Do you think parents are doing an injustice to their children if they don't raise them to know God?

Question

If you don't believe in God, then I guess you would think we are the ones doing the injustice by teaching them Gods word. But I feel that it is my responsibility as a mom and a Christian to raise my children to know and love God, and to encourage them to live their lives as God commands. I

I don't think that someone who is a non-believer could understand my beliefs, but I will try to explain what I mean. I believe that God is the creator of us all and that we are to follow him. If I don't teach my children to believe in God and try to lead them to him, their "blood" is on my hands. I want my children to go to Heaven when they die, and whether you believe the whole Heaven/Hell debate, I do.

Answer 1

Yes. You do them an injustice by not teaching them about God.

I believe this way for a number of reasons. First is that if God doesn't exist, I believe we wouldn't exist. I can't say for sure but "mr. chance" couldn't have come up with a world as suitable as ours for human existence.
The second is that if you don't subscribe to a belief in God then there is nothing or nowhere you can derive hope from. If there's not a purpose for our being here, then there is no hope for a purpose in future existing. Severely limiting yourself to what man can derive from the cosmos is a hopeless endeavor.

When given the option most children take the wrong path until they are wise enough to make decisions for themselves and realize the negative consequences attached to "bad" actions. Teaching them God's principles give them a foundation to succeed. Most religions teach the basics and without the basics we would live in a chaotic society.

I believe that moving away from the basic principles is a primary cause in how chaotic our world is becoming. More and more people are shunning the "old" outdated principles of good living. Those old time-tested principles actually bring about the cohesiveness of family and societies. When they break down, there is nothing left but impulse and emotion which embodies chaotic action.

Answer 2

I'm a Christian... so I believe that I have a responsibility to raise my (future) children in the ways of the Lord. But I can't expect someone who doesn't know the Lord or believe in God to do the same thing.

ie: if a blind man steps on your toe, do you yell at him because he should have known better? no, he didn't know better.

I also think that God gives every person of knowledgeable age a chance to accept Him or deny Him, no matter what he/she is taught growing up. I've met some amazing kids who've been to one sunday school class and know Jesus better than kids who've been going their whole lives. He knows the heart, and eventually it's between just you and Him anyway.

Answer 3

I believe that you should never be the one to introduce anyone to a possible stumbling block in their lives, such as alcohol smoking etc. Because it is usually adults that lead their own children into sin, I don't believe that would be you. Here is a verse that confimrms the feelings that you have as a Christian parent Prov 22:6 The Bible says "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. " Hope this helps with your answer.

Answer 4

We live in a believing world. We do not all worship in the same way, but some form of religious faith is followed by millions of different people all over the world. Naturally, peoples beliefs and faiths affect their attitudes and actions. The history of the worlds different religions has often affected the history of nations themselves. Until we learn to respect each others beliefs, we are always gonna have religious conflicts.

Answer 5

I don't really believe, but I understand. As a mother, it's your responsibility that your children grow up to be loving, morally upright, and whole. If you think rearing them as good Christians is the way, then by all means, do so.

But remember that love is a free act; to love God is a free act. If you believe God gave you freedom, then you would not force your children to believe if they decide later on not to. Only in loving freely can love be whole.

By the way, I just don't understand the traditional image of God as a "commander" and one who punishes us with hell if we "misbehave." If God were truly all powerful, then he would be capable of love and mercy, and suffering with his people. This is the only God that can truly understand, and inspire us to change and go beyond our grief to realize his kingdom on earth. Just a thought.

Answer 6

I would teach my children everything, for if I leave anything out they may come NOT to trust my word.

The biggest failure of all comes when a child lacks trust in their parent's word.

Better they hear it from me than from a stranger.

"I know what the Communist Manifesto is, I read it when I was 13. I know what the Gita is, we have one at home. I know what atheism is about. I've alsor read Darwin's Origin of the Species and Steven Hawkin's A Short History of Time. My parents taught me all that stuff and more!"

Answer 7

I don't have kids. If I did, I wouldn't allow anyone to teach them that a collection of naive myths is true. I couldn't believe such stuff when I was 7 or 8 years old. The Bible has dozens of contradictions and scientific inaccuracies, so no one who is competent in science and logic and uses Reason, not Emotion, believes it. It is such a waste of lives to devote them to beliefs that have no basis in reality. Preachers make money by telling gullible people wild tales about eternal life. Many people are terrified by the idea that death is final. Oh well, there are many escapes from Reality, for it's not popular with immature people. "Religion is the opiate of the masses", said Karl Marx. Sigmund Freud said it was sad that most people would never rise above such nonsense. Dr. Robert S. DeRopps said, "Organized religion is the world's oldest con game".

Answer 8

You should raise your children to know God. One very important thing that I believe a lot of parents forget to do is once the child becomes of age, teach that child how to come to the conclusion that christianity is right for more reasons than just 'because my parents were'. Two excellent sources are www.drdino.com and 'The Case for Christ' book. God bless you and your children

Answer 9

My parents rarely went to church, but through peer pressure I started going in my teens. I even said some hurtful things towards them at that time. In my 20's I didn't go much because of all the hypocrisy I witnessed. As I grew older I became more like my parents, I had earned my cynicism.
Now I research the things that are important to me, as all should.

Answer 10

I don't think it is injustice. Everyone has their own individual way of thinking. And if you insist on Christianity for your children, explain why atheism or other religions are not advisable.