and let them learn about all religions and decide for themselves which religion they want to follow when they are adults?
2007-03-30 16:26:52 · 39 answers · asked by MsAdventure 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My family's religion is Catholic but I chose not to follow that for my children. We talk about all different religious beliefs but more as lessons learned than actual beliefs.
2007-03-30 16:37:10 · update #1
I have 3 sons ages 21, 16, and 12. My oldest is in college on a full 4 year academic scholarship and was always an exceptional student and all around good guy. My younger two are also good students and good kids. They have been taught responsibility and to treat others as they would like to be treated.
2007-03-30 16:48:54 · update #2
Spending time with them, listening to them, doing things they are interested in is most important.
2007-03-30 16:58:29 · update #3
No, it is not.
Raise your children with a good set of moral values, instill them with an awareness of religion, and encourage them to be faithful to their heart.
2007-03-30 17:50:23 · answer #1 · answered by Lawrence M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I didn't read all of the responses but I did read enough to see that the majority of people think that children should be raised with no religious beliefs. This is far from accurate. Refusing to give your child any spiritual instruction leaves a void in their lives that without guidance may be fill by unwholesome endeavors. Loving parents choose what they believe to be best for their children's future all the time. They make certain that their child has the best education they can give him, maybe even with a particular career in mind for them. Once the child becomes an adult, he may or may not choose the path his parents hoped he would. But it is an EDUCATED decision. Parents have a responsibility to educate their children in spiritual matters also.
2007-03-30 16:48:27 · answer #2 · answered by babydoll 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you should instill some beliefs in your children. Naturally, when they come of age, they will have to choose for themselves who to follow. But why would you want them to have to make a poor decision, especially in the type of world in which we live today? I don't know anything about you, but if you are a believer, you need to set down some biblical guidelines for your children. Remember what Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, HE WILL NOT DEPART FROM IT." (emphasis mine).
2007-03-30 16:41:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
That is how I was raised, and I'm glad because I feel that I have more of an understanding of other cultures and religions. I feel I am more open minded and accepting! I think it is a choice people can make for themselves and not be pushed into. Just becaus they are children, doesn't mean they can't think for themselves. And everyone who gives me a thumbs down just goes to show how closed minded you have become from being brainwashed. Thanks.
2007-03-30 16:31:51 · answer #4 · answered by Nikki W 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
my parents allowed me to search for my own meaning. My mom was Catholic and Dad was Methodist. I'm 51 yrs old. I went to Methodist and later took Quaker Sunday school. I went at it totally wanting to find joy in God and the meaning of life. I am not religious today, but I believe in a God and that all ideas and thoughts are from Man...God gave us free will, they say. I cannot help but to impose my beliefs into my child. I encourage that he seek his own truth, because I am only human and no man on Earth can know the mind of God.
2007-03-30 16:47:40 · answer #5 · answered by Ford Prefect 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was raised that way and I made a logical, and well thought out choice... instead of what happened to my schoolmates who were brainwashed from an early age and ostracized me (as they learned from their parents, no doubt) because I did not share their beliefs.
I'm an atheist, by the way. I chose to remain with no religion even after exploring all other possibilities.
2007-03-30 16:34:40 · answer #6 · answered by dmlk2 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think it is better, I am doing this with my children. I have two who are still little, but my oldest daughter is 18 and has been exposed to bits of many religions.
2007-03-30 16:36:38 · answer #7 · answered by curls 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it is called being a good parent. Brainwashing a child with your beliefs is abuse. I'll teach my children the basic precepts of the major religions, more if they want, and support them in whatever they decide.
2007-03-30 16:34:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. It's better to do that than have them growing up all their live basically being forced to practice a religion in which they have no interest in or don't believe. They should be able to discover religions themselves and decide what they think is right instead of their parents or whoever brainwashing them for half their life.
2007-03-30 16:30:04 · answer #9 · answered by Norah 6 · 4⤊ 2⤋
You can raise them with religious beliefs and as they age they will still decide for themselves. I raised my daughter with religion and she is the most well rounded young woman I know. I took her to church and as she grew older I let her decide what she wanted to do. She now has her own path to God.
2007-03-30 16:31:56 · answer #10 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋