How you had any Christian apologetics training? Have you ever sent your children?

Not formally, but our youth group does some of this as well as our college/career class.

Why is it called 'appologetics'?

Christian apologetics (from Greek ἀπολογία, "speaking in defense") is a field of Christian theology that aims to present a rational basis for the Christian faith, defend the faith against objections, and expose the perceived flaws of other world views.[1] Christian apologetics has taken many forms over the centuries, starting with Paul the Apostle, including writers such as Origen and Augustine of Hippo, and continuing currently with the modern Christian community through the efforts of many authors in various Christian traditions such as G.K.Chesterton and C. S. Lewis. Apologists have based their defense of Christianity on historical evidence, philosophical arguments, scientific investigation, and arguments from other disciplines. "Christian polemics" is a term used for apologetics which primarily criticizes or attacks other belief systems.[2]

I have never had any specific training.

This has always been my natural writing style in Religious Debate. I never knew I was doing it until this year.

Veronica

You do know that an Atheist can most of the time come up with an argument for anything an Apologist comes up with it, right? 

 

You do know that an Atheist can most of the time come up with an argument for anything an Apologist comes up with it, right? /IhartU

Yes.

In fact it might interest you to know that when I was doing my research I found an identical definition to those given above under About.Com-Atheism and Agnosticism.

Veronica

i guess...i took a course in college (Sr. Bible) that was basically "this is what we believe & how to defend it against the world". i also had to take a philosophy class that was essentially "why the philosophers of old were wrong about Christianity".

i didnt take any courses that focused on disproving other faiths tho.

To me, my belief is personal and I have nothing to "defend". I'm also college educated and it didn't change my view. I guess it depends on how strong your belief is to begin with.

I don't think there's any place for religion classes in a non religion based school either. If you want to study religion, you should be at a Christian college that specializes in those studies. Just my opinion