Why do parents force their religion on their children?

Question

Nobody knows anything and it should be up to the child to decide what they will believe when they are old enough and mature enough to do so. They don't need to be brain washed their whole life about something nobody knows anyway. Now you want to know what I believe, but that is irrelevant.

Answer 1

I don't understand it either. I do understand raising them around what your lifestyle and beliefs are but if they grow up and change their minds, why would they disagree with it. I'm not saying that all parent's do this but I knew someone that went through it. He was raised to believe like Jehovah witness's but ended up not going that way when he got older and the parent's didn't like it and treated him different. That's where unconditional love comes in! Who cares, love your kid and there own individual choices whether you agree with it or not.

Answer 2

When you say it like that, it puts the parents in a negative light. However, lets look at this from the parents perspective. Most religions have this theory about an "imortal soul" that is inside all of us and that when a person goes astray from his/her religion or simply dosn't believe in said religon, that soul ,once leaving the body through death, goes to hell. With this in mind, we can say that the parents only want what THEY think is right and that they want to save their child from an eternity in hell. In my opinion this is ok. But from a political point of view, it would seem that the child didn't have very much to start out with. Now for the reality. A child usually will believe what ever religion his/her parents have, yet that doesn't mean it'll be that way forever. I've met many people who stoped believing in their parent's religion and it was when they were older when they decided to stop. Im a Christian, born and raised, and I feel like I turned out great. But im all for fairness too. My final advice is that you don't really need to worry because as soon as a child is old enough, the opportunity to change will most likely come.

Answer 3

I was brought up to believe in God. However, when I got old enough - it was my decision when I got baptised. I was nineteen. It wasn't like I was two and everyone said "look, you're gonna be a christian.. Go get baptised. I'm forcing you!"

Parents would just like to teach their children to believe what they believe. There's not anything wrong with that.

The child will grow up and then decide on their own if they want to continue to follow that belief, or find a new one. I've known plenty of kids who were brought up christians, then turned into atheists.

Answer 4

Why do you think you see the matter in that way?
Do parents really force religion in there children?
Note this bible text:

"You must inculcate [God's commandments] in your son and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up."—Deuteronomy 6:7.

A certain book argues that children primarily absorb the values of their peers, not those of their parents.

There is no denying that peer pressure is a powerful force to be reckoned with.

If we dont give our children the love, care and the spiritual need they must have, they will get other from there peers.
There comes an age where they will be responsible for there actions, but till then the bible says as parents we must guide them through bible principle.

Note this last text:

Gen 8:21.
21 The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though [a] every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.

See the inclination of youths, teenagers, childrens, it needs to be guided.
Here are links to more info:

Answer 5

Why do you say your parents are forcing you to believe in their religion ?
Why do you say nobody knows anything ?
Who is being brainwashed ?

I know you don't believe your parent about religion. That's irrelevant !! You say nobody know anything. Do you ever know what the word irrelevant means ?

Your parent aren't forcing you to believe in their religion. They are only trying to teach you about " GOD ", and to be on the right path in life.

When, you become a little more mature, they want to make sure you know about your religion of birth.

Lets say your father is a Lutheran and your mother is a Roman Catholic. Well, they are both from Christian religions and when you get older you can desire whether you will be a Lutheran or a Roman Catholic.

But, actually the rule is you generally follow your mother's faith, because she gave birth to you. And you can ever becoming a Jew, Moslem's, Pagan, Wicca or whatever.

Maybe, your alright made of your mind and you are a atheists. I have come to this conclude, because you say in the beginning of your letter that nobody knows anything and nobody knows anyway.

All you have to do is read the true words of " GOD " to find out about what is true and what isn't. All answers are in the Good Book, The Holy Bible of your " Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ". He died for you and me. Live for him.

Don't get be start on religious !! I hate when people makes statement that can back-up,when it comes to religious.

Answer 6

Most people raise their children in the lifestyle that they would wish them to go on. While you may not value the religion of your youth, it does help to instill a certain way to go on in the world. Provided your religion isn't teaching hate, of course. The disadvantage, of course, is a tendency to see things only from that religious viewpoint.

Even for me, a former Catholic, I would still raise a child in some spiritual environment (I would tend to be Pagan, but I have no belief in an all-powerful god).

Can folks be raised without any religion and still be good people? Not as easily as you would think if there isn't a surrounding population of folks who do follow a religious belief, even if it isn't yours. I think Communism showed that pretty well.

Answer 7

I think it's natural for a parent to share their beliefs, whatever they are, with their children.

If I was an athiest and my child asked me a question, wouldn't I tell him what I believed was the truth, from an athiest's perspective?

I am a Christian, so that's what I will share with my child. Because I think it's the truth and because I think it is what is best for him. It would be dishonest of me to lie about what I believe in, wouldn't it?

In the end, it will be between my son and God. You absolutely cannot force a person to faith. But you can certainly present what you hope they will choose. Just as a person who doesn't believe presents his child with his perspective.

Just my opinion, of course! :) Luckily, I get to raise my son in the way that I think is best for him. I don't want to brainwash him or raise him in a bubble. I want him to have critical thinking skills and I want to demonstrate the grace that I believe is the crux of my faith. But it's his choice.

Answer 8

not all parents force their beliefs on their children. I would prefer my children believe the way I do, but I'm not forcing them to go to my church or anything like that. I think you are right in letting the kids decide for themselves. I will however tell my sons what I think if they ask me. That's my right as a parent.

Answer 9

most parents teach their children their beliefs, i dont think its forcing religion as much as educating. I do believe as children grow older and are exposed to different religions and cultures in school, it is a parents job to educate them further, ( no matter what your own belief is about that religion), so children can understand and accept others that may view the world differently.

Answer 10

Because religious people are pushy and ignorant.

I'm an Atheist. Yes people, go ahead and give me thumbs down for it. Was I raised to be religious? Yes. I was told to go to church and to pray to 'god' and such. But as I got older, I began to think more for myself and began to realize the flaws that religions had in general. My father, who is slightly religious, is happy that I've made my own decision about my religion and supports me and my beliefs. My other relatives, besides my brother who is also atheist, give me no support for my belief. A good parent should support their child, no matter what religion they choose, instead of pushing their believes onto their children.

So go ahead, gimme thumbs down for saying this things. I dont care =)