Should a child be allowed the right to chose their path in life in all things and not just regarding religion?

Question

I often see answers in here that children should not be taught, or forced to believe in any specific faith, especially Jehovah's Witness, but should not this apply to all things where a parent's point of view is being fostered onto a child?.

Should children not be taught or forced to believe:

That democracy is better than communism, socialism, fascism, etc.?
That all people are equal, rather than by birthright, some are more deserving?
That coveting thy neighbors possessions or spouse is wrong, instead of the more powerful taking what they desire and deserve?
That sexual activity for the very young is wrong, but okay for adults?

There are many things that we impress upon our children that is based on our personal opinion and/or beliefs. Many of our laws, such as incest are based religious beliefs and with current preventative technology on reproductive health, many are coming to believe that it is no longer needed or wanted.

So, should a child be allowed the right to chose their path in life in all things and not just regarding religion?

Answer 1

God's Word teaches that minor children must obey their parents in all things (except those which disobey Christianity). God has authorized each family head to decide what personal decisions his minor children may be permitted to make for themselves.

(Colossians 3:20) You children, be obedient to your parents in everything, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.


The Scriptures plainly teach that as long as a minor child has at least ONE faithful Christian parent, that minor child has valid hope for salvation despite any and all failings of the unbelieving parent.

(1 Corinthians 7:14) For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in relation to his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in relation to the brother; otherwise, your children would really be unclean, but now they are holy.


Of course a godly parent would work incessantly to train her children to gain spiritual maturity so that the child could himself choose to one day (perhaps by his early teens) make it clear to the unbelieving parent that the child now intends to "obey God" when any human command seems to conflict the child's growing sense of his own responsibility to godly standards.

(Acts 5:29) We must obey God as ruler rather than men.

(Matthew 10:35-37) For [Jesus] came to cause division, with a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a young wife against her mother-in-law. Indeed, a man’s enemies will be persons of his own household. He that has greater affection for father or mother than for me is not worthy of me

Answer 2

children should be brought up to question. the bible says believe like childre. Have you ever watched a six-year old? They ask tons of questions. At the same time, if you think you're on a good deal you should teach your child about it and if you are christian they are sanctified through the faith of the parent anyway, till they can make their own minds up

Answer 3

Trust me , I'm 11 , and I can back down from god anytime that I want 2 !!! Nobody forces me to love god , I just do ! U really need 2 figure these thingz out , because that iz a idiotic question. We ll have freedom , and we can choose what to do and what ot to do. I am choosing the right path , what about you ?

Answer 4

The nature tells us that all being need guidance.So nature has provided parents to all living creatures but as far as divine guidance is concerned God has undertook to provide it Himself.The are to accept the guidance in all worldly matters except in case of divine matters where the guidance should be reflective of directing to the path leading the will of God and this can vary man to man.

Answer 5

Yes, eventually, at the time they become an adult. In the meantime, they should be taught right in all things. We should teach children that one day, they will become adults and will at that time be expected to make such decisions in their lives. These decisions will include all aspects of life.

Answer 6

One should raise his children always to question.

To continue to seek out new information and think on their own.

When I was younger my father once told me something that I will remember for the rest of my life.

"If I had done to you what anyone else did it would be called brainwashing, but since it was me its called parenting"

I am a very different person than my father. My beliefs, my goals, and my direction are very different.

but he was the one to set down my core values and allow me to grow and mature into the person I am today.

A true parent is not the one who raises children who are carbon copies of their beliefs, but ones that guide their children in setting their own.

That is what my father did for me, and what I plan to do for my family when the time comes.

Answer 7

Most religious teachings that you listed are simple moral values that we should know,
but religion should be taught in a household, and if a child goes a different path, then let them figure whom they are.

Answer 8

Children need guidance, but they need freedom to see all the possibilities and to choose there own path, not one way of thinking but to have many options and possible out comes put to them.
My children and many others, have made bad choices, and i have known, but allowed it to happen, as then after a while they have found there way back on track, with guidance and understanding, and wiser, that's called growing.
they can't choose there own way just yet, as they are a danger to themselves, but need to have freedom to learn from mistakes.
No ones point of view should be forced on to young minds, but all ways should be discussed, so not to tell your child, red is the best colour, only wear red, but to say, i like red, it goes well with black, but at times i like green, and white or yellow to wear also! then the child will understand that it is OK for him to like purple, but not to worry that his friend wears blue!
We need laws to control or there would be hell let loose so to say, you cant have every one just doing what they want, theses laws need to be kept by all not just children, and so they are not forced as such, but let know that to follow a better way, is best, as if you are a boat going up river it will be a harder job to row against the current, that is not about following religion or others ways, that's about survival in groups and getting along.
Most importantly they need to be able to love, to love you, to love themselves, and to love others, and to not be afraid to show love! (and we are not talking sex) we are talking human love from the heart mind and soul, spiritual love!
(not of god)
of innerself.

Answer 9

Hello Papa Bear,
Children should not be allowed to choose Not to go to church or synagouge, Mosque, or wherever with their parent(s). (As lng as it doesn't involve child abuse). As parents, it's our responsibility and privilage to raise our children in a manner we deem necessary and productive. The legal age in most states I believe is 18 year old. Our kids are just going to have to follow their parent(s) rules until they are legal age to make their own decisions. ~)~

Answer 10

Though i agree with your Sir, but i think parent guidance should be there with them..........Parents should tell them the circumstances of everything and then let them to choose it !! because you see Parents are more expereinced than kids and they know the world more...... things should not be imposed on kids but they should be let to choose it after knowing what can be the possible outcome of this act !!and in that parents can guide them !