Why are the children of Christians not allowed to "think, use reason and doubt" what they read in their bible?

Answer 1

First, I know exactly what you mean....as I as instructed not to reason why but to have "faith". I do not believe this is true of ALL Christians, however. My particular experiences came about in a ninth grade "Faith and Morals" class in a Catholic School....(Mandatory). Once I experienced this negative response to free thought, I made it my mission to convince my parents that my thoughts were in fact being thwarted by this environment. I was successful, and attended public school for the remainder of HS. How intrigued I was to learn about The Spanish Inquizition (Wow...Why dont they teach that in Catholic School? and the Protestant Reformation....The Catholic Church sold entrance into heaven?....interesting......)
The Catholic Church does not encourage free thought, because they control with fear. Bottom line. If you dont have enough "faith" you are going to hell. If they can keep you scared of eternal damnation, they "keep the butts in the seats", thereby ensuring the "donations" will keep coming in. (I use the term "donations" but in my experience at catholic school, the envelopes were numbered....hmmm....maybe if you dont give enough you will be going to hell? BUT DONT THINK ABOUT THAT.....Dont reason.....JUST HAVE FAITH.....) I know my opinion is a little swayed.....I do not believe in man controlled religions....I believe in God,however....very much.

Answer 2

Your assumption about the children of Christians not being allowed to "think, use reason and doubt" about the Bible is not true. It is true for the children of cult members. It is also true for the children of some overly religious Christians. But these Christians are the very small minority. It isn't fair to apply the same assumption to all Christian families. It also is not fair to equate healthy Christian churches to cults.

Healthy Christian churches help people- they feed the hungry, clothe the needy, house the homeless, found hospitals and other charities across the globe.

Cult organizations (for example the atheist organizations) do none of these things. They do nothing good. They only try to tear down the good that they see around them.

To break it down so everybody can understand-

Cults - bad
Atheism - bad
Overly religious Christianity - bad
Healthy Christianity - good

Given those choices, I would go with healthy Christianity.

If you disagree, why don't you move to China?

Enjoy your new lifestyle in China (poverty, bad medical care, human rights violations, etc) made possible by atheism!

Answer 3

I don't know who you've been talking to, but children are the most curious creatures ever. And why are you criticizing christian parents? it should be all parents in general. I am a christian and have 5 brilliant children. My children have their own mind, ideas and intuitions. they can read and ask questions all they want. heck, I encourage it ~!!!! we all have doubts about certain things in this life. My children have had doubts about the bible, but they them selves have searched and found answers and still remain Christians. Any christian that wont let their children think on their own when it comes to beliefs then are they really Christians? The real truth only comes from the holy spirit not by just reading

Answer 4

I am an Christian and my daughter is a Christian- however I have never said she could not question, think or even doubt things they read in the bible. My daughter believes , and I know she is a born again believer- however that does not mean she, or myself, or any other Christian has never questioned. Even David questioned and he was a man after God's own heart. So if there are parents out there that tell their kids don't question= they are wrong-

Answer 5

I would hope that Christians and children of Christians are encouraged to use reason. Acts 17:11 commends those who examine Scriptures seeking truth:

Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

1 Peter 3:15 expects us to have reasons to believe what we believe:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear:

2 Peter 1:15 associates belief with the evidence that was seen firsthand:

Yes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure. 16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 18 This voice we heard come out of heaven when we were with him in the holy mountain.

There are those who discourage thinking and reasoning, but this is counterproductive. The more you delve into the evidence for the Bible, the more convincing it becomes.

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Answer 6

My Dad is a Christian Pastor and he always encouraged me to question the Bible so that I could study it better and decide what I believed, rather than just taking what people gave me.

However, some Christian parents are afraid that there children will turn from Christianity if they allow them to question.

Answer 7

Oh, but they are. You obviously have no idea of what a Christian upbringing is. God doesn't want a bunch of mindless zombies. He loves questions... if he didn't, he wouldn't have given us a book filled with answers.

All in all, it's just a matter of taking a few things on faith. Some people aren't prepared to do that. They may be in time, and they may not.

Answer 8

They are allowed to believe what the want but they aren't able to maintain this belief. The parent passes down what they are taught like a bulldozer over cardboard and the child just obeys or risk getting abandoned.

Answer 9

you have some very good answers here to your question. i was not going to answer,,, until after i read all your responses. now i only comment on what i have read. there are some remarkable people here who really know what they are talking about. i hope you read each answer carefully and listen to what these people are telling you. you do have, God has given you, the ability to think, reason and doubt. he has also given you the CHOICE to believe........

Just someone who cares..

Answer 10

lol. Let them explain to the kids about trinity. 3 in 1 and giving them example like egg yolk, shell.