Spiritually and religiously speaking, what is the role of a parent?

Question

Is it right for a parent to choose their child's religion? Don't just confine your answer to that..

Actually maybe if you could also try to sum up in as few words what you think the role of parent should be, generally speaking.

Thanks. I look forward to your thoughts!
:) Jeremy

Answer 1

I think you should teach kids right and wrong but not ascribe moral principles coming from one God or another. When you do that your teaching kids one set of belief's are right while others are wrong. Let children grow up and make their own choice. Read with them, get them to read different legends, myths, stories. Let them choose. If you force your belief's on them they will figure it out...

Answer 2

Peace!
1. Parents must regard their children as children of God and respect them as human persons.
2. Parents have the responsibility for the education of their children. The home should be a conducive place for teaching virtues.
3. Parents should teach children to avoid the compromising and degrading influences which threaten human societies.
4. Parents have the responsibility of evangelising their children.
Education in the faith by the parents should begin in the child's earliest years.

Answer 3

Even though I am atheist, so far, my children have been exposed to several different religions...in small doses. If they ask for more information on any, I'll provide it. I raise them to have high morals, but I do not teach them that these lessons intertwine with any religion. I teach them that they should do what is right because it is right...not because there are consequences (such as eternal damnation). Anyway, they ask questions...yesterday in fact, my oldest (nine) asked about pentagrams. So I explained all about them to her. She asked because there's a show coming up next week about a father and mother who are "witches" (as the commercial put it) and who are raising their kids that way. I plan to watch the show to see if it's appropriate to share with her. I think sharing the wiccan faith is fine, but I want to make sure the tv show doesn't exploit it and make it seem weird.

I hope to raise my kids to make their own choices with an open mind.

Answer 4

I don't think it is as much choosing a religion for them. If you believe in God and follow a religion, you should feel like it is your responsibility to teach them what you feel is right.

Obviously if you do not practice or whole heartedly believe in a specific religion, how can you expect your children to?

and to sum up quickly, what I believe is the role of a parent: to teach your children how to be happy, responsible, moral adults.

Answer 5

hi jeremy

I taught my children values and morals...and when they were young I brought them to church on and off....but....I feel that children, like every other human being, should have free will....they should be taught to love other human beings, respect each other, and to realize that they, themselves deserve to be respected. I tell my children (now teens) that if they "want" to go to church, the car will be warming up, and I will bring them...if not, no problem.. I am a practicing spiritualist/healer.... I broke out of the christianity mold asap...... just as soon as I could get away from my parents..... my kids know that I am wiccan, but I never impose my beliefs on anyone, and that certainly includes the people that I love most of all in this world..show your kids love and kindness, this is the best that you can ever give!

Answer 6

I believe that each person has to make up his/her mind about religion. This freedom is given to us by God. A person is not a Hindu just because he/she is born to Hindu parents.
I also believe that the role of the parents is to display to their children the unseen God thru their life and the values they believe.
A child will learn to love or hate the religion of his/her parent depending how the parents display their religion through their life style.

Answer 7

Role of a parent:
1. unconditional love and protection
2. safety and security
3. Teach them the word of God and pray that they choose the right path. (this is a personal choice they must make)
4. Teach them good values and morals and hope they take these with them.
You can only provide the lessons then it is up to you to provide a safe place to land when their choices are not always the right ones.

Answer 8

Parent role is basically care taker and adviser.If you want to spell out ,it take long time to write and to tell you in details.Religion is personal.Parent can only influence.By force does not end with happiness.May God Bless You .........A Mi Tuo Fo

Answer 9

In Christianity we are charged to raise up our children in the way they should go. It's common sense too. Why wouldn't you raise your child in what you believe? This in no way chooses their religion for them, as that choice is for them to make when they are able. What god you choose to follow has to be a personal choice. As a parent I would hope that they would see the same truth that I see, but I can't force them to see it.

The role of a parent is to teach the child in everything, to provide rules and boundaries to keep them safe and help them to live amongst other people. To give them every bit of knowledge to help them live the best life they can live. Guide them in their decisions.

Answer 10

The role of a parent is to teach a child morality, and it does not take religion to do that. Indoctrinating a child into a religious belief system that he/she does not have the mental capacity to understand or accept voluntarily is child abuse.