Do You Know Where Your Children Are - 2

You won't believe what Noman did on the Saturday night before Palm Sunday, the evening following the final performance of  "Mystery At Shady Acres" (see Do You Know Where Your Children Are - 1, 4/18/11).  He served with a half-dozen other parents as a judge at an apologetics "trial" for roughly 20 teens (ages 14-18).   That's right.  A score of teens (and another dozen children of all ages who played or watched) got together on a Saturday night to debate the great apologetic themes of the past several centuries: e.g., veneration of Mary, the primacy of Peter, sola scriptura, the real presence, prayer to saints--not necessarily in that order.

Here's how it works.  Teens were split into three teams.  One team carried the burden of defending a dogma, e.g., the real presence.  It was given 15 minutes to caucus and confer on Church teaching using scripture, study guides, members of the judiciary or what have you.  One team "prosecuted" by challenging/attacking the dogma.  It also prepared its line of questioning for 15 minutes.  The third team served as a jury, which deliberated after the trial and came to a verdict as to how two points were to be divided between the two teams (2-0, 1-1, or 0-2).  The parents were the judges, who could intervene during questioning, preparation, etc.  If the defense was stumped during examination, it could call for a two minute recess to confer.  

Each team took a turn at each of the three tasks, defending, prosecuting and jurying.  One round took 45-60 minutes, and the team with the most points at the end of three rounds was declared the winner.  Noman was extremely impressed with the teens, who were into it, and great.  Altogether, it was a most enjoyable evening of family entertainment, and he is thankful to have been involved in such a wonderful event.  He is also thankful to have friends who initiate and participate in this sort of pastime.  This is the way things are supposed to work, especially for the teens, not the anomic and estranged life that passes for the fate of television and movie teens.  He heartily recommends your trying it with a group of friends in your community.