Religious folks: You wouldn't call a child a Republican or Democrat would you?

Question

You don't categorize children into political affiliations because we know that they are unable to judge for themselves and choose the right party to support.

However, we are willing to call a child a Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, Jew etc yet similarly, the child has yet to develop the capacity to be discerning of these religions.

It seems to me that children are force fed with religious beliefs against their wills.

Answer 1

I get your point .... but I'm sure those parents who spoon-feed their children religion, also spoon-feed them their own political beliefs as well.

There's nothing wrong with telling your children "What I believe is ...." .... but also tell them what other's believe and give them the option to make up their mind as to what makes the most sense to them.

Answer 2

Speaking for myself, I have two children. One is a Christian, the other is not. I don't differentiate between the two, as far as love, but when presented with questions like yours, my 6-yr-old will say she's a Christian. Her 5-yr-old sister will say she doesn't quite understand it all yet (her words, not mine).

They have both been raised in church, for the most part, but neither is even aware of the distinction of Southern Baptist beliefs versus that of other Christians. They'll learn that in their own time, just as they've both come to their own knowledge of Jesus & His sacrifice. All children go through the same stages of development, though at different ages.

Further, even Athiests teach their children some form of discernment of right from wrong, so when do they start? When the children are "old enough"? Also, children are completely dependent on their parents for their care & nurturing - they have very little "free-will."

Just to clarify, Protestants aren't born. Muslim & Jew are also nationalities, so your presumption is a bit skewered.

Answer 3

yeah yeah they are also fed brocoli against their will but it is good for them.

There is in fact only one body of Christ recognized in heaven and it is not of peter or apallos or paul but of Christ and Him crufified and they all teach that. Denominations are wrong but it is better to be exposed to the elements of the truth. All these children will go through a phase where they oppose their parents so what is the problem.

If they are taught atheism like Mad Madlyns son was they likely will become
Christians like he did.

If children love and trust their parents they will likely listen and if they listen to what good parents teach them what is that problem. Look at how they cram evolution down kids throats even though through now genetics has made the whole idea that verticle evolution ever took place on this planet, between geological and genetic evidence the theory is all but untinable yet still our schools teach it as if it is fact. Our kidz are always gonna be taught what was thought to be fact 30 years ago because those who suposedly discovered and verified are more powerful than those who have made new discoveries as yet have not gained exceptance and why is that because even in science it is not what you know but who you know. Best thing a child can be force fed is that it is a good idea to be friends with the creator. It is the truth that stands the test of time.

above there is an example of our poor education, one says we do not live in a communist country as if communism can not be democratic like it has to be a dictatorship as in the USSR. There were Kabutz in Israel, and they were democratic. Here in the USA what we do best is shovel $hit.

Answer 4

Most of us follow our parents because we choose to. Once we reach the age of accountability we must choose our own paths. Going to a church doesn't make you a christian anymore than eating a double cheeseburger makes you a steer.If a child is raised in an environment where God is 1st in their lives and they can see by the actions and deeds of their parents they obey Gods laws and do as the bible asks-----then yes----the child might very well choose to follow God also.Hypocrites don't fool anyone.

Answer 5

first of all i call all the children i know a rep. or dem. by the way they talk and think, secondly if it was up to them and their ignant(ignorant) a**es they would destroy our hopes in the future they need to go to church even if its their parents, they only have a good opinion when theyre 18 maybe 16, because they can drive, but our future seems pretty bleak, but what can i say im 15

Answer 6

That seems to be the problem with you! Somebody has forced a religion on you against your will.
It is not the case here. We are secular.

Answer 7

...I am not sure what your "master plan" is for raising kids, but mine includes instruction in right living, critical thinking, and a relationship with God. Whati is most important is that each one walks with God and obeys Him.
...FYI - our children are walking with Christ - all are teens, all are interested in missions, and no one browbeat them into doing it. We call ourselves Christians - born-again believers in Lord Jesus Christ; we believe His word, and pattern our lives after it.
Our denomination is secondary.
...As for politics, using Scripture as our standard, we analyze everything by God's word.
...Finally, as another said so well, this is America, and we are free to raise our children as we choose.

Answer 8

All too true! Most people believe that since the children were baptised (or whatever appropriate ritual) that they will obviously become the same as the parents. Most people also believe that people of other religions will go to Hell (or the appropriate dark plane) and that belief is carefully tended by the misguided priests (again- or appropiate title). Since I am "going to Hell anyways" I will teach my son my pleasantly pagan ways, but allow him to attend services of other religions to help him find one that suits him. Or if he wants to be athiest that's ok with me too. As long as he is taught tolerance, I don't mind whatever he becomes.

Answer 9

force feed morals, the alphabet, even how to wash your hands.

I do this because I was force fed liver as a child!

Do as you want with your children, I'll do what I want to mine

Answer 10

i dont have any kids, but me taking my kids one day to the church i happen to go to does not make them baptist or whatever that church is. they just happen to go to a baptist church, i dont have any particular denomination. children seem to mimick all of what their parents say or talk about as well. do atheists force feed the evolution Theory to there kids? :)