For all: About children's beliefs. Would you influence your child's beliefs?

Question

If you had (or have) children, would you want them to believe as you do (as far as God and spirituality goes)? How would you influence your child's beliefs? What would you do if your child chose not to believe as you do?

And, would you be more proud of your child if he believes as you do (without question) or if he chose not to (based on experience or his own studies)?


If it isn't too much trouble--- please say whether you are Christian, atheist, etc.

Answer 1

i dont think that anyone can say that they wouldn't if at the very least subconsciously influence their children with their own religious beliefs. however, i would do my best not to impose my beliefs on my children, because it is really up to them to see what they believe in. if i tell them what to believe in, it would completely go against everything i believe in. I would want my children to be religiously educated, and tolerant, and figure out what works for them

Answer 2

I am a Christian, and one of the things the Bible distictly says about child rearing is, "Train up a child in the way it SHOULD go. (The child has free will despite the influence of strong faithful upbringing)When it grows old, it will not depart." (The child might stray from the influence of the faith it was raised by, but will never forget it). As long as my children are confident that the faith and worship system they eventually embrace is based on what "thus saith the Lord" instead just "thus saith Mom and Dad", I'll be happy that they found wisdom in God's Word and be confident that i did my spiritual duty to them as a parent.

Answer 3

i was born & raised a roman catholic but chose the path of science eventually.. though i'd still want to put my children in catholic schools as i have been yet my husband is an anglican christian & we both think that religion is just some sort of a bullshit form of politics designed to manipulate people.. if i had things my way,i would inform my kid/s everything good about my religion & my husband's then let him or her choose eventually..reassuring them along the way that it's their own belief so they can always run to science if they want real facts.. at the end of the day,they will find their way no matter how many times they get lost.. i'm only here for guidance & questions.. oh & the good part of religion if followed & translated rightly is benevolence towards everything & everyone.. one shouldn't be anything to get that straight.. heck you can be a jedi for all i care so long as you're not a psycho killer,i'm fine..lol

Answer 4

As an atheist who was brought up Roman Catholic (including two years at a English private school, studying the Anglican religion) and going to Catholic elementary, Junior High, and High School, if I had children I certainly would want to present all sides (religious and atheistic) and then the child can choose what they want. I totally would support their choice in what they wanted to believe. However I still would maintain my choice as being an atheist and my beliefs.

Answer 5

I'm agnostic and my fiance is an atheist. We have talked about how we would want to raise children since the wedding is not far off. We both want to raise them with good manors, self respect, and morals but there will be no religion. If they choose when they are older they want to be some religion we will support them. We just dont want to force feed them something when they are so young that they are still unable to think for themselves. If my child wants to be a gay pagan truck driver and they are happy good for them.

Answer 6

I would not consciously influence my child's beliefs. I would simply supply them with the means to find their religion for themselves.

I would be more proud of my child for believing based on his own studies. I wouldn't care what path they chose to take as long as they felt that was the right one for them and not because they were told it was the right one.

Agnostic/Atheist.

Answer 7

I think a child should wait until they are an adult to choose if they want to be part of a religion, a religion of their choosing. I am an athiest and if they chose to believe in some religion then that is fine with me, that is their choice, I gave them life but, they have the right to live the way they want to .

Answer 8

I'm Cathlolic, no childreen ... but I am a child all grown up.

My Dad (person who rasied me) was prodostant. He married a woman who was Catholic; and this got me baptized and confirmed Catholic. I didn't really bond with the "evil-step monster" (we're getting along now) ... but in hind sight, I wish I would have spent more time with religion instead of leading my 'secular' life style. Guess somehow, God had a plan.

Should I be blessed with a marriage & kids, I'd give them more education of God through Catholosmism.

Answer 9

i plan to teach my children about all religions, and let them decide for themselves what they believe in. that's how i discovered my path, and that's how i expect they will discover their's. i'm sure they won't beleive the same as me, but as long as they are good people i will be proud of them.

i am an eclectic atheist pagan, most influenced by wicca, shamanism, pantheism, & also by buddhism, panentheism, and others. (i pretty much pick & chose from all the religions-- i find that they are all different ways of describing the same basic thing)

Answer 10

I am a Pagan who was raised by verrrryy strict christian parents.
I have raised my son, who is now 16, largely without religion at all.
He has attended and participated in rituals with me, but I have always given him the chance to opt out if he wants. I know my path may not be right for him.
He is currently agnostic, and I'm fine with that.
Peace