one on her paper, and dd loves seeing the different color/style dresses, hair, etc. :) For fact families (we got this idea from a MM story problem), we pretend "Detective Cole" is trying to save Math City from his arch-nemesis "Lord Problem"... Lord Problem frequently kidnaps members of the math community...and leaves us (and Detective Cole) to figure out which member (number) is missing. We're currently working on a multiplication story...Detective Cole in Math Kingdom... ;) Science If we're having a rough day, a surefire way to cheer everybody up is to take a 'nature walk' for science - I make sure we're actually observing/discussing the world around us...and everyone enjoys the fresh air. :) History If I use playmobil or Legos to 'act out' the history lesson...all eyes are glued...and they don't forget those stories. :) Snack They always perk up when I put food in front of them. :) What about you?

My boys don't play with action figures. :) If you think you'll regret getting rid of something, throw it in a box and put it away - out of sight - like in the basement or garage or wherever you (and the kids) won't see it... Give it a few months. Chances are, you will be so happy with the clean bedrooms and space, you'll never want to go back! And (at least IME) kids play better & are happier with fewer options...as long as they aren't being carted through ToysRUs on a regular basis. ;)

A little behind again. :blush: Playing catch-up here... Thanks, Slache! :) There is nothing so refreshing as sitting down to read God's Word...with the kids in bed...in a warm house with snow all around. :) (Did I mention my kitchen smells like hot chocolate? ;))

Individual pencil cases - and colored Ticonderoga pencils. ;) We're still losing pencils...but at least we know whose are missing. :D We have also gotten a LOT of mileage out of Apples to Apples, Jr. (found at Goodwill for $3).

I think it's up to you. Do you want her to learn to read now? 5-10 min/day won't kill her. As long as you're giving her plenty of time to still be a 5yo... But if you're uncomfortable with making her do something she doesn't want to, don't stress about it. She's got plenty of time to learn. My kids have been early readers so far, but ds didn't have the coordination to write until mid-kindergarten.

I think you can pretty much do whatever you want. :) If you feel like taking a break, go right ahead. You earned it. :) If you want to move on to the next 'grade level', go right ahead... Homeschooler's privilege. ;) Or do a mix. We're schooling through the year (with the exception of June & December)... We're ahead in most 'subjects' so far... We did move on to the next math book, but now we slowed math down to spend more time on fact memorization. I was going to move to the next English book, but we've decided to just do fun stuff with creative writing instead. Since I log hours, I know we're going to easily meet the 180 hr requirement (NYS) - so I don't feel guilty giving the kids extra snow play this week. :) I do think it's wise to keep some flex in your schedule/plan... I want to allow for sick days, 'field trips', outside play, having friends over, etc. :) All that to say... Step back & think about what your goals are for this & future years... What subjects are most important to you? What do you really want to accomplish in math this year? Kids think that math is a blast? Kids are ahead of the curve in math? A mix of the two? Whatever feels best to you, run with it! :)

Well they lifted the 'travel ban'. :) It's drifted in places, but in front of our house there's no more than 4 inches. No more than a foot in the very deepest drifts. I feel bad for all the people who now have to decide whether to go into work after all or not... http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/28/nyregion/new-york-blizzard.html

$300 fine if we get caught on the road (driving) tomorrow. -NYC