Should really bad parents deserve respect from their children?

Question

The bible said to respect the parents. But what about abusive parents (sexually, physically), the parents that neglect their children and pursue their own interest? Bad parents that do not love their children, should their children come to them and pay respect?

What if your parents are glamblers, losing money and ask you money for their living?

Answer 1

Since you quoted the Bible, I am inferring that you are a religious man, or one that finds some sense of authority in religious treatise. One's parent(s) should always be respected, but that does NOT mean that they always should be obeyed. In certain situations, when a child finds that obeying his/her parent(s) will do more ill than good, i.e., giving them money so the parent(s) can squander it on games of chance, the child should kindly explain why he/she cannot follow through with the parent's wishes. Nevertheless, the child should in all cases provide for the parents when it comes to shelter, food, clothing, affection, care, and anything else that is not averse to the common good of man. I hope this answer aids you; I bid you farewell.

Answer 2

Look in the end they are your parents so you have to respect them, however, just because you respect them doesn't mean you have to like them or agree with them. What your step-father did is completely wrong, and i personally would refuse to stay in the same house as him. Perhaps rent a house with a few mates if you are a bit older, without cutting all ties with your parents. Work through it all slowly, it may bring up great pain but in the future it will only make you feel more free. Some day at least you may once again beable to trust your step-father and have a normal father-daughter relationship. Everyone deserves respect, but how much you choose to respect them is totally up to the person and the circumstances surrounding the situation. I hope everything works out for the better, good luck. xoxo

Answer 3

there is also a verse that says parents are not to provoke their children to wrath. I have a father who was physically and verbally abusive even up into my early adult hood. I grew up and found the Lord. I have forgiven my father for I know he still does not know Jesus. I respect him as my father. BUT I do not put myself in a place to be abused any longer. I see my dad on special occasions. I send him cards. If there is ever a time I start to feel controlled or uncomfortable I leave.

I give small gifts that have no large $$ value. so he can not sell them for smokes or anything like that. I dont give him cash either. But if he were to call and say I need a gallon of milk then yes- if the phone was getting turned off... oh well I guess he wont be calling me for a while

Answer 4

Children should unconditionally respect their parents. Otherwise the family would collapse which leads to the collapse of the larger society. This does not mean that parents can do wrong. The social institutions will punish those sinful parents. And God will judge them according to His divine Justice.
No religions and no societies establish the judgement of children against their parents.
No one can judge even his enemies, how can he judge his parents.
Only God is the best of all judges.

Answer 5

As an adult, respecting your parents does not require obedience. Respecting someone sometimes means telling them the truth and believing they can get better. There is no condition to this command.

Answer 6

The Bible said for us to respect our parents, and this means regardless if they are good or bad. No clauses are found in the scriptures to point otherwise, except for one "We must obey God as ruler rather than men," (Acts 5:27-9). So, unless our parents are forcing us to sin against God, seeing as to how we are all imperfect and make mistakes, we must still honor our parents, despite our personal misgivings. Anyone can change and repent.

Answer 7

The operative word. . .from the commandment. . .is "honor". . .and it is not exactly the same as respect. . .it is, in fact, a "higher" standard.

Here is what one dictionary says: "to entertain the most exalted thoughts of".

As children, we do not always get the best parents. That said, sometimes parents turn out to be better people to relate to (once we are adults) than when we were younger. . .but for the "memories" and "ideals" we hold closely to our hearts.

But respect and honor does not mean "accept" or "condone"!

Answer 8

I definitly understand what you mean and I am more or less in that situation now but I feel that youhave to answer for your own sins not other peoples and if it says in the Bible to respect your parents than you should

Answer 9

Tough question.

The parents are owed the respect that they deserve.

When/if they are loving and patient, they deserve respect.

When they are abusive and criminal, they deserve to be brought to the authorities for their evil...by family or friends.

Answer 10

The Bible speaks of "respecting your parents in basically 2 places" both the Old and the New Testament. The Old Testament (The Ten Commandments) no longer HAD to be followed at Christs death, since he came to FULFILL THE LAW of the 1st Covenant.

Christ Jesus left us with a 2nd Covenant however, and in it, he said to "respect your parents" and in IT, he meant to do it as a "Christian Family." Not as a family "in the world," but one in the "christian congregation," with God as Head, Christ as head of church, Man and wife as heads of household. This would be understood to be a "loving and wise home."

However, a worldly home would not be, it would be confusing and disruptive, with everyone "doing their own thing." Maybe "touching base" once or twice a week, with no real since of discipline or morality being taught. No sense of heredity or family pride, no pride of neighborhood or friends or even of your religion. There would literally be nothing stopping you from doing anything except yourself.

Do the parents deserve respect? Yes. Do they earn it? No. Do they always get it? No.