Should parents force a child into religion?

Question

I'm a Wiccan, but I pose as a christian I go to my mother's church, because she forces me and wants me to be a christian.
I also want to know how to tell my mother that I don't want to be christian without starting trouble for myself.

Answer 1

tell her, that her god loves everyone. and that she should portray a christ-like attitude with you. ask her how jesus would handle someone who didnt believe. it may disappoint her, but no parent should force a child into believing anything. nothing more then brainwashing and in reality brainwashing is negating free will. they claim god gave free will but they are taking that away from the child by forcing their beliefs on them. i dont think god wants robots who were forced to believe and brainwashed into it . i think he gave us free will so we came to him on our own accord.

Answer 2

So here's my experience...

I have a friend who's Christian, not fanatical. I am not a Christian, I'm agnostic. Upon having children, he, like many others wanted to know whether my child would be going to church because that would be good for them. That made me think, would you ask Jews if they were sending their children to church? No, because you give some validity to their belief.

When this question is asked of agnostics, atheists, Wiccans, Buddhists, etc. it seems to reek of a belief that our beliefs are not valid enough to pass on to our children. Everyone wants to teach their children what they believe or how they'd like their children to grow up.

When the time was right for me, I just told my mom that I wasn't a Christian. She and the rest of my family still do the Christian thing and try to convert me, but I am so happy with my beliefs I won't give them up. And that's what I want my children to have. Is there anything wrong with that?

Answer 3

No parents should not force their child into religion. However you can hardly expect a christian to sit their child down and say 'right so this is what I you mother, the women who brought you into the world believe, but this is what other complete strangers who have nothing to do with your upbringing believe...'

I was brought up in a christian home, religion was not forced on me, but I went to church every sunday without questions. I didn't even think to question it until I was older. Then when I was 16 I told my mum that I wasn't going to church anymore because I didn't believe in God.
She was upset, but accepted that those are my beliefs. She still says to me, 'I hope you find your way back to God' It annoys me, but I understand why she does it.

Just sit quietly with your mother and explain why you want to be wiccan, what brought you to that. Tell her that you love her, and that your beliefs have nothing what-so-ever to do with her, that it's your choice.
Hopefully she will choose to respect that, but don't be surprised or annoyed if she continues to pray for you! =)

Answer 4

parents do what they think is best for there kids, she only wants you to be happy and healthy. Thats why she wants you to go to her church. If you are old enough (16 atleast) then you should decide tio tell her that you are happier with a different religion, but this will cause alot of trouble in the home.

Answer 5

If you are an adult, then you have the right to make mistakes without taking correction from your mother. If you are still a minor, then your stuck, unless the two of you can come to a peaceful agreement that will allow you to throw away your life on a religion of witchcraft. The devil's religion is not worth stirring up trouble in the family, and that is what Satan is trying to do.

Answer 6

Lol replace wiccan for buddhist and you would've described me to the letter.

Just tell her you don't believe, it nearly got me kicked out the house but then I'm not always the most tactful person. Stop going to church, its hard but it'll make you feel so much better for not living a lie.

Oh and make sure you get you're mum to read up on wicca because she'll almost certainly start saying you're hell bound.

Answer 7

I have never heard about your religion. Generally All parents want their children to be in their own religion though the children have right to choose their own. If you are born to a christian parent you are a christian, Hindu or Buddism whatever it is. So In my point of view Better stick on to the religion what your parents belong. It will make your parents happy.

And always don't forget the fact all God or all religion is one. Only thing every religion has its own way to reach god. All the roads or way lead to a junction called God. So better travel in one road but learn about other roads also. But never Jump from one to another though you find it is easier or smooth. It is always good to travel in one boat to reach the shore. Have a Safe and smooth religious journey with everyone's blessing especially your parents! Be well! God Bless!!

Answer 8

She won't force you to go for long if you make a scene about having to go and disrupt the service. Just making a scene about having to go kept me out of church since I was 10 - I didn't have to step it up to being an embarresment. But it's always an option.

Answer 9

parents can try and force a child into a religion but it is definitely not going to work. Whatever they are being told to be is going to make them be the opposite. It does not sound like a good idea to me.

Answer 10

No. If that person is a child the parents should set an example for the child to follow.
But on the other hand if he's a matured person let him decide to make or mar his life.
Where is he going to spend his Eternity is his choice.