Is it really free will if you tell your child?

Question

That they have the same religious beliefs as you do? I mean think really hard about this. If you raise them to question everything and teach them to make decisions on their own isn't that giving them free will. I am wondering because as people get older they statistically hold the same beliefs as their parents but would they if they were raised differently? I mean all my muslim friends have muslim parents and they never question their beliefs because its all they have ever known...the same goes from any Christians that I have ever known. Isn't it harder to look at other religions with an open mind if you have been biased since youth? I think most people don't really understand how much faith someone else has in something completely different then what they believe because they are taught since being young that what they believe is true? What do you think?

well Why dontcha B ....To you that may seem like the way things are but its sadly not the case. many many parents Raise their children labeled as something...much like our friend who answered the question first pointed out.

Whirlwind....your are a prime example of what im talking about. you cannot accept anyone else's faiths because of how you were taught. you think the rest of the world is evil..how can humanity ever progress with people thinking like you do.

Answer 1

You have a strong point. The excuse most people use is that "morality depends on religion," which is utter nonsense. It is simply deep indoctrination. Emotional, and sometimes physical, coercion are part of the process.

We raised 5 ethical, productive members of society without recourse to this bullying. I think forcing children to accept notions they cannot understand, and that they cannot examine, is a form of abuse. It's also a lack of respect of their core intellectuality - and it certainly smacks of massive insecurity.

Answer 2

I agree with you, I was raised a catholic and was taught never to question "GOD". Then as I got older I kept wondering how could anyone else believe anything other then the Catholic faith....then as more time went by I began to realize that maybe what I believed in Wasn't right. It wasn't easy breaking away but I feel so much better about it now. I think that its very hard for some people to understand other people because they don't want to admit that they might be wrong.

Answer 3

honestly...i believe the way i was raised was the best...for anyone of any relegion..yes im saying my parents r good parents :P
its this...yes u do tell ur child that he or she is of the same relegion as u...but at the same time u give emphysis on tolerance and teaching the child about other relegions. so that the child understands that yes...although this is my faith or belief,its possible for other people to believe differently and still be good people
incidently i am a muslim and iv been taught that the Quran teachs these same values...tolerance and understanding

Answer 4

I think that any child can be raised with the knowledge that not everything their parents tell them is right and what is best for them. Most children believe what their parent's believe because it makes sense to believe. Me and my sisters were brought up in a household of Baptists, we were baptised Baptist and we were given the option of going to church with our parents or NOT. For a little while, we all went, to see what it was like. 20 years later, and I'm an athiest. I don't believe in anything at all.. I haven't found anything worth believeing in yet. One of my sisters became a Catholic, one of them became a Pentecostal, and the other is still thinking about her options. My parents were present at both of my sister's confirmations, and were proud of them for choosing their own path.. but you'll never know how big the river is if you don't step in it.. and my parents were providing the step. A parent that truly wants their child to choose will allow them to choose, but showing them what other peoploe have chosen is hardly taking away their free will.

Answer 5

There is no such thing as a Christian child - only the child of Christian parents...

Children are much too young to form opinions of the afterlife, Gods, etc. You cant vote until youre 18 - you shouldnt be fed religion until your considered old enough to think for yourself as well.

Answer 6

I was very lucky with my parents. They never forced their religous beliefs down my throat or my brothers'. One of my brothers found his way into a church anyways. I think no religion should be forced onto anyone until they are old enough to actually understand it and not just blindly follow it because that's what mom and dad do.

Answer 7

It is written to train up your Children in the way they should go, and when they are old, they will not depart from it.

Training them to make right choices isn't easy. It takes discipline. As parents, we can only train as what we believe is correct after seeking Godly wisdom.

If one doesn't train their children the way that is right, then the parent really doesn't love their child. It is written to spank child also, if child is being that rebellious. It will save their soul from hell.

Answer 8

If the Christians Parents don't tell the truth. The world will tell them about all the evil. And have them believing it ok. Now, tell me now. You think real hard. World [evil or God] which way?

It was God for me and to tell my children about doing right.

Answer 9

Spiritual growth seems to be more rapid for those that are able to lay down their baggage of worldly conditioning. True spiritual seeking is about taking an inward journey leading to discovery of ones true self, not about being the self the world teaches us to be.

Answer 10

No, my parents tried to keep me in christianity. They dragged me to church every week and I told them I wanted to change religions because the church brainwashes people. I think that parents should show all religions to their kids and let them decide instead of forcing their beliefs upon their kids. THAT would be free will.