do you tell your children what to believe?

Question

or ask them what THEY believe? after all children are closer to God/creator, and they have not been brainwashed by society for its own ends, dont you think they can teach us something?

Answer 1

Children do have wonderful insights and often shed a completely fresh light on a difficult topic. When my children ask me questions, I tell them what I believe and why.

Ultimately, it is their choice to make-- they will need to make their own decisions. But if you tell them why you believe what you do, you are giving them something to work with.

Once, my 6 year old misplaced his beloved stuffed puppy. We went 4 days without Puppy, and he was frantic. I prayed for guidance, because asking God for help has always been so effective for me. I still couldn't find Puppy. And the thought came to me -- my son has the same relationship to God that I do. He is just as receptive to the thoughts that God is sending his way. I realized I didn't have to be responsible for finding Puppy. My son could listen to God too and expect to find an answer. The very next morning, my son found Puppy.

Answer 2

It is a parent's responsibility to guide your children. God instructed us in His Word. The parent is to give the child the foundation.

But, every child will reach the age of accountability, and they will have to decide for themselves what/what not to believe in.

There's no brainwashing here, because everyone reaches the age where they question and doubt, no matter what the age.

Answer 3

My son, from birth, has been raised in a very devout Latter-Day Saint household. We go to Church every Sunday, say our prayers and read our scriptures every night, have Family evening on Mondays where we have a devotional, go to Bible Study twice a week, go to a Christian get-together group (bands come and play, there are refreshments, talk about Christ, etc.) once a week, and a "Core" devotional (nondenominational) once a month. To say that my son has not been exposed or "taught" what to believe would be silly.

However, I am not going to force my views on him. When he gets older and can actively participate in discussions, I will be happy to hear his views on the matter. I'm certainly going to teach him what our familiy believes, and what his ancestors have believed before him, but I also believe it's important to expose children to the religions of the world. I don't neccessarily celebrate, but certain remember and discuss, Jewish holidays, African holidays, etc. I think it's fun to put a "global" perspective on religion, even if I don't believe in them myself.

Kids need to be educated about the world, or they will be narrow-minded. I hope my children retain the same faith that our family has, but I will love them no matter what they choose in their life.

Answer 4

I teach my children how to reason, and they have become leaders of all they encounter. They will be hiring and firing and capitalizing on all those enslaved minds due to being taught there is a supernatural world. As I do, do you think I have time to write on this board, because I'm poor?

Answer 5

I would teach them about the different religions of the world as evenly and Unbiased as possible, including the values of atheism. it is then up to them as they will be able to make an informed and a rational decision. I think its important not to force one religion on to a child. its unfair and will give them a biased view of the world.

Answer 6

Yes I tell him what I believe. He has chosen to become a follower of Christ on his own. Although his father and I do give him explicit direction on appropriate behavior as we believe it our duty to get him to adulthood, safely with sound reasoning skills, and the appropriate guidance to make good and right decisions.
All based on the sure foundation of the Word of God.

Answer 7

Children are parrots. They will repeat whatever they hear, whether it was directed to them or not. As parents are generally the people children spend the most time with, they tell their children what to believe (or not believe) by default.

Answer 8

Having a christian husband while being an atheist, my kids have already been exposed to both sides of the issue. Plus my sister is pagan. If they ask questions, I answer them. They occasionally go to church with my neice. I constantly tell them to question everything (from religion to the government). I don't want them to blindly believe anything. I want them to find answers for themselves because they have to make their own choices.

Answer 9

I teach my children what to believe .If I don't who will?
Yes I also beleive my children teach me all the time on things such as patience,love,acceptance,understanding,all people are different and have their own veiws...and I am hoping all are doing their best

Answer 10

no, but i do tell them what to do. i teach them values through our jewish religion - that is my job as a parent and as a jew. i think how they understand those values spiritually is their business. the thing is, it does not matter what you believe in judaism, only what you do, if you live a jewish life (holidays, culture, etc.), and if you take responsibility for your actions and treat others fairly, you can be agnostic (i am) or even atheist and still be jewish. i do think kids are very "tuned in", and it's interesting to really try to hear what they are saying spiritually, but when it comes to values i just can't see that those things come naturally for most kids. just ask any 2 year old to share a toy they are playing with without getting something out of it, and it becomes obvious that we share because it is what we are taught! i am not saying you can't teach values without religion, but for me personally, it helps.