Do you think religion should be introduced to a child?

Question

I think parents should let their children keep an open mind about all religions instead of choosing one.

Answer 1

introduced yes
forced no
they should be told basics about many and allowed the freedom to decide for themself later on
and a parent should try to have enough info to help them if questions arise
this is part of the reason i am on these boards

i am spiritualist , my husband athiests ... my children believe in God but have not yet decided upon religion

Answer 2

No, it shouldn't.

I had religion(Lutheranism) introduced to me as a child. Truthfully, I was indoctrinated before I was even a year old and considered "believing" even before I did much more than eat, sleep, and poo my diapers. A child that young has absolutely no idea whatsoever of what's going on or why. I've seen more than my share of babies who cried when they woke up with cold water being poured on their heads.

Babies don't know any better and can't make decisions for themselves, so why are parents doing it for them? Parents can decide things for a child affecting their health and well-being for the sake of keeping them alive and healthy. However, religion is a spiritual matter and what's best for one, isn't best for another, even if it's their own child. Nobody, not even a parent, can tell how a person's going to grow up and think in their own hearts and minds.

I wish my own parents hadn't indoctrinated me and left me to learn for myself. I might very well have been Lutheran myself in the end. But the indoctrination and religion didn't set with me and now twenty-odd years of abuse and fighting over it has driven me away and turned me off permanently. Doesn't mean I'd get upset if I had kids and they wanted to be Christian.

Parents really should be open-minded and teach their kids about all kinds of beliefs, not just their own. Then when a kid's old enough to make the choice from themselves(even if they change beliefs as they grow and learn), let them make that choice and support them. I'd do that with my own kids, if I ever have any.

Even if they were Christian, I really wouldn't have a problem with it. I'd teach them to be tolerant and that it's NOT ok to harass and intimidate people into believing as they do, regardless of what the church might teach. They can ask, especially if a person asks them first, but not harass. I'd raise them to understand that whatever they believe, not everyone's going to be the same, so they have to respect that. Long as my kids do that, I don't care what religion they are.

Wouldn't matter if they were Christian, Muslim, Wiccan, Buddhist, whatever. Long as they were respectful about it, wouldn't bother me. But I certainly wouldn't indoctrinate. Teach, but not initiate. I'd let them decide what religion they want to believe in and join. It's their soul, their heart, not mine.

Answer 3

I think that Children should be somewhat educated about different religions, just for the knowledge of what other people believe. But, I do believe that parents have a responsibility for teach their children their religion if it is what they believe with all of their heart. I am a Christian, and my children are taught that god is the only God and Jesus was his son. They will be taught about other religions, but just to be prepared for life.

Answer 4

Introduced? Sure. Indoctrinated? No. Parents should be giving not only a foundation of knowledge and beliefs, but just as importantly, a method by which to add to or change that foundation (especially when it comes to conflicting information). Organized religion gives you the foundation and a train of thought that resists any attempts to add or change it.

Case in point, Carol M's comment: "This 'open mindedness' that you refer to is the path to Satan." - just, wow...

Answer 5

I agree with you as far as personal preference goes, but I don't think it's actually harmful for people to raise their children in their religion. If you don't know any other way of living, you couldn't possibly see the harm in it.
I however will let my children choose like my mother did.

Answer 6

That would be my choice, too, but I also think that parents have an inherent right to rear their children as they think best, according to their own beliefs and within their own traditions. Only when it is proved that the parents are actually harming the child should outside powers interfere.

Answer 7

By the age of 5, most children have been
conditioned to believe whatever the parents say/do
is "normal", even if it's an unwholesome household...
Then they go to school, and things go downhill fast.
Parents,if you love your children, give them something
better than a wishy-washy concept of God. Give them
the BEST EDUCATION, taught in GOD'S OWN WORDS.
This is the finest gift you can give

Answer 8

Sweetie, that's a nice idea, but any parent will raise their child in their religion/belief. There is no way you can't. If you are christian, your child will be raised christian. Jewish, raised Jewish. Atheist, raised Atheist. And so on. Whether your child remains that way his or her whole life is a different matter. you can teach your child about all religions, but one will dominate their growing up. It's just a fact.

Answer 9

I think it is a parents responsibility to instruct their child in matters of spirituality! There is plenty of time when the child is older for them to decide whether they want to maintain the faith of their youth or embrace another faith, but it is a parent's duty as part of raising their child to be a whole individual to instruct them!

PS...Important matters such as spiritual issues shouldn't (in my opinion) be left up to the child to choose. That's as negligent as allowing a child to choose to eat candy for every meal. It's just as detrimental to their spiritual health and well-being, They CRAVE parental input!

Answer 10

Yes, its wrong to force a belief of any kind on a child. They should be free to choose what they believe.