As a parent, would you be pleased if your child/children became Christians if you weren't?

Question

And if it had no impact on your home life, other than the child spending (more) time at church and reading the bible and praying before bed in their own time?

For the record, I am a child (well, decided when I was 15, I am 17 now) who has decided to follow Christ, however my parents, or my dad in particular, had shown much discontent towards my decision. However, I believe that my faith has changed for the better and has revealed talents to me that had yet been undiscovered before going to church.
I just want to know what parents would think. I personally do not see the big deal!

Answer 1

If I wasn't a Christian and my and my children became Christians. I like to think that I would accept their belief structure, and the right to make their own choice. However, it would depend on whether they were mainstream Christians, or right-wing Evangelical style Christians.

I think if they were Evangelical style Christians, I would be upset because I know then my children that would be constantly after me to be saved and to accept Jesus into my heart, which would really annoy me all the time and make me angry.

I guess I should be more tolerant, but I know myself. I couldn't stand the stupidity of it all. And I would be annoyed.

Answer 2

I have a 4 month old son; and I would be concerned if he joined a church in the mainstream. No matter the denomination. The sad truth is most so called Christians don't study the truth, they just base their beliefs in what they are taught. I am a Christian, yet I do not go to church because I have yet to go to one that teaches the truth; like for starters that Cain is a product of the Devil and Eve having sex in the garden of Eden

Answer 3

The only way it would be a big deal to me is if you were unchristian enough to make me feel you were a better person than me which would decidedly be very UnChristian besides disrespectful. As long as you Honored thy Father and Mother as the Bible says I'd be Happy-but remember arrogance is an ugly trait in anyone-Your father feels left out of your life-and he'd feel that way if you found religion or communism Parents don't always like being left out

Answer 4

Children do not deside to be Christian or any other. Adults deside for them by what they do and teach. If a child desides to become something you do not want or like then you have allowed another adult to influence them too much.

Beware of what grand parents teach. Many times they undermine what you teach. Yes they mean well but you should be aware of what they say and do.

If children are cared for by another while parents work then again the influence is from another adult and might be contrary to what you would want.

So to answer your question I would say that if a child wants to be Christian and you would prefer not then take a good look at yourself.

Answer 5

Ugh. One of the reason I'm not having children is that I just *know* that they would pull a stunt like this at puberty, as part of the rejection/independence thing. And then I'd be forced to strangle them - which is illegal in some countries, apparently.

After all the education in the Scientific Method, verifiable evidence, repeatability and everything else I'd have given him/her/it, too! I'd have taken herm to the Natural History Museum and the Royal Society to hear lectures by Dawkins and everything! And then e throws *this* in my face! Just you wait until your mother gets home, you little swine - she'll marmelize yer!

CD

Answer 6

basically, how did they find out about christianty and also why? I mean how old is the child and is it affecting them in a negative way? or is it positive?

While I don't believe in any religion. It allows for structure in a seemingly senseless world for some people?

So what I would ask in this situation is a number of questions.

First
Why do you feel/believe/think you should/shouldn't be pleased?
How did this conversion come about?
What do you feel/think/believe about christianty and why?
Can you explore this with your child?
Can you explore this with yourself?

at the end of the day this is something you should talk about with your kid, no matter how old and this is something you should also possibly accept about your child no matter how you feel because this will drive a wedge between you if you approach this in a negative or overly assertive way.

As you child why they believe? ask them how does this belief make them feel? Ask them where do they want to go with this belief?

In other words if it bothers you or if you feel there is something to be worried about view this a way of creating some communication with you and your kid so that you can have a stronger relaitionship and better understanding of each other. This should guide you into happiness about whatever outcome arises.

Answer 7

Jesus said in the Gospel of Thomas:
"16: Jesus said, "Perhaps people think that I have come to cast peace upon the world. They do not know that I have come to cast conflicts upon the earth: fire, sword, war.

For there will be five in a house: there'll be three against two and two against three, father against son and son against father, and they will stand alone."
There is a saying. It is; "you can lead a horse to water, but making it drink is another mater". Therefore, it is my view that one should keep one's religious views private (unless your father or mother ask you about them). For bringing enlightenment to somebody is a form of Charity (ie giving someone something for which you expect no personal reward). Christ said: "If you give alms, do not let your left hand see what your right hand is doing". Therefore, do not be seen to flaunt your faith to those whom are not ready to hear it.

Answer 8

As long as it wasn't rampant tub-thumping christianity I wouldn't give a fig. I'm not much of a christian myself, but it seems that a lot of the answerers forget that christianity is actually one of the foundation stones of western civilization and not some dangerous fringe cult!
Also, as a parent I think there are a hell of a lot more scary things out there than christianity - drugs, violent computer games, HIV, rampant consumerist cynicism... the list goes on.

Answer 9

Spiritual guidance that helps someone through their life is never wrong. If the kids want to believe in christianity and pray I dont see any harm. The only snag I can see is that if the parents are not christian, the children will have to have full access to the church for the answers to the questions they will certainly have unless the parents can be supportive and help educate their children on christianity. I myself would find it very hard.

Answer 10

I'm a pagan too. And I'd have to say if they with through the same soul searching as me and came up with any religion at all wether it be christianity satanism judaic or anything in between. Good on them. if they come up with atheism I would treat them the same way as I do their father (in regards to theism only by the way!) long talks on possibilitys and science.
I sincerely love when people have a belief, understand it, enjoy it and follow it completely without pushing others "just to try" it.