She says everyone else believes in God, heaven, etc. She has arguments with classmates about God's existence. She comes home frustrated from these exchanges. She gets along with kids well in all other ways. She attends public school just outside the city in a blue state (if that matters). We will let her choose her own religion when she's older. She doesn't understand why no one thinks the way she does.
2006-07-20 08:12:15 · 22 answers · asked by myob50 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
We are also raising our children agnostic, ages 5 and 7. We live in a very catholic area, as well. What we have done is expose them to a lot of different beliefs and mythologies. We have discussed the stories of the bible as well as greek and roman mythologies, eastern philosophy, wiccan, and ancient tales from samaria, etc. You get the picture. This hasn't happened much to my son (5), but my daughter has gotten into discussions with friends about god and heaven, etc. When friends say "Why don't you believe in god, heaven, whatever" she says "there are lots of gods, afterlives, churches, religions, etc and I can choose when I'm ready." A good one has been "if you don't go to church you will go to hell" to which she has replied "I can't go to hell if I don't believe in it". I think what helped her is knowing that 'everyone' doesn't believe just one way, even if it seems like it. We have also discussed what is history vs. religion. And the difference between being religious and being spiritual. Way to go on raising your daughter to have REAL freedom of religion. PS--very cool dog.
2006-07-20 13:29:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
well I would explain to your daughter that there are lots of different kinds of people and cultures all around the world. Maybe explain why religion was created by cultures... ie.. to explain life and death...to explain creation. Some cultures even turn their ancestors into their God for protection from evil and bad luck.
Not everybody has to believe in the same thing. Anyone who tells her otherwise has been brought up to be ethnocentric.. It's their way or no way which I personally do not believe is the right way to bring up a kid. I would tell her to take her time and make up her own mind about whether she feels in her heart and soul her own opinions about God and let everyone else argue it out amongst themselves.
2006-07-20 15:18:27 · answer #2 · answered by Ms_E_Bunny 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The way you raise her is probably how she will grow up, at least I think so. She might not. But, I grew up with a Christian family in a agnostic home...
I think you should talk to her, and listen to her. And if she wants to know about relgion, teach her. Or let her read the religious writings. So many things get quoted out of context, so read on it before you tell her! :) Though, the bible espcially is hard to understand. So if she wants to learn about the bible, she might need help. (By the way, I'm not pushing you to make her read it. I read parts of certain books of the bible and i'm not christian)
But Christian parents believe in God strongly, and are probably telling their children that it's wrong and sinful not to believe. And at 6 years old, children are going to beleive their parents above all else... Plus How many six year olds do you know that can 'debate', instead of argue and fight? Maybe she should avoid this subject with people. I'm not saying lie about her relgious/non-relgious belifes. But grown-ups avoid this subject to avoid arguments, don't they? So this might be the best option for her too.
2006-07-21 15:03:36 · answer #3 · answered by sasami002 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Saying you are "letting her choose her own religion when she is older" is crap. How is she going to choose something if she has had no exposure. You are bailing out on this one. I know, my brother did the same thing. His son started going to church with a classmate and became a Catholic. His girls have no idea what they should be because they haven't had any experience. If you truely want to let her choose, you need to expose her to various faiths but I don't think a 6 year old can really understand what it is all about. They are, for the most part, just parroting what their parents teach them. And one writer is is correct, why is she discussing religion at school? Why not solve the whole thing by telling her to say: My mom has told me that school isn't the appropriate place for this discussion. That should be all that is needed.
2006-07-21 23:36:12 · answer #4 · answered by wolfmusic 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You've got a bright child there who will probably grow up to either be a great debater or a politician!
I'd sit her down and gently explain that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs just as she is entitled to her beliefs. What will be the hardest thing to grasp at her age is that her friends don't always have to agree with her and she has to learn that there are some issues (such as religion) that she shouldn't really speak about in public in case she brings troublesome attention to herself. You have to be patient and explain that there are some things she should only really talk about within the family and talking about God might upset her friends if she says He doesn't exist. But if this is something she has to get out (I get the feeling she is several years ahead of her friends in terms of enjoying a debate), perhaps you and other family members can engage her in what she wants to discuss.
2006-07-20 16:19:30 · answer #5 · answered by starchilde5 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
teach her to be tolerant of other peoples views. Why should she expect everyone to think the same way as her. My kids are 7 and they are Christians but they understand some people believe in other Gods and there are people (their Aunty) who don't believe in God. They are tolerant to all peoples views and beliefs and I am proud of them. This is why the world is going to hell (not THE literal hell) because so many people are intolerant to others beliefs. Teach her their is no RIGHT thing to believe and to accept people no matter what. She will be a better person for it
2006-07-21 04:46:47 · answer #6 · answered by Rachel 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I made a choice when I was 6 years old to become a christian, so don't tell her she has to wait to make a decision. Find simple books and stuff, which help explain both sides of the argument to her, and then she might begin to see why things are so different.
2006-07-21 09:27:03 · answer #7 · answered by urMERCYtaughtushow2dance 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Compare her religious heritage (your own view) and her frustration to something she can grasp. Talk about being different in a positive or at worst neutral way. Think of all the ways kids in her class are different -- height, shape, skin color, religion, etc.
2006-07-21 09:06:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Believe it or not, a 6 year old is old enough to choose her own religion. I'm not being judgmental, but I think it's really sad that you don't let your child (and yourself) know the love of God.
2006-07-21 16:44:22 · answer #9 · answered by just4funyall 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Let her know that people believe different things, and should all be entitled to their beliefs. It's pointless to argue with someone about their religious beliefs; it's not going to change anybody's mind.
Maybe give her some simple phrases to use, like "it's OK, we just believe different things."
2006-07-20 15:17:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋