Now That We're A Family

438: How Much Evil Should We Expose Our Kids To?

Oct 23, 2025
The hosts delve into the role of scary stories in childhood, discussing how they help shape moral understanding. They explore the importance of exposing children to the realities of evil without desensitizing them. By understanding villains, kids can grasp the heroism of Christ and the nuances of sin. They argue for reading original literature to maintain intrigue and context. There's a critique of modern storytelling that abstracts real evils. Ultimately, the goal is to equip children with a moral compass rooted in biblical truths.
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INSIGHT

Measured Exposure Builds Moral Immunity

  • Exposing children to evil in measured ways helps equip them to recognize and combat it later in life.
  • The harm comes from explicit, visceral portrayals that invite unhealthy meditation, not from awareness itself.
ADVICE

Prefer Source Texts Over Only Abridgements

  • Read source texts like the Bible and classic literature directly rather than only abridged children's versions.
  • Let children take what they can from the text and defer deeper context until they're ready.
INSIGHT

Darkness Reveals The Need For Redemption

  • Darkness in story highlights God's radiance and makes the need for a savior intelligible.
  • Without the fall and its consequences, the redemption narrative loses meaning.
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