Is it okay for religious people to tell others how to raise their children?

Question

This question is inspired by the fact that at LEAST once a day, someone comes on here wondering if religious people should be banned from teaching their children about their religion. So since SOME atheists seem to think it's okay to tell religious people how to raise their children, is it okay for religious people to do the same? No?
I know this is kind of more of a statement than a question, but I really am tired of people trying to say that children shouldn't be taught their parents' religion. *I* don't feel it's ANYONE'S business what a parent teaches their child, so long as they're taught the difference between right and wrong, and they're not abused. If atheists want to raise their children as atheists, that's THEIR business, isn't it?
Should parents have to not express their opinions at ALL for fear that their children MIGHT, oh heaven FORBID, turn out like them? Does anyone else see how stupid this idea is?

I might add details as I receive answers, depending on the answers, so be sure to check back in if you want.
:)

And to clarify, I'm a Christian, my husband is agnostic. When we have children, I believe we have the right to teach our children WHATEVER we want, same as anyone else.

I would NEVER try to teach my children to fear hell. They shouldn't even know about hell until they're at LEAST eleven. If I can keep them from that knowledge until then, I'll be happy.

Only Christians tell others how to raise their children? I beg to differ:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ApkciuhFgkcyW9dBWdlTXcbsy6IX?qid=20070622055420AAlqJw1&show=7#profile-info-3LAP0KYEaa
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvaSFyA8PEDMqzJbJrVPDxHty6IX?qid=20070619144738AAt4dBP&show=7#profile-info-u9SX5oRTaa
That's just a couple. I can find more, I'm sure.

One answerer stated that I "sound like a religious fanatic." I would love to know how they came to that conclusion.

To clarify, the reason I don't want to teach my children about hell is because I don't want that to be the reason they accept Christianity. I was seven when I was first told about hell, and as a result, I was frightened into becoming a Christian. But I never believed in it. I was just scared of hell. I don't want that for my children.
And no, I don't think God will hold me accountable for not scaring my children into believing in Him.
They can find out about hell later, not when they're very young.

Answer 1

I'd say no, whether to give children religious training is up to the children's parents, and outside parties should abstain from trying to influence others.

Answer 2

Teaching a child to love, and to know right from wrong is the best a parent can do.

Telling a child a lie that they will burn in hell is wrong and is not in the Bible, it is a myth from the middle ages that the church used to scare people.

A child having the knowledge that God loves them and is watching over them is a good thing.

Not something that should be forced, or used as a weapon. An ex years ago had my children disappeared by CPS by making the claim that Christians are crazy.

Have found the oldest and the youngest kids, but the other 2 might not have survived foster care. They are all adults now; and the ex was Buddhist by the way.

Answer 3

So you believe that children should not be taught about hell, find you go right ahead and keep your children in the dark. You maybe able to tell other people not the teach your children, but the Holy Spirit is a different matter all together. If He starts working on one of your children's heart when they are, say 8, you go right ahead and tell them to ignore Him and if God happens to call them Home at the age of 10, on Judgment Day God will be asking you, why you did this to your child as you watch them cast into outter darkness. Do you really want your own child's blood on your hands? You see the physical age and the Spiritual age are two different ages. And God does not look at our physical age but our Spiritual Age

Answer 4

I think this is an either/or fallacy.

Clearly a parent should teach their kids right and wrong and express their opinion. But just as clearly *all* parental opinions aren't meant for children. If a parent wanted to teach a child of 5 about free love and sexuality, you wouldn't be for that, would you? No sane person would.

But it comes down to "where do you draw the line"? Is it ok to teach your kids that pharmaceuticals are evil? (Scientology) Is it then ok to withold medication from a schizophrenic child?

Here is where the lines start to get fuzzy and where "the state" needs to intervene on behalf of a child. But again, it's where you draw the line and different countries and individuals draw it in different places.

Answer 5

Yes and no-- If the parent is obviously neglecting the child-- such as improper diet or hygiene, is overly zealous in discipline to the point of being abusive or emotionally traumatizing, or being negligent in the way of ignoring the child's emotional needs, then yes. Sadly to say, there are no laws on how a parent should teach religion and spirituality to children. So religion or the lack of is strictly in the hands of the parents, no one Else's business.

Answer 6

Everyone has a right to express their opinion, and you certainly can't say that atheists are the only ones telling other people how to live and how to raise their children. You cross the line when you go from expressing an opinion to mandating.

In my experience, religious people are far more likely to cross the line. An example is when people want Harry Potter books taken from schools for religious reasons, or when they try to mandate religous teachings in schools (Creationism).

Answer 7

I think as a parent and a Christian my beliefs are mine and mine alone. If I want to instill them in my children by teaching them what I believe that is up to me. Also, they will either accept it or not, many of the atheist I know come from very strong christian families and just decided that it was not for them one way or the other either through intellectual readings or through disinterest in faith. When it comes to others children what you believe should not be pushed on others. If parents want to raise their children atheist, agnostic, christian, Hindu or whatever it is not an outsiders place to take it upon themselves to change that. If asked for your opinion give it if not keep it to yourself. May God bless.

Answer 8

It is my belief that parents are the only ones who have the right to teach religion to their children. This is the time honored tradition. Morals and values are not the business of schools to teach and liberals have gone to great extremes to remove religion from all facets of public whenever possible. Given this circumstance then where else would people be expected to learn these values if not in the home?

Answer 9

I don't believe in interfering with how other people raise their kids, unless some grievous harm is being done. This goes for the religious as well as the non-religious.

I do think something should be done about the polygamy cults in Colorado City. They hide behind "freedom of religion" and call it plural marriage, but it is nothing more than a front for child rape.

There was a judge who ORDERED a divorcing Wiccan couple not to expose thier child to their "non-mainstream" faith. The couple were BOTH Wiccan, and they did NOT ask the judge to intervene in their family's religion. This busy body judge took it upon himself to add this to the divorce order. Eventually it was over turned, but this couple had their civil rights curtailed for over 6 months because of the religiously bigotted judge.

I don't think non-religious or religious people should try and dictate to other families if or how they should worship or pray. It probobly does happen on both sides, but since most of the power in this country is in the hands of people who tow the "Judeo- Christian" line, I don't think you will see much legal support for outlawing families from raising their children Christian as you would see it in the case of the gov't trying to prevent families from raising their children "non-mainstream" religion (as in the case of the divorce judge and the Wiccan couple)

Answer 10

I believe in teaching my children all about the Gospel.

This is an interesting topic though because if it was up to me to set a "law" that must be abided by everyone, I believe I would opt to "NOT" teach our children about religion.

This means that atheist could not teach their children to "not" believe and Muslims could not threaten their family to believe or be killed.

In retrospect, Christian's could still let their children know they are going to church on Sundays (without telling them what church is).
Then children would be curious and probably want to go.

The problem is that a lot of religions (other than Christianity), threaten their family with abandonment or death if they don't believe.

Something to think about!!!

Answer 11

Hell No! I don't think its right at all! The only reason we don't teach religion in public school is because ( if you stupid Christians haven't noticed ) not every one is christian or any other religion. I think it is disrespectful and rude and it means you think yourself higher than them. It doesn't matter if your atheist or religious your still being rude and disrespectful by telling a kid exactlly opposite on what they have been raised on. This is why we have the war in Iraq! Because we think it is OK to place ourselves higher than others. People like you tick me off!