Should kids be free to choose their own religions or must they be forced to swallow their parents' religions?

Question

Neutral questions are dead ones.

Answer 1

Oh my god, that is a really good question, I think that kids, when they are old enough, should be able to choose their own religion, kind of like the Amish, when they are in their mid teens I think they have what's called a "fling" where they try out all of our technology and stuff and their family doesn't do anything, but if they decide that they don't want to be Amish anymore, the family like shuns them. So except for the shunning part, I think kids should be free to explore, because there are different strokes for different folks.

Answer 2

I never insisted that my children follow the way I believe yet they watched my life and chose to do so. I had a son that went his own way. He chose drugs etc but came full circle and now is a tremendous Christian. I didn't force him. He chose on his own. Parents would be wise if they understood a walk with Jesus is a personal walk not a forced walk. My children were all prodigals, I never stopped loving them or praying for them. I never preached or screamed. I understood all little birds must fly into the wide world and make their own way. If they are loved and cared for like the little angels they are they will always return. Religion is going to a place, building with other people that are of like mind, A walk is just that following the examples that Jesus set for us.

Answer 3

I think they should be free to choose their own religions, however their parents have a duty to provide them with a sound moral foundation as they are growing up. Most parents will do this through religious teachings.

When the child has grown up enough to understand and learn about other religions, I think they should be encouraged to, instead of blindly following a faith.

Answer 4

I think one of the biggest mistakes a parent can do is to force their children to go to church. I think when the kids are very small, obviously the parents will take them to whatever church they belong to, but I think at a certain age, kids should have the choice on rather they want to investigate other religions, or if they want to go to church at all. ( I do want to say that if it was a religion such as Scientology, something I did investigate and learn about, I wouldn't allow my kids to attend. But that's because that is more of a cult then anything else. Again, I'm speaking from my own experiences.)
I don't believe that in order to believe in God, you even have to go to church. Some of the biggest jerks I have met are people that attend church every Sunday and claim to be a real Christian, yet they are incredibly judgmental of others! And then there are people like my husband who believes in God and The Bible, he is honest, loving, charitable. He's a wonderful husband and father...All the stuff that most people think a good Christian should be, but he doesn't go to church. So we tell our kids that they don't have to sit in a building every Sunday to believe in God and to be a good person. That is something you carry everywhere, not just at church!
( And let me make this clear too....I'm not at all saying that if you don't believe in God, that you're a bad person. Everyone has the right to believe in what they want, as long as it doesn't hurt others.)

Answer 5

They should be free to choose their own. My parents are christians and if they found out I'm pagan, they'd have a fit. In my opinion, people should choose a religion that feels right to them, not be forced to follow anyone else's religion.

Answer 6

Children should be allowed to choose. Once they gain enough knowledge on their own they will make their own choice anyways. My mother wasn't thrilled when at 15 I told her I was no longer a chrisitian because I never believed in it but she accepted it. My father wasn't surprised at all. So now I have a Baptist mother, a Methodist father, a Presbyterian brother and a husband who's an Anglican. My mother admits now that she made the right decision not pressuring me to go back to church.

Answer 7

it is the responsibility of the parents to teach about God and Jesus, the most important responsibility a parent has. When a child becomes an adult, then it is theirs. For Christ nor the Father is a religion, but is in fact a personal relationship with them, and it is up to all people after they can truly comprehend this fact to form their own relationship. There is no denomination in heaven, there is no religion above the other, we believe in Jesus Christ, accept Him and His gift of salvation, then we are all members of the same body, which in Ephesians, says is Jesus Christs body.

Answer 8

might desire to a determine enable their 5 year previous to %. a faith? probable not. there isn't something incorrect with coaching little ones your faith. whilst they are older they are in a position to %. wether they like that faith and have faith its teachings. With exception to the cults like the polygamists believe isn't necissarily a foul element and neither is its teachings. it may help supply the small infant a ethical compass and commencing place for teachings the mothers and fathers are already attempting to instill in this childs existence. Its greater handy to make a message sparkling despite if it fairly is coming from greater then in simple terms the mothers and fathers. Its doesnt rely what faith it fairly is or what its teachings are. something that boosts the ethics and morals you desire to teach your infant is to the betterment of that childs training. faith is a close-by that would desire to be own determination for each individual yet giving them a commencing place on a faith is a good element. whilst the newborn reaches 12 or older introduce different religions and teachings and locate out your childs perspectives.

Answer 9

Everyone has free will, but a child usually follows the influence of his/her parents until he reaches an age of understanding. Children are most likely to rebel when it's shoved down their throat. The best example for your children is your own life. If they see you happy and successful and they feel your love, they will usually respect your faith as the truth. It's when they see you live a double life that they will turn away. Of course, there are exceptions, but for the most part, hearing is one thing but seeing it lived out makes it real.

Answer 10

The freedom of choice. My mom is Methodist and my father is a Catholic. I go between the two, but have never chosen one over the other. I should make my own religion, Cathodist.