Should we allow children to decide...?

Question

... on whether they believe in God or not? Considering the weight of evidence and common sense against vs school brainwashing and a parental desire to allow them to believe in Heaven?

Answer 1

we need to stop indoctrinating our children with untenable ideas that do nothing but stir up trouble every religion is mutually exclusive and therefore at odds with all others and we perpetuate the problem by indoctrinating our children one way or another and this builds up problems for their future it's just insane

Answer 2

Well the honest truth is that children DO decide whether or not they believe in God, they just don't always let their parents know their decision.

We don't give enough credit to kids when it's due and they're very intuitive, especially when it comes to these sorts of things. They may not base their belief on the pros and cons of the religion they're being taught compared to other religions, but they're still making their decisions. Now this is just an example, but if a child were to grow up in a religious yet abusive situation while being told God is punishing him, he's likely to have ill feelings towards God and that religion and though he won't express them to those abusing him, he will most likely dismiss that religion once he reaches maturity. If a child grows up in a religious household and witnesses his parents doing things that go against that religion, he's also likely to dismiss the religion so he won't consider himself a hypocrite as well. Just some small examples.

Answer 3

Have you asked your children whether they believe in God or not? What do they think?

Children raised in atheist homes will usually become atheists themselves, and children raised in Christian (or Muslim or whatever) homes tend to believe similarily to their parents. So parents views are hugely influential on their children - but if the parents don't tell their children what they believe, or if the parents aren't sure - then the child will be mainly influenced by the (secular) school/university institutions.

I think it's dangerous to leave your children to learn and decide about God entirely by themselves because they will be taught be society which is largely secular. It's difficult to find non-biased ways to learn about God/religion/spirituality, so that you can make your own choice. Your children deserve to hear what you think, but tell them also other people's views on it. Encourage them to choose for themselves what seems right to them. Maybe, if they are unsure whether God exists, encourage them to pray to God and ask "if you are real, let me know you" or something.

Answer 4

Husband, wife and children advice
Col:3:18: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
Col:3:19: Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Col:3:20: Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Col:3:21: Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Col:3:22: Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
Col:3:23: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Col:3:24: Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Col:3:25: But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
GOD BLESS

Answer 5

We should let them decide for themselves.

I'm not religious at all. My partner was brought up with a religion and still believes in some of it and her parents still practice it. We have a 6 month old daughter and I'll be annoyed if she gets any type of religion 'drummed' into her. I want her to be able to decide for herself and I'll respect her views.

I don't have a problem with religion, just the people who try to ram it down everyone's throat! I had religious education at school but was brouhgt up in a non-religious family and I chose my own way. That's the way it should be.

Answer 6

I dont believe in brainwashing children. Which i can imagine happens alot in religious households.
I will be teaching my daughter that there are many belief systems in the world, and she should not feel obligated to join with any of these unless she really does have a spiritual calling.
I think it is sad that so many young children are moulded in such a way that they are petrified of the 'firey pits of hell'.

Being young is to be free, to experiment,to make mistakes and to learn from them. Im quite sure that some religions would have the child feel guilty for experiencing things that are natural to us all.
Some children will hide things from their parents as they do not fit with the family belief system. I want my child to feel she can confide in me at all times, not to hide things because she is afraid she will be damned to hell.

We should let the child decide for themselves after they have seen the options available. And have looked at things from different angles (which is the parents job to show them)

Answer 7

Children should be allowed to choose their own spiritual beliefs, but only after they have been given a basic unbiased understanding of a cross section of different belief systems. It is more important for a child to grow up in a nurturing environment where they are taught by example to have good morals and ethics and will eventually be able to make an informed choice as to which, if any, faith they follow.

Answer 8

You can't "allow" children to believe anything. They have minds just as you do. I was raised Christian but never chose the faith until I was 20. Try as you might to do otherwise, you can only make up "your own" mind. All this nonsense about brainwashing is just sloppy thinking.

Answer 9

Allow them to decide??!! If they see that it is not important to YOU it will never be important to them. While you're at it, though, why don't you allow them to choose their own pediatrician and where they will go to school -- even from the cradle? There are some things that parents just have to decide for their children. I would choose membership in the church for my kids. Eternity does matter!

Answer 10

Parents have a duty to start children off on the right path to God.They may then leave it if they so wish, but that will not be the parents' fault. Look at what years of atheist parenting has achieved...a greater number of child muggers, shoplifters and thugs than has ever been known in this country before.

Answer 11

Well, parents have a right to teach what they believe and to raise their kids as they see fit. It's a foundation. But ultimately, the kid will grow up to make up their own mind.