Should your child choose whether or not to practice religion?

Question

---


Many people say that when it comes to the Faith, it should be up to the child to decide to be baptized or to take instrcution|

But let me ask you this| Do you give the child a choice as to whether or not to go to school, whether or not to practice the proper hygien, whether or not to eat, or to practice manners?

There are all sorts of things you impose on your child, and you do this sort of thing since the day he was born|

Why is religion somehow different?



---

Answer 1

* I have no problem with parents teaching their children their religion, but I have a problem with gran parents and neighbors and other relitives feeling they have a right to indoctrinate children.*

Answer 2

You speak of religion in the same catagories as school, hygeine, eating and manners.

Religion is different to all of those.

If you are given a good education, how to look after yourself, eat well and behave in a civilised manner then you can prosper in the world and be a positive and productive member of society and your community.

If you take away any of those then either you ar your community are diminished in some way. This is not the case with reigion.

A happy, productive, contributing, fulfilled and fulfilling person generally needs all of the things you mention. They do not always need religion. It's their choice.

Answer 3

Conducting your household in a Christian manner is exactly why entire households were baptized in the New Testament. You are not wrong. Reformed and Presbyterian churches see baptism as a continuation of circumcision rites in the Old Testament, only the administration of it has been changed. The logic includes exactly what you're saying, although in those times women as well as servants likely held the same social status as infants.

Answer 4

Why force your child to believe in something that they just don't believe? If your christian or jewish and your child believes in, say, buddhism, why force your child to give up their beliefs? It just fuels the fire of rebellion and when they get old enough to be on their own, they're going to do what they want anyways. I think that my child should be free to believe what he thinks is right. Even if I nor my husband believes in it.

Regarding school, hygene, and food, etc...
There are plenty of people who do choose whether to do these things, whether we like it or not. Many students don't go to school. I see many students walking my street at like 10 in the morning or 2 in the afternoon when they should be in school. There are PLENTY of people out there who do not practice proper hygene. Some just plain stink. Anorexics choose not to eat, and there are plenty of rude people out there. Everyone chooses everything. Not everyone practices everything religiously. (no pun intended)

Answer 5

Not if they are under my roof, once they get out on their own, then it will be up to them. I raised my 2 kids under my beliefs, & now they have a family of their own, No, they don't go to church, But who do they call when they want prayer, Their Dad, because they never forgot how Daddy try to teach them about God.

Answer 6

My children come to church with us every Sunday. Sure, we make them go, but fortunately, we don't have to force them. They love it, and look forward to going every week. The bible says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and he gets older, he will never depart from it."

Answer 7

My children are my children. I make decision for them everyday and believing in Jesus Christ is the best decision I can make for them. A parent does what they feel is right for their children and if I didn't teach my children about Jesus, what kind of parent would I be.

Answer 8

It is not different. When he gets old enough then he can decide for himself, but until then it is up to you to guide him.