Religious kids... answer honestly...?

Question

I was just wondering, people who were brought up religious, do you actually believe in your religion? And to what extent?

I just turned 16 and have been brought up Roman Catholic all my life. The thing is, I'm not really sure I believe in God at all... I know that sounds REALLY bad but it's true =[

I have other friends who are Catholic, and some who are Protestant or Jewish, and a lot of them have said the same to me, that they don't really believe a lot of the stuff they learn but they go along with it anyway, and they will bring their kids up that way because they feel they should.

Also, do you/did you ever go to a religious school? I go to a Catholic state-run school and I know a lot of (non-Catholic) adults who are saying it is a waste of the government's money to run faith schools. Do you feel like too much of your school time was spent on religion? At primary school we spent a lot of time learning about our religion and going to mass. So we missed out on a lot of other stuff

I live in Britain. We have state run religious schools here.

Answer 1

I am a Christian but I was brought up Catholic and went to Catholic school thru 1st and 2nd grade - I was such an nervous wreck, that my mom took me to our family doctor, who told her that if she didn't get me out of that school, I was gonna get alot worse.(the doctor was also catholic -in fact, he was a member of our same church and donated to our catholic school - so it wasn't that he was just saying that because he believed in another religion or something)
So, I was put into public school, and went to Sunday school for religious education. To be honest with you, I learned nothing. I know that really well now, because for the past 35 yrs. i've studied the Bible's original manuscripts.
Catholic school taught the lie about the apple in the Garden of eden, and I think they mentioned the story of Daniel a couple of times, and that was it. We were told if we weren't good, we would burn in hell forever. When we had a math or english test, we were told we would fail unless we bought a little statue from them of the Virgin Mary for $2.00 - back in 1959 that was a whole lotta money, too. That meant your allowance for the next several months at least.
I know that my friend's daughter went to a Catholic school in the '90's, but she had to take her out of the school just because they didn't have the money to provide special reading if needed, etc. Alot of programs available to kids in the public schools, you can't get in the Catholic schools, just because they can't afford them.
Look, I know exactly how you feel; but there is a saying "don't throw the baby out with the bath water". That means don't dump your belief in God because of the Catholic school/church.
I haven't gone to church in 35 years, and have a great belief in God, I study His Word on my own, and even the three Bible languages.
The Bible even tells you that God himself isn't happy with alot of the crap taught and with the way the churches do things - Alot of the stuff they do isn't of God at all - its just the stupid ideas and traditions of man.
Alot of people - esspecially on this forum - will tell you that God is a fairy tale and not to believe - don't listen to them. God is not the problem here, the Church is the problem.
Hang tough; you are older now, maybe your parents will consider you going to public schools - tell them that there are so many more programs available there, and you would like to take advantage of them.
Then, you keep God in your heart, and don't let anyone take Him from you.
Bible says that when Christ returns, He plans to visit those churches first, and He is carrying with him a big iron rod. Guess what thats for!!!!

Answer 2

I was brought up Roman Catholic and I went to religious school from elementary through high school. I even went for a year to a R.C. college.

A great deal of time was spent in church and on religious studies.
In middle school I felt angry because we had no elective courses like shop, home economics, or advanced art. My school had no computer lab and a tiny library. Our gym equipment was very basic and our health classes were a joke. No band, & hardly any music instruction either!

High school was better, but there were few course choices.

My kids go to public schools and I prefer it. There is much more there to learn and the student body is more diverse. I know that they will be better prepared in college and life because of it.

Answer 3

Its not bad to question your faith - it helps to either cement your beliefs or to help you find something new. Keep questioning be sure about what system you run your life on its important. It is certainly REALLY bad to be half hearted and bring your children up to believe in something you don't believe in yourself.

I'm not sure about the whole faith schools debate - in my area there are a number of places where the only hope kids have is going to the faith schools because the others are so bad. However one of my nephews went to a catholic school (because it was the best in the area), his parents are atheist and he is very intelligent and he was put in detention for asking questions about why the dinosaurs came first or why they dies out. Valid questions that he really wanted to know the answer to but because it was bible study he was disciplined for being disruptive. If a teacher is too inadequate to answer questions like that they shouldn't blame the child.#

EDIT

To those confused Americans I believe she may live in England as do I - don't panic about your tax dollars because its tax pounds funding it.

Answer 4

A Catholic State run school? I know that the neo-cons have been able to sneak funds in for religious schools with the charter rules, but I've never heard of a state run religious school. If it exists, it is an absolutely offensive use of tax dollars to support a specific religion. If I lived in your community I'd be suing over misuse of tax dollars.

I will raise my children as Jewish although I don't believe any of it. I think it's important that they know aboutn their identity and culture...and that includes a background in what their ancestors believed, even if it seems silly to me. My parents were non-practising Jews...they are not at all religous....but I was Bar Mitzvahed because of the cultural identity aspect. With hindsight...I'm glad I was. I also wish I;d paid more attention in Hebrew School, as I've forgotten everything now.

There is nothing wrong with traidtion, but you also need to think for yourself. It's also very important to allow your future kids to think for themsleves.

Answer 5

I think it's ironic that you say you missed out on stuff because you spent time in school on religion.

(a) I don't know how long it's been since you looked at the SAT, TOEFL, etc. scores of public school kids versus Catholic private. The private are way, way ahead.

(b) I think questioning everything, including God, is a normal part of growing up. I hope you find your way back to Him.

Answer 6

I am religious, but I'm not a kid. As long as you're a kid, you will be heavily influenced by your parents and the society around you. There has to come a time when you question your beliefs and ask whether you really believe them or if they have been imposed upon you through collective brain feeding. Unfortunately, most people go through life without having the chance or the desire to analyse their beliefs. There are a few fortunate ones though who get the opportunity to review their beliefs and learn about others. They might then choose to convert or it might make their own belief stronger. With me, I have to say that my faith and belief has only grown stronger with time.

Answer 7

You're certainly not alone. A lot of people who are force fed religious doctirine spew it back up. I went to SoBapt school, those people were psycho! I attended sunday school, sunday morning and evening services. Wednesday night services, and to top it off 5 chapels a week to start off each day of religious indoctirnation. 9 sermons a week!
I was duped into"accepting Jesus as my lord and savior"(gag) at 6. My mom went up to sing in the choir and I was afraid of being alone and started crying. The pastor took advantage of the situation by making it out to be some cry for Jesus.
Fortunatly I found myself where you are. Questioning the existence of god, what's right/wrong, etc. I can't tell you which way to go, you can only decide that for yourself. But you will find answers, I have mine; and they work quite well. Certainly better than my parent's answers.

Answer 8

I was raised by a Lutheran minister being constantly told I was a leader, ha! We are not leaders by Gods cmmand, we are followers of Jesus and accepting that role will help you withstand all temptation. Your in school for the reason to serve Gods love and we will never be prepared enough without his help. I am 59 now and still argue with my minister dad about leadership for humility demands that we keep God first and in doing so can share with those who want Gods blessing. Be thankful that you are free to seek that ability to share which is not taught in secular schools. Your missing nothing worth losing the chance to learn about God.

Answer 9

I have been brought up religious through school though my family hold the same faith but not religious..
and I do truelly believe in my faith.. see, it makes perfecf sense for me..
I am a Muslim..and live in Saudi in a Saudi school..
Saudi's education curriclum has religion is part of it..so in a way the schools are religious...

Answer 10

people have been predicting the top of the worldwide for 1000's of years. presently after Jesus ascended to Heaven a lot of people waited for Him to return and almost starved to death. interior the early 1900's there became a team interior the USA that theory Christ became going to return on a undeniable date. maximum bought each thing that they had and spent each thing having a stable time till that date. They ended up embarrassed and detrimental the day after. there have been a lot of people international that theory the worldwide would end on would 12, 2005 simply by way the planets aligned. They have been incorrect too. As for this concept of 2012... Mark thirteen:32 yet of that day and that hour knoweth no guy, no, no longer the angels that are in heaven, neither the Son, however the daddy. Mark thirteen:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye understand no longer while the time is. we would desire to constantly purely stay our lives. Plan for college and your profession simply by fact in basic terms God knows while that is all going to end.