If and When you have children, what will you teach them about religion? Will you tell them that your beliefs are correct and all others are wrong? Will you encourage them to explore different religions in order to find the one that suits their beliefs? Will you make them go to church every Sunday?
Personally I am agnostic but I do not plan on pushing my beliefs on my children. I will encourage my children to research all world religions and make their own decision based on what rings true in their hearts and minds.
I have strong convictions however I personally do not believe in parents pushing their beliefs on their children. To me, choice of religion is a decision that should be make by an individual.
If a child is raised in a Christian church (for example) and that is all they every know, of course that is what they will believe because they know nothing else.
2006-09-20 03:46:21 · 37 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If a child is raised in a Christian church (for example) and that is all they ever* know, of course that is what they will believe because they know nothing else. I do not personally agree with this method. I am not attacking Christians or anyone else for how they raise their children, I am simply interested in other's points of view. I believe children should be knowledgable about different religions before deciding which one is the 'only truth'.
2006-09-20 03:49:11 · update #1
More Than a Hat Rack - I stated that I am not attacking anyone with this question, however you make a personal attack against agnostics. I do not belive in God however that does not make me an atheist. You need to find out what Agnostic means before you judge. I was raised Catholic, thank you.
2006-09-20 03:53:40 · update #2
I will teach them that they have the freedom and independence to make up their own minds, that they should respect people who make different choices about what they believe but that they should not let such people pressurise them into changing their views.
I will teach them that in return people who have chosen a set of religious beliefs should respect other peoples' choices and that they are not very nice people if they don't.
I shall tell them that my choice is not to believe in a God and that anyone who tells me that because of that I'm a sinner, going to hell or somehow a bad person is a fool who is so wrapped up in his own dogma that he is incapable of rational and open thought and should therefore be politely ignored.
2006-09-20 03:49:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I will teach my children that all religion are man-made. Man invented religion NOT God and that is why there are so many problems among the different religions. Just look at all the different denominations under Christianity.
A child should be taught there is only one God who created ALL things. There is non like Him and non can compare. Therefore he/she should obey ALL THE LAWS of God and follow His guidance. I will also teach my child that God created him for God and not for him/herself. That is why we as human beings have no control over our lives. We may think we do but we don't.
Ask youself a few questions like the following ones and you will see that you have no control over your lives: Are you going to make it back home in the evening after work? or will you get into an accident or die or be kidnapped before you get there. Can you be certain that you will be chosen for that job? Maybe your friend will get it. How about that big party or wedding you plan to attend. Are you sure it is going to come-off? Questions like these help us to see that we have no control over our lives. Therefore teach your children that ONLY GOD is in control. ALL the time.
Saltbread
2006-09-20 04:29:31 · answer #2 · answered by Saltbread 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wonderful question.
I'm a Humanist, and my grandchildren are learning about the various religions practiced in our area by helping to feed and clothe those in need through Interfaith Alliance. They see Muslims working alongside Episcopalians and Wiccans every month. I have tried to explain as much about the individual beliefs of these faiths as I am able--the kinds of things Unitarian Universalist children are taught in religious education classes,--and encourage them to ask questions of the actual practitioners. I want them to know enough about the religions of the world so that they feel comfortable conversing with people of various faiths and understand where they're coming from. I teach them that one's faith or moral philosophy is a deeply personal thing and each individual has the right to choose his own path. I try to instill in them a respect for diversity and personal choice.
2006-09-20 04:32:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
any parent (including urself) gets to the point when he's aware that kids have to be educated, cause if parents don't educate them, someone else certainly will. the thing is some realize this too late.
if u r an agnostinc and ur children will become intolerant christians, i don't think that will make u feel any better.
any parent has the right and resposability to educate their children and since religion is a matter of education and principles, caring parents are encouraged to take their time and teach them those sort of things. as a parent u r older and more experienced then them. if u don't teach them others certainly will. (their unexperienced friends, for example)
i personaly think that one of the many reasons things go so bad today is that people often neglect their resposability that they have as parrents.
2006-09-20 04:04:57 · answer #4 · answered by James Blond 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think the last paragraph of your enquiry has answered your question.
Myself raised in Karachi, Pakistan where almost 99% populations were Muslims, I had no real exposure to the other religions, except for what we got through our School curriculum for religion.
Since our religion Islam recognizes almost all the preacher who had their mention in Qur'an (like Moses - Torah, Jesus - Bible, Muhammad (pbuh) - Qur’an etc., we believe that religion were successive events happened right from Adam and Islam is the last religion in that order.
So, our conviction is that we are now the 'true believer'. Therefore, it is natural for our children to follow Islam.
2006-09-20 03:59:54 · answer #5 · answered by Hafiz 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Skeptics and agnostics create a void in the realm of Morality. Which brings people to Religion, unfortunately.
Either be an Atheist and claim no God , or be a theist. Old saying: Scratch an Agnostic and find a Christian. You can't claim to not no something about something that doesn't exist.
Your children will observe you and move in the direction you make apealling.
2006-09-20 03:52:47 · answer #6 · answered by Real Friend 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I will teach my children to think critically and explore all things for the truth, but I have good, strong, historical and logical reasons for believing what I believe. I will give these truths to him. I would no more deny my son the knowledge I have gained on religion than I would the knowledge I have gained on nutrition or health care.
2006-09-20 03:54:43 · answer #7 · answered by Sifu Shaun 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You said:
"If a child is raised in a Christian church (for example) and that is all they every know, of course that is what they will believe because they know nothing else."
Because as I am sure we all know from personal experience, someone raised in the Church never leaves the church...
If you teach someone to believe what "rings true to their heart" - you ARE teaching the underlying assumption that there is no truth, and whatever you feel like believing is fine.
One shouldn't join a religion because it "suits their beliefs" or "feels right" but because they are convinced that it is real and accurate and true. If you believe a religion because it suits what you already believed, all you really believe in is a product of your own mind...
2006-09-20 03:51:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
I will always give my children their own choice on the matter. I want them to know that what ever they believe will be OK. No matter what. The choice is theirs, they will live with it always. Why some would force it on their children, I don't know, but I know it puts strain on their relationship with their children. I know people like that, and the elder kids are dieing to express themselves,but the are forced to wear uniform like clothing all the time. They weren't given a choice, and now they feel trapped. I don't want that for my son at all.
2006-09-20 03:54:06 · answer #9 · answered by Jenny 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would study all religions with my "nephews" It is their choice, But I would point out all the flaws and how it is not okay to beat their wives, have slaves, stoned someone to death because they work the Sabbath...I would tell them All Gods are imaginary, including Zeus and the world would be a much happier place if it weren't socially acceptable to create laws and wars based on something that is Imaginary..or in your case may or may not be there.
2006-09-20 03:52:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋