How can save my son from being brainwashed?

Question

My wife and parents are what we call Chrtian fundies. The father of my wife is a pastor. It looks as if they are all determined to brainwash my son to Christianity. Since my son is only 5 I think he will be an easy prey for them. But hopefully he once asked my wife who made God. How can I save him? He is too young for much reason and logic

My son is not believing what they say completly. He understands what I am saying. He believes me more

Answer 1

I was Baptized and taught Christianity at the age of five I attended Church and bible study twice a week until I was 16 when I became an Atheists. If the child is of average intelligence Christianity shouldn't hurt him at an early age. Knowledge of the Christian religion has been a great asset to me. It keeps me from asking stupid questions like, "Who is Christ?" And, "is God real?" Of course these are the questions Christians love but I try to avoid them. Your Son will be fine. That is the sort of thing you should have worked out before you married. What the Hell was you thinking? An Atheists marring a pastors daughter? Or are you just telling a big lie? You are certainly going to screw up the kid if you try to teach him one thing while his Mother is trying to teach him the opposite. My suggestion is you leave the kid alone until he is about 15 and then teach mostly by example. Don't screw the kid up at his age.

Answer 2

There is nothing wrong with your son getting at this age a religious education from his mom and grandfather. Half of his genes come from you, and he later will start asking even more questions.
Kids are very much interested in dinosaurs and space/universe. Show your son all kind of stuff about dinosaurs, and one day he will realize all by himself that the Genesis is just a story written at the time people did not know dinosaurs existed long before them.
Go with your son on NASA's website and show him pictures of the universe - not to mention it would be really impressive for him if you could take him to the Museum of Natural History in New York and could make him watch the Big Bang.
Let him get the religious education, and keep the eyes of his mind open; religious belief didn't prevent Einstein from giving us the Relativity Theory...

Answer 3

It is up to you to create the balance. Don't underestimate the logic in a 5 year old's mind, and that is where you can step in. At the same time you don't want to be interpreted as ridiculing or undermining your wife as that will only make him cautious and suspicious. Just put it into simple terms that he can understand. What his Mum says is only what some people believe. I guess you just need to try and counter-balance everything that they say. I have a best friend in a similar situation. Interestingly enough, it is my friend who is the extreme religious fanatic and her husband (who is also my friend) is the one at odds as to what to do. Just always be present and be a positive influence on your son too. I don't believe religion is for kids, it is an adult concept and something that someone has to seek out, I detest children having religion forced upon them. Good luck!

Answer 4

Hi David, Coming to your questions, many doubts as all Christians or Jews have. First is the Bible a Truth or a Brainwash. Till now whatever is mentioned in the Bible has been traced out to be True. You can find it in History too for Proof sake. Now coming to why you should follow what the Bible says: Firstly Christ gave his life for you and me and all his children who believe in him. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Coming to other things regarding Hell: If you see something being done wrong in every day life you as a Human naturally feel that the wrong doer should be punished.Parents feel that they should correct their children for their wrong doings. In the same manner God too has a right to judge what we have done on the Earth and how we have lived our lives? What have we done on this earth for his kingdom too counts? Ending my views here.

Answer 5

I'm sorry you think your family is all "brainwashed". I assume you love them all anyway, and would still love your son regardless of what he grows up to believe. So why worry? My concern is that your son will be confused, not knowing weather to agree with Mom or Dad, since the two of you disagree. You and your wife need to work this out among yourselves. What ever the two of you decide, the others shouldn't interfere. You two are the parents. It's nobody Else's decision.

Answer 6

You're making the same mistake that most adults make -- underestimating children. His question about god indicates that he's not too young for reason or logic, but rather exactly the right age. When he asks you such questions (and he will), answer as fully and honestly as you can.

Oh -- and when he's old enough, tell him about sex. That should short-circuit whatever your fundie relatives may be trying to do to him.

Good luck.

Answer 7

It's interesting that you'd marry a Christian fundamentalist in the first place, (or that she'd marry an athiest).

Just the fact that you believe you need to "protect" your son from your wife's views is going to put a HUGE strain on your marriageYou need to talk to your wife, and together you need to decide what and how to bring up your son.

Both of you need to examine things logically, and with reason. Christianity isn't just blind faith, and you both need to understand that. (Fundamentalists, as a general rule, tend not to.)

From experience, growing up in a Christian household, and knowing many people who have, just because you're brought up to believe one way or another, doesn't mean that's what you'll choose to believe when you're old enough to decide for yourself.

In the end, it's going to be his decision anyway.

I'm sorry that you think that Christians are out for "prey" and you need to save him, or that these particular Christians ARE out just to brainwash.Really, Christianity isn't about Religion, or ANYTHING except love, and knowing that there is something bigger, and better, than all of this. That someone died to save your life, and is asking you to love them back. I mean, there's a lot more logic in someone starting the big bang then there is on it "just happening."

Consider your wife's point of view, and ask her to consider yours. If you go to war against her beliefs, your marriage won't last, and your son is going to have a lot bigger of a problem then whether or not he knows the words to "Jesus Loves Me."

Answer 8

That's a bad situation to be in! You're right a five year old would seen as easy prey for indoctrination. I'd suggest getting your son interested in science. Reading about dinosaurs and whatnot is much cooler to little kids then bible stories which seem boring in contrast.

Answer 9

Sorry, but I've never heard of Chrtian fundies, but I am a Christian. No one made God...for He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending.

That isn't brainwashing...it's just trying to be right with God. What does your religion teach to make it so different? Besides, you can't control your wife and sons beliefs. God has given people a free will. It is not for us to control because 'control' of what people truly feel is right for them, is wrong for you to do.

What is wrong with Christianity and why do you fear it so much?

Answer 10

have long talks with him.
encourage him to ask you questions he has.
Ask him what he thought about what his mother / grandparents told him, and offer counter opinions.

This should make him examine everything that he is told by others, but you are the one that has to be persistent in encouraging him to dialogue with you about what he is being told, how he is processing that, and what are the logical contradictions to what he is being taught.

Thinking things thru is the best defense against blind obedience and brainwashing.

It also develops a good mind in examining all aspects of life.