Why do people push their religion on their children before they have the reasoning capability to choose?

Question

Obviously religion is very personal to people, and whatever they might choose affects the rest of their lives. Even if you do have religious beliefs, don't you think it is a bit wrong to push yours on your children before they have gained the scholorly ability to research and choose for themselves?

Normally this wouldn't concern me, but with the world heading in the direction it is heading, the world needs all the people who think for themselves that we can get or the violence and hate will only spread further. I know that some who were raised in a religion eventually do research for themselves, but all too often religion is just passed down and people do not even bother to take a further look.

A parent's role is to teach children about the world around them. Teach them common morals that everyone should share, show them the opportunities availiable in the world, but thy do people push their religion onto their children?

Morality and religion do not go hand in hand. Unfortunately, it is very much the other way in many cases.

I have studied religion in depth Kevin, but I did not point out Christianity directly. All religions evolve in cycles, Christianity killed hundreds of thousands of people through religious movements in the past, and while it has been docile, or at least reasonably so, for some time, it will cause more violence in the future again if we do not learn from our mistakes.

Teaching your children about religion and choosing one for them is a bit different don't you think?

Answer 1

Nope. The earlier the better. "Teach a child the straight path, and he will never stray from it."

Answer 2

This has been a question in my own home, as my wife and I are of different religious backgrounds (wife agnostic, I'm Mormon). I am also of the opinion that all individuals should research, contemplate, and come to their own decision on religion. However, the morals that you speak of, that we should teach our children, are often inseparable from the religion. Additionally, and hypothetically, if you figured out a pathway to the tree of life, or an endless supply of wealth (or whatevery you want to put here), would you not want to at least draw a map, or give you child the basics on how they could get there? Then, you could explain to them it is there if they want it, but it is their choice. I think it would be selfish and irresponsible not to do so. I think that is why many people teach their children of their religion. I will not force my religion upon my child, but will give him the resources or tools to understand the religion, I will teach him to respect all religion and to study whatever religion interests him, and will tell him he has a responsibility to society no matter what his religion to contribute and make a difference.

My brothers and I were provided the same basic teachings growing up and we have all chosen different paths. No one can say if those paths are right or wrong, as long as you are secure within yourself, happy with your life, and are making a difference.

Answer 3

They do it because their religion and religious leaders require it. Most people say they have free will, etc but as long as they continue to follow their organized religions, they are not becasue they are blindly following someone else's beliefs. Unfortunately it is not about to change anytime soon or in the distant future.

I'm all for respecting other people's beliefs but I don't respect stupidity.

Personally, I think a kid should taught about a wide variety of religions and then be allowed to make their own choice as to what they want to do. Even if that means following no religion. A parent has no right whatsoever to dictate what the kid believes. Morals are something else entirely that are not related to religion that every needs to learn.

Answer 4

People who teach their children about their religion were also taught by their parents the same way and for those who did not experience any adverse result on the teachings would normally find it a normal thing to do to continue the legacy if ever it contributed to a better family tradition. As they grow old, only few can really look to another field of interest that affected their choice or no choice of joining any religion. It is not wrong to insist on your belief but there should be a limit as to what extent should you be allowed to insist.

Answer 5

I think the problem arises from the fact that religion is so ingrained is some people's family culture and tradition. Meaning family celebrations and such. Plus not to mention that most people who are religious feel that it has helped them in there life and that they would be negligent if they did not expose their children to it. I am in total agreement with you. In some children this could cause emotional and personality problems in their adult lives, religion is not for everyone and if you are exposed to it with out of choice at a young age it could be harmful to those that religion is not really for.

I have to say something about Kevin's answer right above mine though. This is a very dangerous idea that no one can learn morality with out religion. Morality has been around long before religion. I find it sad that people do not get educated on this point, maybe some more reading of the ancient philosophers is needed in the educations system, Socrates has written almost countless documents on the subject of morality and he existed way before the time of Christ and was an Atheist himself.

Answer 6

I am not religious, but it is the right of parents to rear their children in their own tradition, if they choose. Once a person becomes an adult, he can go his own way. I believe this is a parent's inherent right. Unless the child is actually being harmed, no one has the right to interfere.

"The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to have respect for the liberty of parents and, when applicable, legal guardians to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions." ~ International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 18, part 4

But you ask a good question. It could be argued that a parent who passes on his religious bigotry against homosexuals, atheists, or other religions is violating the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child.

"The child shall be protected from practices which may foster racial, religious and any other form of discrimination. He shall be brought up in a spirit of understanding, tolerance, friendship among peoples, peace and universal brotherhood, and in full consciousness that his energy and talents should be devoted to the service of his fellow men." ~ UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child, Principle 10

Answer 7

Generally when you believe in something you believe that it is the right thing. Therefore, you teach your children as you have been taught. I was raised Lutheran, because my grandparents were Lutheran, my parents were Lutheran so it makes sense that they raised me as a Lutheran as well. Now that I am an adult and have experience other religions, I am no longer Lutheran. I do not believe in some of the teachings and have found a place I feel more comfortable in. I am now raising my son in the church where I feel things are "right'. He is still young, I give him the foundation, and later if he chooses something else..then he will have have the foundation I have laid for him to be all that much stronger.

Answer 8

We teach them what we know is right about this world and the next the afterlife. I wonder why people teach their children about evolution? Freedom of speach, perhaps? They're my kids. I asked a question once that was about " Why do pregnant women smoke knowing it would hurt their baby. One person answered "her body, her choise." Do you believe she has a choise? She does. It stinks, but she does. You don't have to agree with someone's walk of life for it to continue happening. My religion has common morals and love. It has simple rules that the children follow in the bible. The ten Commandments. With the world heading in it's direction I don't think it's a good idea to take God out of anything let alone the ten commandments.

Answer 9

Your question makes the assumption that all religions are ok. If an individual does not try and influence their children to follow their beliefs, then they can't really wholeheartedly be a believer of it themselves, can they?

Proverbs 22:6 says to "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

If I don't tell my child what is truth, and what is not, then when they get out into the world, someone else certainly will come along and tell them a different version of what is right and wrong. They'll have a nice empty head ripe for the picking of those that want to tell them that they are just the product of a billion years of chances and mistakes, that we're just animals so it's ok to do whatever you want, and that there are no eternal consequences.

Why would I do my child that disservice?

Answer 10

This seems to be a stunning concept to me. i'm Catholic, yet I struugle very much with my faith because of the fact i think as though i grew to become into compelled into it. simply by this, I truthfully have become very fascinated and as a result, have all started to income international religions. even though, i'm not somebody who's going to bash Christianity just to make a element that i'm a "insurrection". I settle for distinctive Christian teachings, yet I additionally settle for the validity of many different international religions. i think of, better than something, that Christianity and distinctive different substantial religions have been switched over into something that they have got been in no way meant to be (by way of doctrines and what not). that's the reason examine would desire to be carried out. I desire i grew to become into somebody that had finished faith in my faith, yet I wasn't blessed with that. So, to fill the void, I ought to coach myself. If I have been knowledgeable greater early in my existence, i will have had the religion in a faith of my determination. i will income it sometime, perhaps in Christianity, perhaps in another faith, or consistent with hazard in some hybrid, yet i will proceed to seek for solutions till I do.

Answer 11

If parents believe that their religious affiliation is "the right one", then they would be remiss as parents if they did not teach that "right" religion to their children. That's what "being a parent" means.

You are right when you say that a parent's role is to teach their children about the world around them. But letting children learn entirely by trial and error as you seem to be suggesting would be less than effective.