Should teens be required to attend weekly religious service with family, if they don't believe?

Answer 1

Wow, what a great question.

I think that teens should attend to some religious or meditative practice, and THAT should be required of them.

If the teen hates church and doesn't believe, then ok. It's not for the parents to force a particular doctrine at a person. That's never what any religion wants for its adherents - if you read them right (which a lot of people don't).

But the idea of weekly practice is an important aspect to development, and it's there that parents can draw the line.

Take up karate, or buddhist meditation, or firewalking. Whatever the practice, it must be weekly and it must teach a person to rise above the everyday reality of life to a higher consciousness.

Andy

Answer 2

Having worked with Catholic teens who often would rather not go to church, I can understand how this is a prickly issue. I think it needs to be worked out on a case-by-case basis.

No, I don't like forcing anyone to attend an event that they don't believe in. I think it disrespects that person's beliefs and it can be almost insulting to those in attendance who do believe. But at the same time, we are talking about a parent's responsibility to his or her children. Part of a parent's job is to raise children to be good people and many parents do this in the context of bringing their children up in a religious setting. Teens are in the wonderful position of being able to think for them selves and start having opinions and beliefs that are truly their own, and that has to be respected. At the same time, while a teen is still under the guardianship of his or her parents, those parents wouldn't be doing their job if they did not keep up the "moral/religious/spiritual" education of their children.

Teens who are in this situation - yes, this can suck. Yes, church can be worse than taking a final you haven't studied for. But your parents are most likely requiring you to attend with them in order to give you structure. Remember them making you veggies when you didn't want to? In a way, it's the same thing.

Parents who are in this situation - It must be hard to see your little babies growing up and turning into adults. And I know some of you think that if your children don't follow your religion that either you have screwed up or that they are somehow "bad" people. Neither one is true. You are doing your part; it is now time for them to "try out the world" on their own.

My suggestion to families in this situation is to have a very open and honest talk about what's going on. No yelling, no blame, no guilt. Maybe a compromise can be reached. At the very least, I think it's important that both sides know where the other is coming from.

Answer 3

I answered a question a while ago about the difference in our intelligence between the age of 12 and now. I am 30 now and I see a great difference. Your parents know better even if u are a teenager or 18+ your parents know better. I can assure u that what u feel now will not be the same way u will feel in 10 years time. For my country children are not free from their parents hold from 18 and I think that is right. Even at 18 u are possibly naive and know little of life here on earth and hereafter. Consider urself as blind and needing guidiance and be grateful u have parents to guide you. It will really do u good.Whatever ur religion or that of your parents I pray you find the true Way; Jesus the only Son of God and follow it even from now. I wish you the best in life and I am sure thats what ur parents wish for you too. There is a way that seems right to man but the end of that is destruction.
I feel it is right for parents to teach their kids the right way from very early childhood to teenage. By teenage, a child shd still walk in the steps of his/her parents!

Answer 4

Yes. As long as they live with their families they are subject to the authority of their families, like it or not. When they are adults and move away from home and support themselves financially, they get to make their own choices of whether to attend a service or not, and which service they choose to attend if they so decide. Until then, they go with parents. They still have the choice to believe or not to believe.

Answer 5

Yes, because it's also about being with your family, and not living an isolated life off in your own little world. It's about conforming because you're NOT an adult out on your own yet, making your decisions. It's called "structure", something quite a few teens are lacking in their lives. Sure, it would be nice and more meaningful if you did believe, but even if you don't, you should go and be with your family.

Answer 6

I see the place you're getting at. the situation is there is actual no longer something incorrect in going to centers in case you do no longer have confidence in it. in keeping with possibility your recommendations basically needs to stay with the aid of fact it feels gentle, considering you have been doing this for an prolonged time. the situation approximately Christmas and Easter, i be responsive to individuals who're no longer atheists and fairly basically rejoice Christmas for the sake of it being a trip. Why do no longer you are trying exploring new religions and notice what you locate. this is my very own opinion with the aid of fact i come across it unusual how human beings do no longer have confidence in something do no longer you ever ask your self how this finished international got here into variety and how life began. until you opt for for to look at it the technological know-how way. your decision wish I helped out

Answer 7

Your family is trying to do what they think is right for you. Unfortunately, if you are already decided against it, not much of what they say or do will change your mind.

However, don't make the decision permanent. Give yourself time to rethink it later. That's what I did anyway. And when the decision is yours and is from your heart, you'll stick to it. But if your religion is forced on you, as a teen you're naturally going to reject it. Talk to your parents.

Answer 8

You shouldn't be required to do anything that you don't care for. Now don't tell the folks you don't believe because that'll get you into deep dodo...Just say you don't want to go...make up stories about having commitments with friends to study (I'd stick with studying because they'll object to having fun on Sunday). I'd also say you want to explore other faiths and maybe go to Chruch with a friend instead of your parents. Don't be afraid...FEAR NOT!

I am not pushing you to convert, but I think you sound like you'd make a good Unitarian Universalist so I think you should check us out and see what your thoughts are...go to WWW.UUA.ORG and see what it's like to have a religion that's guilt free! PEACE!

Answer 9

Yes... the Bible teaches that parents have a duty to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord...... and children are to obey their parents.... so if your parents go as a family, and they expect you to attend (which they are commanded to do by God) then you are expected to go. Think of it this way if you're a teen - even if you don't believe, if your parents do, they have a responsibility to bring you and you should go out of respect for their beliefs.

Answer 10

To force a child to believe is to stand in the way of letting them find a true and fulfilling spirituality. To answer your question with plain language: No. That is stunting spiritual growth, and that is much worse than believing in a different denomination, or even atheism.