Do children deserve the right to choose their own religion?

Answer 1

A child should't be forced or left to decide. why do we need labels anyway? instead of focusing on whether or not they believe in god, teach them morals, values, survival skills, charity and show them love. let them grow up discovering those things that actually make them a good person. religion doesn't insure that children will not go astray because nothing substitutes the love of a good parent.

I believe if they're interested in religion after they grow up, then it's their choice if they want to be a part of it or not. before then, it's force.

Answer 2

Thats is a difficult question. It would depend a lot on the age of the child, very young children have very few rights, they have the rights to be loved, to be fed, housed in a decent home, etc. they do not have the right to choose their bed time, nor what they want to watch on tv, etc.
Older children, say teens, have the right to choose what cloths they want, most of the music they want, but not the right to, smoke, drink, or see r rated movies. 16 or 17 year olds have much more rights, however in VA, they do not have the right to talk of a Cell phone while driving, or having more than 1 other under age teen, in the car with them. As to religion, I can tell by your name, you are biased, so there probably is no right answer in your view, but as a father who has raised three boys, and working on a little girl, I say yes, at a certain age. My two oldest sons, have gone to and been active in church as a family all of thier lifes, when my oldest turned 16 and was driving, he wanted to go to youth services at another church with some firends, at first I was offended, but I allowed it anyway, after a few weeks he returned to our church full time. Not from anything I said or did, but from the simple truth found in the Book you proclaim to wish to destroy. In Proverbs 22:6 we are told "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when they are old he will not depart from it." I belive this to be truth, along with all of Gods word. ps my spell check is not working so please excuse the errors.

Answer 3

How young would the supposed child be?!

Does he/she have enough logic or reasoning to choose something as serious as religion?!

I personally don't have any religion right now... I do believe in God, but I'm not practicing any organized religion....

It would be nice if parents would just listen to what their children would have to say about the different religions... Parents should be open-minded and unbiased... and they should also have enough knowledge about the different religions and explain them to the child...

Just teach them proper morals and etiquette rather than forcing a bible down their throats or making them memorize a one-page prayer which have no use in everyday life....

Answer 4

Not until they are 18 and or out of the house. Same goes for values and morals.

Children cannot "choose" a lot of things because lacking maturity they would choose poorly. Many would choose to eat candy for breakfast, never go to school, cross the street without looking both ways, do drugs, smoke, drink, etc.

Parents are responsible to raise their kids with values and teach them in the way they should go. If the parents are religious then it includes religious training as well.

If a child does not want to go to church, they have that option when they are adults.

My son, raised Catholic, moved out when he turned 22. He does not attend church anymore. He also went out and got tattoo (something else he couldn't do until he was out of my house). These are his choices, but I did my best to give him a solid foundation in Christ. He has free will, and that gives him the right to choose.

Answer 5

I see where you're going with this.

Of course they do, but even if they're not raised in a particular religion, they're still being indoctrinated with a LACK of religion.

Parents have the right to raise their children however they want, so long as they're not abusive, and attempt to raise children who will be productive members of society.

After all that, who CARES what religion or non-religion they teach?

Answer 6

Maybe when they're a little older and have the capacity to know of such things - whether to believe in one or not; but definitely not when they're still kids. Let's keep their minds clean and pure for at least a couple more years before the brainwashing begins.

Oh, and Frissyd, the problem you are having with kids these days (in america?) is borne out of the fact that parents are not allowed by law to 'punish' their kids in biblically explained ways. that's why (most of them) grow up spoiled to the teeth.

Answer 7

Yes they do. Parents should teach them what religion they think is best for them, but in the end the children should be allowed to decide for themselves.

Answer 8

Obviously, unfortunately many don't have that choice until they are older. I grew up in a cult (Jehovah's Witnesses) and my parents did all they could to keep me from leaving, they even tried to talk me out of going to college and I was scolded by the elders for playing High School sports before finally leaving.

Answer 9

Yeah, Sure, There's Spider man, Fantastic Four , Kentucky, Mc'D and so much more, so you have to help them to choose. And always tell them to wash their hands and say a prayer before they eat especially if their God is the Food God or they will be punish with stomach ache. After they have chosen thier favourite God then you must congratulae them for thier choice.

Answer 10

No they don't. They should go where their parents are going.

Oh, and element, I think that is what frissyd was saying, lack of discipline on the parents part. And America is not the only country that has let their kids run rampant.