Just wondering. My sister disagrees, wants my nephew to learn everything about religion but is ok with not forcing him for any career or even some cultural choices.
I would ask, why won't you let them learn about religion when they are old enough?
2007-04-11 11:15:42 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
By the age of 11 my daughter has traveled to Thailand, Nepal, India, Tibet, Kenya, Tanzania, the Amazon rainforest, Machu Picchu, Tikal, visiting sacred places in each part of the world. She knows the basics of Christianity, Islam, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Amazon shamanistic and ancient Inca and Mayan beliefs.
As a result I never had to teach her to respect my atheistic beliefs. Of her own experience and by her own decision she can see that although many claim to have the "only" truth, it is a patently absurd claim.
2007-04-11 11:25:08 · answer #1 · answered by Dendronbat Crocoduck 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm puzzled. Do they not have religious education where you are? Don't children get taught about religion anyway?
Here in the UK all children follow a National Curriculum which included this as a formal subject. In my daughter's school they have studied most of the world's major religions and festivals. This seems quite sensible to me. Religion plays a part in many people's lives and in the cultures of many nations, so on this basis I think it should be taught.
Perhaps you mean should parents teach children their own beliefs? Well, I think if you are the sort of person that goes to church, temple or mosque then it'd be a bit odd too exclude your children.
What I think is a problem is if your children don't choose to follow your particular beliefs when they are older and you take offence at this.
Didn't Kahlil Gibran say
"Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but are not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts".
.
2007-04-11 12:38:45 · answer #2 · answered by Nobody 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do you consider 18 old enough?
Should they not learn about current affairs, world history and government until they can vote? Don't teach them any rules of the road until they get their license? IMHO, my children were taught when they were old enough to understand, a little at a time. You have to prepare them. It helped them deal with peer pressure, making choices about music, tv shows, clothing, etc. They had a leg to stand on when confronted with some garbage that is in this world today. When they were old enough, they chose to be baptized.
May God Bless you.
2007-04-11 11:26:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have taught my children that there are all sorts of religions in the world. We try and discuss bits of all mainstream religions, just so they know. What they choose will be their choice when they feel they are ready. I saw the struggle my husband went thru as he was baptised at a very young age, and yet does not agree with some of the virtues of christianity, and chooses to not follow the typical path of christianity. I think religion, like voting and drinking should be against the law til your 18 :P
2007-04-11 11:20:24 · answer #4 · answered by Lela 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I taught my kids about a lot of different religions, it was their choice whether they decided which one was right for them or not, which cultural choice may fit into their world and work for them.
I am not a religious person myself but adult children should have a choice. I don't think a child should be brain washed into believing anything that may go against their grain.
As it turned out they all chose to believe in themselves rather than in a God.
2007-04-11 11:27:56 · answer #5 · answered by Wise One 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't have kids nor do I plan on having any but my personal stance is that children shouldn't be forced into a religious path. I would just leave the child's options open until he is she is old enough to decide for him or herself and expose them to as much as possible in the meantime, as soon as they are old enough to understand it all of course. Let them follow their own paths, find out what resonates with their own hearts. Let them choose for themselves, which is a novel thought.
2007-04-11 11:20:25 · answer #6 · answered by Abriel 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Will the public schools agree not to teach them anything *against* religion until they're 18? I think not.
2007-04-11 11:28:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous Lutheran 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Of course not!!!! Do I bring my kids home from the hospital and not feed them?? Do I let them make up their own minds....say...chocolate cake and Coca Cola for breakfast...? Or do I tell them about good nutrition and cook them oatmeal and fruit?? Spiritually, it's the same concept.
It's a parents obligation to teach the truth as they understand it.
2007-04-11 11:20:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
if you think YOUR kids aren't old enough to understand until they're 18, that's your prerogative...my kids are a tad brighter and more mature than that, i guess...when they are old enough to ask questions, they're old enough for the answers...and you need to remember that there's a world of difference between teaching them about 'religion' and forcing it on them...sensible people know the difference
2007-04-11 11:33:56 · answer #9 · answered by spike missing debra m 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I wonder what people who would promote not teaching about it would do when the kid ASKS about it, long before 18...
2007-04-11 11:21:48 · answer #10 · answered by RW 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋