teaching children religion?

Question

i think imposing your religious beliefs on a small impressionable child isnt right,why not wait till the person reaches say,18 yrs and then he or she can make their own mind up.?

Answer 1

I disagree. Religion is a big part of many people's lives. The kids will pick up on it anyway. Pretending it doesn't exist is just stupid. My kids will learn religion, and when they reach 18 and move out, they can decide if they want to continue it.

Even an Atheist will teach their kids their beliefs. Whether it's by actually sitting them down and saying, "This is what mommy and daddy believe" or through example in everyday life. Is this wrong? Not really, it's a fact of life. Religious persons do the same thing. No matter what, your kid will learn what you believe. They may or may not agree with you.

Answer 2

It depends on what you term as "religion". If you expect a child to follow you to church every Sunday, for example, and sit for an hour in a service, then this is not necessarily teaching them anything. I believe that religion means teaching a child to be a decent human being, whether you class yourself as Catholic, Jewish, Muslem, Hindu, Anglican or whatever...I don't think any harm can come from following some basic religious rites as long as the humanity is behind it. I am sure, at some point in time, that all religions have been guilty of teaching the wrong things some of the time.

Answer 3

OK, you've expressed your opinion, and not really raised a question, except rhetorically. But really, do you imagine anyone who has a spiritual life would not speak to their own children about that life? Do you feel it is wrong to talk about it at all, or is the relevant word "impose"?

No, I don't think adults should impose their beliefs on children. But there's a responsibility to tell the child about the world, and about your view of it, and to provide a moral upbringing. This most often involves discussing religious beliefs if you have them. Making it clear that the child will have a decision to make when he/she gets older is fine, but they deserve to know what Mommy and Daddy believe.

Answer 4

The only thing wrong with waiting until they are 18 is that the outside world will teach them religion. While I don't have children my husband and I have discussed reading stories from various religions and presenting it as some people believe this, other believe that. When they get older have a bookshelf with books such as by Charles Darwin, Richard Dawkins, the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Koran, everything and anything I can find, especially college level textbooks about world religions. That way they have equal exposure and can make up their mind when they mature. My husband and I don't share religious beliefs so this is also a way to us to resolve that conflict.

Answer 5

Surely the real issue here is that religion is one of the major vehicles by which we impart a code of social and spiritual decency in our [very] impressionable children.
At increasingly younger ages now they are being forced by society to deal with morally and spiritually challenging issues.
To whit, look at the explosion of young pregnancies, drug and other substance addictions, youth crime and general ABUSE OF OUR CHILDREN!!!
They need all the help they can get with generating self-worth and validity; the times that we are there to help them is one thing, but when we are not, they need the spiritual strength that religion can provide.

It is not necessarily which religion we teach them that is important; it is the fact that if we don't, someone else surely will.

For my part, I would rather they followed my example than that of the local pervert, extremist or drug dealer.

...but that's just my view

Answer 6

You could argue the same for any other subject, why inflict science on a child if they may grow up to be a fundamentalist Christian or teach them English when they may move to France and want to be french. Why teach a child anything lest they grow up and resent you for it.

I think you should teach a child about religion but also about tolerance to other religions and that they should be allowed to make up their own minds.

Answer 7

With that thinking then why should parents impose their dietary rules on a child? Shouldn't we let them eat whatever they want (pizza, cereal, candy, ice cream, more candy).

I mean I wouldn't want a parent to impose their beliefs about healthy eating on a child when they are small and impressionable.

Answer 8

You might be right but on the other hand, I and many others (maybe including you) were taught religion from an early age. When we were old enough to can think for ourselves we rejected it. That way we had first hand experience of what we are talking about.

My children go to church with their mother and they know my reasons for not going to church. They are now in their teens. Soon they will decide whether it's good for them or not. If they decide against religion, they will be more informed about it and their decisions will be well thought ones!

Answer 9

Parenting can be a difficult and harrowing venture, but one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things we can ever do. God has a great deal to say about the way we can successfully raise our children to be godly individuals. The first thing we must do is teach them the truth about God's Word.

Along with loving God and being a godly example by committing ourselves to His commands, we need to “Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again. Tie them to your hands as a reminder, and wear them on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:7-9). By figuratively following these commands that God gave to the Hebrews, we teach our children that worshiping God should be constant, not reserved for Sunday morning or nightly prayers.

Answer 10

No, the Atheists have each thing became the different way up whilst it includes theology!!! as a replace of youngster abuse for coaching them the be conscious, it may well be infant abuse to not coach them the fact and go away them liable to the lies of the worldwide (Atheists or in any different case). Jesus is the way, the fact and the existence. No guy includes the father yet via Him. John 14:6 maximum mom and father have confidence in warning their toddlers approximately issues like predators, a thank you to pass the line, and many different issues, however the warnings and fact regarding the be conscious God has given us is the main severe ingredient! What if a godly discern have been to die and go away a infant devoid of expertise? the toddlers have a top to renowned the fact. they are contributors of the human race too.