Letting your own children decide their religious path!?

Question

I think it would make sense to let children decide what religion they want to be apart of by not forcing anything upon them at birth or through childhood.

i can tell you the only reason i believed in God was because i was always taught it to be true and was only really happy when i found my own.

Are any religious people going to let their children decide, or you'll have them believe what you want and let them decide later in life??

If you are religious how would you feel if your child didn't believe the same as you??

Jan - the weird thing in my avatar space is mother earth, but is a bit small to see the full effect of it. it's really pretty in full. maybe i should change it for something u can see

Answer 1

Hi Mara. I grew up in a home where neither God, nor Jesus was spoken about. My father had turned aside from religion, because his father was the hell fire religion type, and he didn't believe in sparing the rod. My father told me, pee would be running down him and his brothers legs, when they would be taken for a beating. I remember my father telling us kids when we were growing up, on the topic of religion, that we could decide for ourselves when we were of age. I am thankful, because I didn't have any preconcieved idea's about God or Jesus. I was a peice of clay, ready to be molded. My father is a realist, by the way.
When I read the details of your question, I could hear my fathers words, ringing in my ears. Peace.

Answer 2

I consider myself religious, as I do adhere to a very specific religion. But I wouldn't raise a child under any particular religion, including my own. I was forced to follow my parents' religion, even when I knew I could think for myself and honestly choose my own path. I didn't like that approach at all. I'd want to allow my child to explore what's out there. If there's something I'd find too morbid or "dangerous" to look into, then it's only fair that I have a logical explanation as to why, and not "because I'm your father and I say so."

At the same time, I might not go out of my way to hide my religion, which I'm sure some might do for the sake of leaving things unbiased. I'd answer questions about what certain symbols are about and what not.

Regarding the case where my child might not end up choosing my religion as his/her own, I have much more respect for somebody who sincerely believes in a different religion than somebody who only half-assed follows mine.

Answer 3

mara: This is a fantastic question posed by you !!! I have a son, who is now, an adult. I am a Christian and raised my son with knowledge about a Creator [God] . He, (my son) does not attend nor subscribe to any religion nor does he have a relationship with Jesus Christ, currently. I allowed him choice (as God allows all humans free choice) to embrace a relationship with Him. As I have, he [my son], will have to come to see the NEED for Jesus Christ in his life. In short, I leave the converting up to God to do. I want my son to come to the realization of a Devine Creator by proving His [God's] existence with science like I had. It is very imperative, that anyone coming into a spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ, do so, by seeing things through their OWN eyes. Those convinced against their will - ARE of the same mind still !!!

P.S. I have seen the scars of legalism (dos and don'ts) from strict religious homes, on children, who were forced to attend churches and punished for not attending. These kids, today, are very bitter about God, churches, Christianity and life. Some even, post on this Y.A. site and hate drips like venom from a snake. Religious abuse turns people off from desiring a relationship with God because he or she thinks God hates them. Controlling others of age is NOT Christian nor does it convey the love of God !!!

Answer 4

Its the parents and God parents responsibility to guide their children with the Word of God, if they believe in a God. Once children are confirmed I believe parents should still be there to advise but give them what God has promised, Free Will. A baby and children under middle age (10 to 16) do not have the capacity to understand the commitments of religion. If you let them choose than why not let them choose drugs, etc. Of course you would want to give them guidance in all aspects of life

Answer 5

Many people seem to think if they don't raise their kids with religion the kids will have no morals or what not. That is completly false of course. Raising a child to respect the culture's laws would instill the PROPER morality, at least to live in that society. I agree, forcing your beliefs on someone is wrong. A child should be able to choose what religion, or lack thereof, fits them best.

Answer 6

Of course they should decide...but just as obviously, they should be included in religion as a family from birth. I can't believe those who think children shouldn't be "endoctrinated at a young age". Do you prefer that the parents go to church and leave their children behind? How silly! Of course church should be a family activity. If the children show interest in other religions, they should be granted access if they so desire. Spirituality is deeply personal, and quite frankly, most teens young adults stray from their family's religious teachings for a while. They usually end up coming back as they start their own families.

Answer 7

I think it's important to let children choose for themselves too. I was never pressured to join a certain religious path but was introduced to the fundamentals and values of Christian faith. Having the basis of the "do onto others..." and the "thou shalt not...." gave me a moral framework but the lack of pressure gave me the freedom to discover and question. If my future children wanted to worship something I didn't, or didn't know about, I would research and know as much about it as I could, being supportive and making sure they know what they're getting into.

Answer 8

I didn't grow up in a religious home or with religious teachings, I was told I could decide that for myself when I was grown. Now I am grown, I am a believer, I am a child of God, Jesus is my church. You can't force anyone to believe as you do anyway.

Answer 9

Religious freedom for kids is a great concept but if you are a believer in any religion you would feel irresponsible not teaching the children the "right way" to live.

Answer 10

i'm Pagan married to a Deist and our households are Christian. In my abode we rejoice yule... I do greater of the non secular stuff than my hub or my 19 year previous son does. however the foodstuff and thoughts, and so on... are all finished mutually. On Christmas Eve (yule is 12 days long), we bypass to my mothers and dads abode the place we rejoice Christmas. even with the indisputable fact that they are Christians, they are not overly non secular/fundies... and normally stick a tremendously secular "social gathering" with the traditional Christmas thoughts, the foodstuff, the CHOCOLATE!!! oops, sorry... I surely have on no account pushed my ideals on anybody. Even collectively as gazing/celebrating Pagan trip journeys, I purely bypass so a approaches because of the fact something of the kin is prepared to bypass and something I do on my own (ritual, and so on...) even with the indisputable fact that, that relatively isn't a brilliant number of a concern in my abode, in view that my son is likewise Pagan and my husband enjoys studying approximately those issues... he purely does not participate. =) it may well be confusing to describe that to a 5 year previous. i did no longer ought to do any deep factors till my new child replaced into purely approximately 11. So i'm no longer able to provide any suggestion on that as i'm not sure a thank you to describe it to a 5 year previous. No, you could no longer request excused absence for Wiccan Holildays. there is relatively purely one "Christian" trip young infants get off and that falls interior of their wintry climate spoil. that's purely something you will ought to artwork around or in keeping with threat evaluate homeschool.