Dinosaurs & The Bible

My almost 7 year old son is entering second grade, in public school. He spent last year in a Christian School. We recently watched Jurassic Park. He loved it. Of course, he's all about the dinosaurs now.

My wife and I do not regularly attend church. She likes to think she is religious, however I am completely not. I do believe there is a place for religion in our society, but I dont believe in it, other than some of the philosophical issues that are presented. I don't need all the fantasy mumbo-jumbo, but realize that others do.

My son is young enough that after a year of "God created everything" he is starting to ask relevant questions about things. He will recite many of the sayings that they teach, which I see as brainwashing-style methods of introducing religion and a respect for God that you would need to get kids off on the correct religious steps.

When he asks me questions that require a scientific answer, I tell him in general senses the answers that I have, and just dont mention about how God fits into the whole issue. I figure that as time goes on, he will learn enough to make up his own mind about religion, about faith vs. reason.

Sooooo, how do people who believe in the Bible, and that God created everything, explain to their kids the dinosaurs? Do you disregard the Bible, and teach him what science says about them, about how long ago they were, and that they are not in the Bible?

Basically, how do you teach your child about something that has no relationship to religion or scripture?

Richard, good question.

We had a situation that made us pull him unexpectedly out of his kindergarten school, and this Christian, not Catholic (oh, hell no), school was our best option (due to location).

My wife, though I said she wasn't completely religious, has had troubles earlier in her life and going to church helped her out. She believes in the good the church can do, and she says she believes in God, but we rarely ever go to church. Maybe twice in the last 2 years.

And guess what the motivating factor to pull him out of this school was? Money. They were always asking for us to help fund this and that, pay for stuff that we weren't expecting, fees for everything, etc. Became waaay too expensive, especially when you have free school around the corner, which we are already paying for with our taxes.

Right. That's my issue.

Is my son going to be that kid who thinks that everything was created out of whatever/thin air/God's hand while the school (and myself) teaches him the scientific perspective? Or is he in for a rude awakening? When can I start to tell him, "Son, everything you learned in 1st grade is a based on something even the church doesn't literally believe."

Basically, I think that's what I am doing. I'm showing him the other side of things, without bringing the Lord into it. 7 years old is old enough to ask questions, and I am going to allow him the chance to figure it out for himself; to see if he can come to those conclusions himself.

But see, this isn't really about my son. I am fine with how he is handling things, and I have no doubt that since we do not have religion as an important part of our life, that he will be fine (in my eyes, of course). I think what I really wonder, is how do religious folks treat these scientific principles and their children whom they want to believe in God? What happens when the Discovery channel is showing a scientist who studies geology, and is talking about how the earth is millions of years old? Do religious parents keep this kind of stuff away from their kids, in order to avoid the questions that would surely come?