I have been grappling with this one for many years. I question the benefits and "security" you can offer your children by teaching them there is a benevolent god and an afterlife for the good, while teaching them to live for today by the golden rule can suffice. Are we hypocrites if we teach our children to be faithful to a god that we ourselves are not sure exists? I brought my children up in the church but now have quit attending because I feel I no longer belong there--don't believe. Does anyone have concrete reasons to either go back to church with the kids or keep on teaching them the realistic/measurable approach to life?
2007-04-30 09:42:48 · 46 answers · asked by g2r5een 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Children are usually exposed to all types of characters such as Santa Clause, Easter Bunny, the Leprechaun. It's another example besides God. They are usually full of imagination and hope/faith... and I think it's the reason why parents still make-believe that they do exist until the kids get older and realize it's not true. Kind of like a tradition, just like religion. It's sort of a way to teach them some morals at a younger age. By the time they get older, that's when they decide their values by exploring and how they should live their lives.
but I do somewhat agree with you there, on the part where we questions ourselves... are we hypocrites for lettin' the younger ones believe there is such thing?
I was raised by my parents who are Buddhists. My mom is probabily more into that than my dad. I was raised to be good and kind to others and that's a kind of person I am. but just like other people who were born in the same generation as me, are exposed to all kinds of relgion and often we questions ourselves. Even without religion, I still believe that any parents with good morals can teach their kids that too as long as their open-minded and tolerate all kinds of relgions out there.
2007-04-30 09:57:37 · answer #1 · answered by Jess3e 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In the end the kids need to think for themselves and make their own decisions.
I question your idea of 'security'. Security over what? Teaching kids to live for the day is a major problem, even if you aren't particularly religious.
Your children will be confused if you don't believe and then tell them to believe.
How old are your kids?
If they are older why don't you ask them what they think. Don't just leave it to whatever answer they give. Why don't you go with them to the library and find books on different faiths, at least if they aren't taking part they can read into them and perhaps visit their places of worship as well.
Also, may I ask you what you don't believe. You said you feel like you don't belong there...is it that particular church or what? Also, maybe it's your concept of God that is the problem. For example, I believe in God and you hinted that you don't. Well, maybe if I heard your concept of God, I would agree and say I don't believe in that concept as well.
Anyway, there are other paths to God then 'the church'.
I don't see how living for the day is 'realistic/measurable'. It seems the kids would grow up to be greedy self serving people even with the Golden Rule.
2007-04-30 10:01:17 · answer #2 · answered by Sassafrass 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whether or not you believe in God does not change the fact that he does exist. Eternal life is the promise he holds out for you and your children. What does the "realistic/measurable" life have to offer?? Maybe 70-80 good years filled with no real hope for anything lasting? Try a weekly Bible study with Jehovah's Witnesses for yourself before you decide to trash the whole God thing. Perhaps, like 6 1/2 million of us and growing, you will recognize the voice of the Christ in what you learn and it will make a world of difference for you and your children. If not, what have you lost? If so, you will gain life everlasting and a hope beyond compare.
2007-04-30 10:06:51 · answer #3 · answered by Sparkle1 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You say you have went to church but decided not to believe.I can't imagine why, and since you didn't specify, I won't try. As for your children, since you know what the Bible says, and that without repentance of sin and a relationship with Jesus a person is lost and does not have eternal life,I would assume that you would want your children to have eternal life.If they grow to have faith in the Savior, and live a life that is Christlike and good, what harm could possibly be done. On the other hand, what if you're wrong, and your Children die without Him because you chose not to train them up in church. May God send his Holy Spirit to speak to your heart, and show you the truth. There was a time when I didn't believe also. I know that God can cut through this if we really want to know the truth.God Bless You!!!!
2007-04-30 10:00:17 · answer #4 · answered by BERT 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well I'm only 17, so no children for me. I don't plan on having any kids, but if I do I would not raise them to be atheist, or any religion for that matter. I'd make sure their well educated and a good well rounded person. If they decided to be atheist, christian, muslim, or any other belief I'll accept their decision.
2016-05-17 11:35:40 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Raise them to realize there are those who do believe in a god and those that do not. One is not better than the other. Some of the people who answered here addressed Jesus Christ . . . but there are other religions/gods out there too . . . is one religion, then, better than another? Teach your kids to keep an open mind . . . one day they will make their own decisions about their beliefs, regardless of how you raised them. With an open mind, hopefully they will decide for themselves while respecting the beliefs of others.
2007-04-30 09:59:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
One of the best reasons i can think of to bringing children to church is to help instill good values (sharing, loving, communication etc...).
however, I think it is important to teach children that many (most) people believe in a form of God. Educate them on what different religions teach and believe, yet also let them know that they can make up their own minds as they get older - and that it is okay to change their mind.
These are questions that we cannot know the answers to - at least not in this life - so it is normal to doubt, to question, or to not believe.
2007-04-30 09:50:53 · answer #7 · answered by FIGJAM 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Can anyone really believe that if we all went by the rules in the Bible or just by the ten Commandments that it would not be a better world? Even if you are a non believer you have to admit, people that go to church spend less time in prison and on drugs. And what if the Bible is right? Just maybe you don't want to pay the consequences. What is wrong with teaching your child about god? If they do not believe they will become whatever they want. And if really do believe it can only make them a better person.
2007-04-30 09:56:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
teach them how to think critically about the difference between belief and knowledge and let them decide. God can still exist unknown and unknowable. as an agnostic with deep beliefs rooted in Buddhism i have no problem believing there is something behind it all but i haven't a clue what IT is or what IT wants,if anything./ Also,i can honestly say that I don't KNOW that Christianity isn't true but i just don't BELIEVE it is.
2007-04-30 10:18:17 · answer #9 · answered by robertbobbybob 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Something must have happened in your life for you to stop believing. I have been there myself. But now I know that God was with me all the time and his plans are not always my plans.
I say "teach a child in the way he should go and when they are old they will not depart from it". The Bible says it, not me but I believe it. How many times has praying brought you comfort? Happiness? A closer feeling to God?
Don't rob them of the same. When they are older and times get rough they will need God's hand to hold onto like you and I always have.
2007-04-30 10:02:11 · answer #10 · answered by gabeymac♥ 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋