What is the best advice to give ur child about mom's religion and dad's religion?

Question

I have a 5 turning 6 yr old son & he's mixed with 2 race but the thing is, I'm a Buddhist but not an active one, I participate in special events. My husband is a Catholic and my mother-in-law has been telling my husband to go to the church. Our son been to the church before and learned about Jesus. But he also been to the temple and know what a Buddha looks like but nothing about the religion besides sitting down and praying. So what is the best advice to give to your child? I don't mind at all what he choses but how do I get involved. I'm not really a religious person but I grew up around Buddhists, (my family & culture). My husbands wants to take our son to church though. As his parents, we don't mind what he choses. Should we wait til he actually understand?

Another thing is he's born on Christmas!

I'm liking mccdannell answer so far and thanks for the birthday greeting. We always consider our family a unit, my husband has not go to church in a long time, our son goes with his grandma. Even though he's turning 6, he has asked me certain questions about religion especially when he watches tv, and because Christmas is around the corner he's getting into the Holy spirit thing and nativity thing and his aunt (7 yr old) teaches him about Jesus.

He's very smart, not cus he's my son, but he's smart in his own way and very independent. He recently learned the difference with his culture as in what he's mixed with, and speaks some of both languages, English is primar language. I know I'm bragging.

Answer 1

i personally am a very devout christian but i was also raised to ask questions and it even says in the bible that you should not follow anyone or thing blindly. Both my parents were strong christians but encouraged me to not just learn and accept what they believed but to ask questions and make my own decisions. I believe that you should let your son be involved in both religions, let him see what they are about. All while letting him know that its ultimalty his desicion. I dont believe in people confirming there children into a specific religion, because it is the child that must live with the decision and will be held accountable for that decision. A true christian, and it says this in the bible, needs to have a personal relationship with God. The keyword being personal. If you are only believing in something cause thats the only thing you were taught how is it a personal choice. I think if you believe something you should believe it with all of your being. (Rev 3:15-16 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.) If you dont it would seem that you have doubts in your beliefs and therefore are you really being true to yourself or your religious beliefs (btw that was not a stab at you in ANYWAY!)
For example Say your parent or friend tells you that someone is the best person they have ever met and you should be friends with them. You may have met this person but dont really know anything about them but because your parent/friend told you so you go around saying they are your best friend and the best person in the world. That wouldnt mak emuch sense at all would it. because you dont really know anything about the person so you cant back up your claims.

Raise him so that he can make his own educated decison when it comes time. Encourage him to learn everything he can. If you just practice a religion because you were told to are you truly believing in it? Are you truly practicing it? I wouldnt think so.

I hope that helps! Good luck and God Bless

Answer 2

Happy Birthday to you son!!

I would think you two need to pick which religion. This way it does not confuse your son. A family unit does things together. If you do not go to church but your husband and son do, this would not be considered a family unit, only in my opinion. Or just go to the church, you do not have to "believe". Many who go to church don't! Look at all the fighting going on here in yahoo....

Be honest with your child, he will find out anyways! I feel as you do I do not mind what my three boys religions are. I grew up Christian, my father was Presbyterian, I guess there is a difference? My family back east I think they are baptists, at least when I went back there it was very different then our church.
My youngest goes to our church here in town, I sat down a long time ago and explained to him that I was not comfortable around a lot of people, this does not mean you can't go. Little town, my kids know almost everyone lol! Our teachers go there from the school and other kids from school etc.

Good luck it is hard, parenting is not easy! This issue seams to get a lot of attention. I personally wish all religions would make peace with each other...the goal is the same.

Answer 3

Choose neither. Why? Because their negatives will be the reason why you will break up with whoever you choose, and then you'll find someone else that you should have been in the first place. The father of your child - he cheated on you, hit you, and drinks. Those are 3 things that ended my parents' marriage...and if you marry him, down the road you will realize it wasn't worth it. His bipolar disorder is NO reason for him to hit anyone and he might end up using that against you all the time. The other dude - if he loves your baby then he shouldn't hate her name...much less want to go as far as changing it. It's the little things in life that counts, and when you hate someone's name it's one of those things that you should NEVER mention. Way I see it, that's just the start. What's next; is he going to change your name? Change the way you dress? Change the way you walk? Change the way you talk? Change who your friends are? Change your religion? You sound insecure and want to jump into something you don't understand. You are better than that, your daughter is better than that and you should just wait a bit til someone better comes along. You are right; you need to find a father figure for your daughter. But you also need to find someone who is a great husband and a great friend.

Answer 4

You both should practice your religions according to what you believe, let your son learn on his own from your actions instead of what you said to him.

It should be noted that your son is definetly bound to have a different religion than you two, since each person religion is always different. However, there's a chance he might choose your group, your husband's group, or possibly even other group.

Answer 5

In most families, the mother chooses the religion of the children. I was raised Catholic and left it when I got older because of some issues I have against the Catholic church and their beliefs. I am now a born again Christian and only follow the Holy Bible.

Reason for this story, is that no matter what religion you raise your children, they will change it when they get older if they do not feel it is right for them.

Answer 6

No introduce him to both but dont try to push either one off on him. Let him know there is many diffrent religeons. I was raised in a christian household not practicing of course with my mom but I went to so many diffrent religious churches, christian, baptist, mormon, johova witness etc. I would also consider sending your son to more churches that practices religions other then just budhist and catholic. Let him know that he has the choice to make on which one he likes but they all have generally the same ideas. Be good to people, treat others with respect and so on. Teach him to also think for himself. Faith is always good to give a child because it gives them something to believe in and hold on too when he has no where to run.

Answer 7

My child is still a twinkle in my eye!

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheynu melech ha-olam, asher kid-shanu b'mitz-votav, v'tzinvanu l'hadlik neyr shel Shabbat

Blessings
David

Answer 8

If you are not religious, best thing is to let your son go with your husband. A child needs some religious background, a sense of belonging and a molding when he grows. Teach him both, he can decide when he is older but for now, don't keep him away from Church.

Answer 9

I would say let him know what they are both about but do not push him in either direction. if he wants to go to church/temple let him. In time as he grows older and is more able to understand the world he will decide which is best for him (or any other/none for that matter).

Answer 10

One God/One Religion

[21:92] Your congregation is but one congregation, and I alone am your Lord; you shall worship Me alone.

[21:93] However, they divided themselves into disputing religions. All of them will come back to us (for judgment).

[21:94] As for those who work righteousness, while believing, their work will not go to waste; we are recording it.

[21:95] It is forbidden for any community we had annihilated to return.
http://www.submission.org/suras/sura21.html

Do Not Follow Your Parents' Religion Blindly

[5:104] When they are told, "Come to what GOD has revealed, and to the messenger," they say, "What we found our parents doing is sufficient for us." What if their parents knew nothing, and were not guided?

[5:105] O you who believe, you should worry only about your own necks. If the others go astray, they cannot hurt you, as long as you are guided. To GOD is your ultimate destiny, all of you, then He will inform you of everything you had done.
http://www.submission.org/suras/sura5.htm

No Compulsion in Religion

[2:256] There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient
[2:257] GOD is Lord of those who believe; He leads them out of darkness into the light. As for those who disbelieve, their lords are their idols; they lead them out of the light into darkness - these will be the dwellers of Hell; they abide in it forever.
http://www.submission.org/suras/sura2.htm


The True Founder of Christianity
The teachings of Paul, the true founder of Christianity, cannot be found anywhere in the teachings of Jesus or in those of prophets before him.
http://www.thetruecall.com/home/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=122&mode=&order=0&thold=0