How should one raise a child with respect to religion?

Question

What should one teach a child, if one wishes his child to be tolerant of all religions and undogmatic?

At the moment, mountain_laurel1183 has given my favorite answer. I feel, however, that the answer isn't very thorough, and that the advice is very cliché. I don't want to select it as the best answer until I've given everyone a chance to flesh-out their answers, but I'll certainly select it if nothing changes in the next 36 hours.

Answer 1

there are hundreds of little books that you can do that promote peace and tolerance. I love Todd Parr's "The Peace Book." It is for smaller children. Then just talk about people as people. Answer all of their questions. Tell them that there are lots of different opinions about God, politics, and religion, and that one might be right, or more than one might be.

I think a good rule of thumb is to teach kids "how" to think, not "what" to think. So, if you hear something on the radio or tv, or wherever, ask your child about it. Take a devil's advocate position (make sure they are old enough, of course). Say something like, "Well, I wonder what the people who believe X would say about what we just heard." Or, "I wonder what someone else's opinion might be." This is what I think is terrible about education and parenting anymore: we teach kids what to think instead of how to think, and as soon as they hear another viewpoint, everything they were taught falls to pieces. Teach them to read lots and think critically.

Answer 2

The best way to teach is to do. Watch what you say while the child is growing up. Show then how to live by your example. Alot of parents let their children research the different religions and let them choose. Good idea. Then be supportive and loveing even if your child chooses something you may not agree with.

Answer 3

My parents were not religious at all - never talked about any religion AT ALL ever. However, when I was five and my friend went to vacation bible school, they were completely supportive of me going. Later as a teen, after many years of voluntarily attending a christian church, I began to question my faith and explore other religions. Eventually, I found my Faith belonged with the Lord. In all respects, at all times- they were totally supportive of me learning new religions so long as it did not interfere with my safety or health.

(Yes, I even became a vegetarian at one point!... but Lord help me, I LOVE bacon! Lol)

My suggestion is, allow your childs natural curiosity guide their way.

Answer 4

Wow, this is hard. properly, before everything, how is your husband resolving the reality that he's marrying somebody who is going to hell (in accordance to his ideals)? Does he think of which you are going to at last grow to be a Christian too, even nevertheless for now he's asserting that he respects your ideals? How are you getting married? in many circumstances a minister won't marry you except the two couples are Christians. How have those matters been resolved? if your husband is definitely a believer, then he's going to insist that your infants get Baptized interior the church and pass to church frequently and have time-honored guidance there. there is not any question approximately it and no compromising and no midsection floor. he will no longer choose for his youngsters to pass to hell (in accordance to his ideals). And if he is going to church frequently himself, then he would be getting quite some tension from different contributors too. i do no longer see a thank you to get around that. Are you happy with that? in many circumstances people who're loopy in love merely gloss over those issues yet then they grow to be a controversy later. I propose, sure, you ought to tell youngsters what you have self belief--you have as plenty good to try this as your husband has a very good to what he needs to do. nevertheless the different messages will confuse them. And what's going to happen in the event that they start to have self belief you, and reject the Church? Will your fiance be happy with that, or will he freak out? Is he the type of individual who believes very actually interior the devil and could think of which you're possessed or something (sounds loopy, i be attentive to, yet such accusations do happen). and you're saying you do no longer prefer to your infants to advance as much as hate you and inform you you are going to hell. So is somebody asserting that to you presently? How are your fiance's pals and kinfolk coping with the reality that he's engaged to an atheist? Do they think of you will at last "see the mild"? Are they telling you you are going to hell?

Answer 5

My parents are raising me ( I'm currently a teenager ) to whatever religion I choose to follow. My parents really don't care that much, but for now I consider myself agnostic because I believe there is a god and I don't choose to part my soul into a certain religion, but that is now. My mother is a Catholic, while my father is a Luthern Christian.

They always said, "When you are ready to choose a religion, we will be there to support you."

Answer 6

While hubby and me aren't religious, we expect DD to respect everybody's religion.
One thing that helped us, was to enroll her in a school with a lot of ethic diversity, one of her best friends is a little muslim-girl, and she witnessed her praying with her family and so on. It's a really interesting subject for her to explore, and our family is pretty diverse, too - atheists, catholics and protestants. DD is rather atheist, but respects other people's beliefs.
There are also childrens books available on the world religions, you might want to look on Amazon.

Answer 7

depending on the age of the child, you could get some childrens books that are stories of different cultures and religions. read them yourself first before you introduce them to your child. you can let them know your beliefs and let them come to you with questions. but i would suggest you not be afraid to show your own beliefs in your daily life. dont be afraid to be yourself. being non-judgemental as much as possible is probably a good idea and to teach your child about instincts. best to you all

Answer 8

interesting question...I suppose it depends on your own beliefs and perhaps how you were raised...I was pretty much raised without religion....My parents sent us to Sunday school to learn about the bible as a form of history...she thought it was important for us to know about it...she left it up to us as we got older to decide what we wanted,instead of brianwashing us into their ideas...but the lack of religion in our household pretty much made the four children religion free. I am raising my 3 boys the same way...I do not attend church or think about or talk about religion in any way...It is just not a part of our lives and never has been..We are a very moral and loving family...Do what your gut tells you...In my opinion religion has only caused problems in the world...Let them think for themselves...Good luck to you in your decision...

Answer 9

I grew up mostly in a baptist church, but my parents also took me to a episcopal church, a Presbyterian church, catholic church, Greek orthodox church, and many other kinds of churches so that I would experience all kinds. I like the episcopal church the best, but do not live close enough to go to one. but when I move out I will try to find an episcopal church to attend. if you let them experience all kinds then he will be a lot more tolerant of other people's beliefs.

Answer 10

my parents had me chose my own religon if i wanted to go to a church i was alowed to or any other religous places/ceremonies. Alow your child to exspolre many religions.