should religion be forced on children or should you let them make up their own minds on what religion is best?

Question

when they are wise enough

please there is no need to call this question stupid I only think that certain religions have lasted so long because it is forced on children. which i find rather wrong as alot of religion sems to be total bullshit

Answer 1

They should make up their own minds.

Answer 2

You seem to be upset with some forms of religion. If a religion has lasted a long time, like Judaism or Christianity, then maybe there is some truth to be found from them. The best way to understand is to ask God for help. Then start asking questions with those who are claiming to know. If you are the one being forced to learn, then count yourself blessed. Most children are not challenged to think about the more important questions of life.

Answer 3

I don't think anything should be FORCED on anyone... even religion. Children making up their own minds about anything, without the proper guidance, can be dangerous; we'd have a bunch of half dressed kids eating twinkies and hot cheetos all day long if we let them dream up their own wardrobe and diet. As for religion -- it needs to be lived in the home. There's a big problem with using words like "we are being forced to learn this." It already sets itself up for one more thing we HAVE to do.... nobody wants that. Don't force religion on children or anyone, but live in faith and truth and they will follow.... if they get to the point when they need to question -- great, let parents cross that bridge when they get to it.

Answer 4

I don't think any religion should be forced onto any child. Especially when two parents are of two different religions. The child when old enough should make that choice on their own. I was forced into a religion and dis liked my parents for it. Many of the children at the church all grew up in and started to rebel (smoking, drinking, swearing) when they got older.

Answer 5

I was baptized and did my first communion and all of that stuff... I feel like my parents were just trying to protect me via their religious beliefs.
I left my parents faith when I became of age to learn about other faiths.. and I converted to Islam.
I don't think what my parents did was "wrong", persay... but I wish they would have known more about other religions so I could have gone to them for advice, instead of going about it on my own.
I think that it's important that parents are educated about the world so they can pass that on to their children, especially when they hit the curious age of self awareness.
But I also believe it's a parents duty to instill morality in their children, and if the morality they know stems from their faith, I see no problem teaching their children in the way they see fit.
Once a child becomes an adult, they are capable of making their own decisions about faith, and everything else in this world. It's a parents job to give them the tools and means (mentally and emotionally) to do so.

Answer 6

I would never use the word "forced" - nor would I practice "force' of any kind.

I would raise them in my faith (Christian) for the same reason I feed them and make sure they are wearing proper clothing and wear clean underwear. Because, as babies and young children, they don't know any better.

When they get old enough to read and research and seek for themselves...I'd have no problem with that. That's what I was allowed to do...so I studied, read, prayed, looked at all other religions and the evidence for each...

And I remained a Christian based on that evidence.

Thank God for the seeds planted by loving parents and grandparents (and Godparents) that took root!

Answer 7

they will choose anyway, the best lesson is to show by example. If the parents are first class then the children will get a good upbringing. unless the ideals of the parents are higher than simply making comfortable arrangements for eating sleeping mating and working, then the children will grow up just like animals, who also have the same 4 basic goals in life.

Answer 8

Just as you would teach your child to eat by himself, talk, walk, learn the abc's, your child needs to learn at a young age about the religion of your choice. If you wait for a child to choose, how can he choose if the child has not been exposed to a religion. More importantly, what if the child dies before the child has come to accept Christ into his life. That child, if old enough to know the difference between right and wrong, will go to hell. Do you want to take that chance with your child's soul?

Answer 9

My feeling is this:

This is America and you can choose to be whatever religion you want. Therefore, you should let them pick what religion they would like to practice even if the 2 or more children choose to practice different religions. If religion is not a key issue in your home you should let them choose. If you force it on the you should remember that they can always change later on in their lives.

Answer 10

Of course I would want what's best for them, and since I beleive in that faith, that's what I will think is best for them, at least as young children. I plan on fully exposing them to what Islam is all about, prayer, fasting, charity, all of it. But if they want to explore other faiths as curious young adults, then by all means I will encourage them and be there for them if they have any questions. It would be hypocritical to deny them that opportunity to do the same thing I did, except I had no parental support.

Answer 11

Religion should never be forced, but a relationship with The Living God should always be modeled by parents and encouraged.