What should I teach my daughter about religion ?

Question

I have a 3 year old daughter and am starting to wonder when and what I should be teaching her about religion. I was not raised in a religious family, yet my parents let me go to sunday school and a catholic school to form my own beliefs. I don't believe in anything the bible says, but I think my daughter has a right to make her own mind up about it ?

Yes mere mortal, I mean all religions, I dont practise any religion, so not sure where to start!

Basically I want her to be aware of everything. I want to educate her, but not force ANYTHING on her.

well pink, just because I dont believe in something doesnt mean my daughter shouldnt be learning about it right? Just because something doesnt give me comfort doesnt mean she wont find something of value in it.

My parents didn't make a mistake with me Minister. They allowed me to make my own choices and now I am a very open minded person. Hence my question about my daughter!

Answer 1

You shouldn't teach her anything. Give her absolute freedom to go to church if she wants, let her meet honest believers (which is inevitable, anyway). Don't turn religion into a bad thing for her. And I'm sure she will grow up an open-minded person.

You see, teachers and parents should give up from the very beginning our pretences of objectivity and absolute open-mindedness. All we can provide our students/children is honesty as to where we stand about things, and reliable sources for everything we are not able to give them.

BTW, your concern about this, makes me think you're doing a terrific work on your child. Don't worry. Bad parents are those who don't even bother to care about this. Not those who make honest mistakes.

Answer 2

I think that you will find your child eventually comes home asking you about God because they hear about it from other kids. Most of the little girls I know seem to start asking about god at around 7 even with no religious info. Unfortunately with that approach she hears someone else's beliefs first.

I try to explain this kind of stuff to my kids as it comes along. Even when they were small I would explain to them "Today is Martin Luther King's birthday" or Christmas or Kwanza or Yule and just tell them a little bit about it. I don't really subscribe to any religion but I tell them Christians celebrate the birth of Christ on that day, while others celebrate Santa and the joy of giving, and the Jewish people enjoy the night clubs!

Now if they have a question I explain to them the truth of the matter (as it is in my mind "Well this is what I think...") and how various other people see it. I mean there are a lot of perspectives - and though they won't understand everything thing young, they are learning that I am happy to talk to them about it and answer questions in a fair and even manner (I hope!).

Peace!

Answer 3

I would like to tell you a story. It is about a gardener who wanted to plant something, something that reflects his/her values.

The gardener select an area, remove everything that grows, put top soil, and then waited until harvest to see what was there?

What do you think he found? Everything. Some he intended, some he did not.

Let me use a casual term defining religion., "it is a way of life". Everyone has a religion, some fit in well with organized churches. What are your values that help you on your journey?

That is your starting point. How you live your life will be what is planted in a child, a fresh flower bed like the gardener's.

I hope you enjoyed the story.

One personal note: I wanted my daughter to find her own belief, I never thought it would be atheism.

Answer 4

Religion isnt something that can be taught...it is a way of life for believers... What I learned when I was young, is what my parents practiced in the home.... if there is no example to gain examples from, chances are, she will form an outlook on religion the same as you have.... I am a Christian woman...and my walk with the Lord is very Personal. It is something just between he and I. So her choice will come to her from personal acts. Just as your have... the worst thing a parent could do is sway their child to do/believe like them...You are on the right path in wanting her to accept her own fate.... But i pleed with you to have an open mind to the word of God.... You will truely be blessed and richly awarded if you accept the Lord Jesus.... But that isnt the topic at hand.... Give your child something to believe in... Look at how easy it is for a small child to believe in Santa Clause.... And he is not real.... Christ is.....

Answer 5

Teach her that there are different types of religion out there that exist. As well as mythology and spiritual teachings. They are a part of history, culture, and traditions around the world.
I don't believe in it and I am more spiritual, but i have read about almost all of the religions out there. I would tell it to here like a story book. Tell her to be open to everyone and what ever they believe, and that there may be people who try to push a religion on her, but ultimately it is up to her to decide what she feels is right for her. Good Luck

Answer 6

A careful introduction to Catholicism can create a very beautiful perspective on life: as can a Protestant upbringing. Just remember that culturally, your daughter will live in a world saturated by Christianity. It's your decision now whether she will interact with that huge bulk of knowledge as an observer or participator. Let her know she is loved: that Biblical message should apply to all of us.

Answer 7

I say teach her whatever you want. I'd do it in the home as opposed to a "church" or some other mind control cult.

Just keep lots of books around, from the Bible to the Koran and many other texts as well. There's a lot to be learned from ALL of them.

Answer 8

I'd say, don't make the same mistake with your Daughter that your Parents made with you ! Find a Bible believing Church, get in it, and learn right along with your Daughter.

Biblicaly, it is the responsibility of the Parents to "Train up a child in the way he should go...." Proverbs 22:6 When you fail in this, you fail your Daughter.

Answer 9

Well then you just did you and your daughter a disservice by denying the truth in the Bible. I greatly encourage you to read the New Testament about Jesus. If Jesus cant change your mind, then nobody on here will.

And your daughter will make up her own mind when she becomes a teenager regardless of what you teach her. But you and your husband signed an unwritten contract with God when you became parents that you would teach your kids about him and so far by youre own admission, you are in violation of that contract!

Answer 10

First, teach your daughter to about being a good person. When she reaches the age, she should be allowed to decide what religion or no religion she wants to follow based on her beliefs. Also try not to influence her thoughts.