If your son or daughter came home and told you they were going to join a religion?

Question

just out of the blue, which one would you put your foot down and insist they get professional help? And why?

Answer 1

I would. No daughter of mine will follow a man who has absolutley NO compromise, compassion and reason....Darn it! Straight to the Zoloft counter!

Answer 2

I believe in an individual's choice to thier own spiritual freedom, I wouldn't do either, unless I thought my child were involved in a real cult. If the child were going to join a regular religion, I might be hearing about it "out of the blue", but I would expect he or she probably spent some time thinking about it. Some of the posters seem to be thinking that you are talking specifically about your son or daughter joining a Christian church, is that correct, or are you talking about any religion?

Answer 3

Put my foot down.. no. However I would sit down and talk with them and ask them to explain the religion to me. That would give me a good indication of how well they understand it. Then we can have a discussion from there because the path they choose is their choice, myself I just want to make sure they feel they know what they are doing.

Answer 4

Religion has always been part of our culture, society, and part of our deepest inside ourselves. You can't avoid the fact that religion is the only answer, and help, that seems true and trustful. a therapist, or psychologist, can advise you anything, either good, or wrong.
sometimes, joining a religion is an act of love, sometimes, its because they can't find something in our society, and they know they'll find it in another spirituality. some religions are so much more wise and claiming peace. if the religion chosen is not extremist, or claiming for blood, death, and hatred, you let them go ahead.

Answer 5

A religion or a cult? I'd probably accept most standard religions. Would want an intervention if it was a cult.

Most religions would not advocate doing anything that would hurt my child. Many cults would try to hurt him/her.

Answer 6

None.

While I would sit down and discuss the differences in beliefs and scriptures of the many different religions, I would not try and sway my child from making his/her own choices. For those choices are his/her own to make and reap the consequences of... (whether those consequences are good or bad).

I believe that our life is our own choosing, and no one, but ourselves, has the right to make any decisions or judgements towards it.

Answer 7

I would sit down with them to discuss the tennants of there impending faith. I would ask tough questions and would want them to have answers that were thought through. If they were able to answer my questions with conviction, I wouldn't have a problem with it, even if I disagreed. If the religion persuaded them to separate themselves from their family, or hurt others I would do everything I could to stop it.

Answer 8

None. Religion is a personal choice. But my child would have to explain to me FROM THE BIBLE why he/she chose this way of life. If they can't do that, I would suggest they review their decision before making any major changes.

Answer 9

As long as it wasn't a cult - Jim Jones, David Koresh, Nikes & shrouds - I'd say they have the right to respond to the manner in which God has called to them.

Answer 10

From a parenting standpoint- I'm not sure there's much you could do.

If your child decided that they wanted to believe in the FSM, how could you really stop them?