By trying so hard to get that person to believe in whatever you believe in that they "believe" in it only to please you. Or somebody going around pretending to believe (even if they don't realize it) in something for the sake of somebody else. (An example would be a child/teen believing in certain religion just because their parents believe in it.)
2007-05-14 15:44:25 · 34 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No, but you can touch their lives.
2007-05-14 15:47:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, there's nothing wrong with raising a child to believe certain things about religion. Religion, after all, covers all of life. How *would* a parent raise a child without ingraining opinions of religion in them? Even if you raise them to be skeptical, it is still an approach to religion, and thus by the definition you gave forcing them. The same holds true even for full-fledged disbelief.
We have similar problems in other areas. In schools, for instance, we teach children secularism. No, it's not a religion per se, but it includes a whole philosophy about the world, morals, ethics, and even religion itself. What, then, are we doing other than using the state to enforce our opinions?
We could list several areas of life. So, yes, there is a degree of acceptability. I don't think the government should force people into a particular religion (and to avoid this, I'd like to see a total voucher system), we shouldn't be lopping off heads, or anything like that. We will, however, always be doing a little coercion. It is both natural and healthy. It's part of being human, and it's a lot healthier than trying to do away with all the difficulties and gray areas, or even deny the problem all together, saying we shouldn't.
2007-05-14 15:51:21 · answer #2 · answered by Innokent 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I feel that no one should force their beliefs onto anyone else. As parents, you want your child growing up to believe in something. When they are old enough to make their own decisions, then it's up to the individual as to what they believe.
Forcing a religion onto someone is nothing more than bullying the person into believing something that they will never truly believe in there hearts. We all must be believe something.
2007-05-14 15:50:03 · answer #3 · answered by crazysnk18 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For my own kids I did baptize them into Catholic faith. I believed I made the best decision at that time for them.By bringing them up as Catholics they can see and hopefully understand why. For other people, you can talk about your religion. They can see how you are, how you carry yourself, whether you are the do as I say but don't do as I do type of person.In other words, it is like taking the horse to the water but you can't force it to drink..they have a right to pick and choose what to believe. I admit I would be disappointed if my kids chose another religion but starting in life you need some strong moral foundation and I am sure I made the right decision.
2007-05-14 16:03:03 · answer #4 · answered by tetris60 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most come to salvation by their own free will. Parents should be an example of what they believe in, but not force it on a child when they reach the age of accountability. It is any good parents job to teach their children of dangers up ahead. It would be to the parents grief, to allow a child to grow up without a firm foundation of the Father's love for them.
2007-05-14 15:54:54 · answer #5 · answered by Faith walker 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. People make up their own minds if they are going to believe in something or not. It's important if someone is reaching out for Jesus to assist them and even share the word of Him. But to the point where it's being forced or shoved down their throat? Heck no!
I'm not a Bible expert. I cannot give you the chapter or even the verse. I do read the Bible and remember a specific story where Jesus went back to Nazareth [His childhood town] and they wouldn't believe Him. He left. He didn't force them to believe because believing isn't something you can just force someone to do.
That's why I will talk about Him but never to the point where someone becomes uncomfortable. As for my own children, I'm raising them to be Christians. It will be their choice to go to church. It will be their choice what they believe in but for now--they pretty much believe what I do. I hope they stick with it [and pray] but they will have to find Him on their own someday.
2007-05-14 15:51:44 · answer #6 · answered by .vato. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Parents teach their children what they believe is right.
In my own experience, even though the kid may go through a period of rebellion, once he matures, he generally returns to the faith of his fathers.
Of course, these days we have a heck of alot of opposition. There are actually teachers in the public schools who openly try to teach their students that religion is all fairy tales.
As if they actually knew this to be true.
I would counsel parents who are concerned about their children's exposure to such nonsense to either home school, or put their kids in a private school.
That would seem safer, anyhow, given that public school is no longer safe. One never knows when some crazy kid might go off and shoot the place up...
Funny thing...that sort of thing never did happen, back when God was a welcome visitor in the halls of learning....
Hmmmmmmmm....
2007-05-14 16:45:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religious beliefs should be personal. Never forced on anyone. Children should be taught the religion of their parents, but not forced to believe in it.
2007-05-14 15:59:57 · answer #8 · answered by David G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No-people have the right to choose their own religion. Thats what the catholics tried to do to the protestants and look at what happened.
A child chooses the religion their parents are in olny because that is the only religion they are aware of. Grown they choose their own path...
TTFN, ta ta for now.
2007-05-14 15:55:27 · answer #9 · answered by Because I wanna know 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The civil laws of the land(don't kill, etc) are forcing our beliefs on other people. You think parents should go to church of their choice and leave the kids at home and never pass on your belief about God to them because they might "pretend to believe?" A teen doesnt think he/she should be home by a certain time, is that forcing your belief on someone?
2007-05-14 15:52:14 · answer #10 · answered by expertless 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. But a Christian should be concerned about people's souls and present the gospel to them in a loving way if he/she has the opportunity to do so. However, if a person tells them that they are not interested, they shouldn't bring it up again unless that person brings up the subject. Sometimes it is better just to pray for people.
2007-05-14 15:54:07 · answer #11 · answered by Cee T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋