if your kids ask if there is a God, is it ok to say "well, what do you think"?

Answer 1

Absolutely. Not only are you encouraging them to think for themselves, you are showing them that you are giving them the freedom to think for themselves, and not just be merely influenced by what others say.

You're great!

Who knows - the kids may even give better answers than you would expect!

We can learn a lot from them, too.

Answer 2

I have a 25 month old daughter who I know will ask me the same question as one of her grandmothers believes in god. When she asks Im not going to tell her what to believe. I am just going to ask if she believe, if she "yes" then I will let her believe. If she says "no" then thats up to her to. I think kids need to make up there on minds

Answer 3

If my child asked, I would tell her that everyone has their own beliefs, and they can be different from each other. I would tell her some people believe in God, and some people believe in a God but use a different name. Also that there are some people who don't believe in a God. I would then tell her that she can believe whatever it is she wants to believe, and that it's ok to learn about that stuff without being stuck to one specific belief or religion. If she asked what I believed, I would tell her I honestly don't know. I don't have a specific belief or opinion about that subject.

Answer 4

My child has asked me this question.
I was raised religious, but decided later in life that that just wasn't for me. My parents forced religion on me, and as an adult, I learned that a lot of my friends now had the same issue, and it turned them off to the idea of religion in many of them.
If you truly want your child to believe what they feel is right for them as they go through life, you should perhaps let them know the following (it's similar to what I told my own son when he asked):

Many people choose and need many different things in life. As you grow up, things sometimes get very tough, and a place to go to to talk about them can be a very good thing, and the idea of someone who watches over you can be a very good thing too. Some people believe in God, and that God protects you and guides you through all your hard times, and gets you to your good times. Others believe that different Gods provide different things in the universe and life, and even still, others believe very strongly that Nature and the world and universe themselves are in fact, forces that are like Gods and treat them that way too. There are some people who believe that there is no God and that life started from evolution, where we became human beings through science, time, natural selection, and the need to survive over thousands of years.
There are many ways many people choose to live their life. You will always have that choice, in order to find what YOU feel most comfortable with.
As long as you're a good person, and you don't tell others they are wrong for not choosing the same choice as you, I think you will live a good and happy life.

I hope my experience can be helpful to you.

Support your child's search for enlightenment. Don't dictate it to him.

FYI,
my son chose catholicism after discussing and learning about many religions. I am atheist, but support his right to LEARN and take him where he chooses to enlighten himself, whether it's a church function, mass, etc.

Answer 5

I agree with Amelia. To me that would be a No Brainer, because there IS a GOD! My children all believe in God because I told them from the beginning that God and Jesus love them. God has made a difference in all of our lives and none of us question that fact. If your child asked you if they stand on a train track and get hit by a train, would it hurt - what would you say: would you say "What do you think" - or would you tell them the truth!!!!! You children shouldn't always be given a choice to think for themselves, because we as the adults are the informed ones - for goodness sake, tell you child that God exists!

Answer 6

I'm a Christian....My child has never asked IF there was a God. She's 3 and has gone to children's church all her life so she KNOWS there is a God but if we didn't go to church and she asked that I would simply say 'Mommy believes that there is a God'.

Answer 7

I believe it is the parent's idea to guide their child. If you do or don't believe there is a God, you need to say so to your child. If you don't know, tell them you don't know. Don't be afraid of "brainwashing" your child; they'll make their own decisions when they are old enough. Your child is asking you because they are trusting you to give them an honest answer. Do not be afraid! :-)

Answer 8

I guess so. But your child was asking YOU if there was a god. I would have probably said I do believe there is a god and you should decide that for yourself. It is only healthy for the child to chose what they believe in right?

Answer 9

It just depends on what you believe and how you want your kids to be raised. If you believe in God then tell them what you believe and If you don't then tell them that too. Just say it to them in a way that they will understand and don't confuse them. Stick to one or the other.

Answer 10

Not unless you want the conversation to go on and on and on and on... They are asking because they treasure your opinion and your knowledge. I dread the day my kids stop asking me such huge and important questions. Just be honest about what you think, that's all they want. And it is definitely OK to say "I don't know honey".