Today in church there were several crying and whining children as well as a few around us who scooted up and down the row bumping into people who were there trying to pay attention to the sermon. When we left my husband complained that parents should either leave their children at home, stay home with them until they're old enough to sit quietly, or take them to the "cry room" out of consideration for others.
I argued that parents have the right to take their children to church, and indeed have a responsibility to teach them family beliefs, standards, and traditions, and if he is really a Christian he would be tolerant and patient and just focus on his own mind and means of worship.
He says I'm wrong and all parents are ******* who only consider themselves and the "universe of my child."
So, what do you think about all this?
2007-04-08 10:48:31 · 25 answers · asked by Pippa A 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I say there needs to be a healthy middle ground.
Yes, parents should do their best to keep their kids in line, but since church is for everybody, then they should not be made to feel unwelcome when they are having a whiny day.
To those whose experience was "ruined" because of the children in the church, remember, they are the future of your church. If you think they should stay home, then what incentive to they have to come back?
Think in 40 or so years, you will be worshiping in that quiet old church of yours, among the blue-haired crowd which is dying away one by one, without those pesky kids ruining your worship time or keeping that church going for another generation.
BTW, how very Christian of your husband to label parents as *******. Perhaps he should stay home until he's old enough to be considerate of others.
2007-04-08 11:48:30 · answer #1 · answered by thezaylady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must be Roman Catholic. This is what comes of not practising birth control. Only in the RC church do I see unruly children. Our church has a nursery for the young kids. And the rest of the time they are in a special class the same time the service is going on. Once a month we have a "family service" but the kids are mostly well behaved. Maybe because the parents are upper-middle class. I think that they teach their children better. It is rather un-Christian to not want the kids there, but I do understand. I hate lots of noisy children too.
And I agree with your husband and the person above who said that parents today do not teach their children correctly and expect that other people should just be tollerent. I think a little old school is a good idea... a child should be seen and not heard. It didn't hurt me any, and it teaches the kids how to appreaciate the quiet. I went to dinner today and these kids were jumping all around and even the adult in that family were jumping around. I thought "Great, a whole family of ADD people!". I am glad that they didn't get a table near us.
2007-04-08 10:59:27 · answer #2 · answered by tonks_op 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am an Atheist but I believe children should be exposed to all religions and be able to chose for their self which is right for them to believe in.
I think that with your religion and church you all consider a church "gods house" and everyone is welcome there. They have no right to keep kids out. However maybe your husband or you should try talking to people at your church. Most churches around here after a bible class for smaller children and some do two different times for church....they will have it at like 7 AM till 8 AM for everyone including kids...and from 8 till 11 Or whatever they have it for adults only and the kids are all in another room.
2007-04-08 10:55:58 · answer #3 · answered by larrys_babygurl_4life 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My sister is a born again Christian and a couple of years ago adopted a baby boy. She takes him to church and Sunday School. He is now 3 and an active part of the church.
HOWEVER, I can't help feeling that it is simply because he doesn't know any different and I feel a little sorry that he has not been given the opportunity in his life to find his own faith.
Sorry, just the way I was brought up.
2007-04-08 10:54:31 · answer #4 · answered by Rachael H 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think young children should go to church. It helps them build a foundation for the rest of their life. If I hadn't gone to church in my early childhood I'm not sure where I'd be now. I especially like the set-ups for younger kids so that they are around kids their age and are still learning. I'm LDS. We do something called Primary, which is basically Sunday school for younger children.
2007-04-08 10:54:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course children belong in church. It's wrong to keep the word of God away from anyone. However, I do think that people should teach their children to be quiet and respectful. If your church has a children's church people should take them there where the enviornment is more conducive to their interests and attention spans (where they can still learn about God)
2007-04-08 13:03:44 · answer #6 · answered by kimicub1991 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the Catholic church there are masses for all. We all need to bring our children to learn and we have to teach this. Your husband needs to pray for patients while being around these children for Jesus so loves them. Your husband could go try different times for mass and maybe one of those might have a lot less children attending. Be ware that a children's mass is full of them. I go to church alone and I am 48 and I so love looking around and seeing all the children even when acting up. I Think Your Husband Needs to go Speak with your pastor about forgiveness.
2007-04-08 10:57:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
A lot of churches have a special Childrens Church to solve this problem. That way the adults can enjoy a quiet service, while the kids learn about God in another room/builing.
2007-04-08 10:52:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
How are they ever going to have faith in God if they are never in church to learn about it! We as adults are being looked to as examples of Christ. If we don't show a good example then what are the children going to grow up to be! I know in our church we have children's church where they learn to worship in a more kid friendly environment! We also have Sunday School for the rest of the children who aren't in this. We do 1 story a month and they learn it in different ways such as storytelling,cinema,games etc. By being exposed to this they learn about God more and really know there Bible! If we didn't have children in church the church would die!
2007-04-08 12:52:43 · answer #9 · answered by G.W. loves winter! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most churches have nursery's or children's church I understand today is Easter, but I feel if they are disrupting the service, the parents should bring them out until they calm down.
It also distracts the Preacher when he is trying to give God's message.
I might be wrong, but that's how I feel.
2007-04-08 10:58:00 · answer #10 · answered by Spoken4 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋