Should church be 18+ only?

Question

I have given example in another question before, about a young boy growing up on an island. He was never told about God, and his only contact was with his mother who also knew nothing about religion. I asked if this boy would ever become a believer in christianity without anyone putting it into his head to begin with.

Most said no, he wouldn't. I agree.

For that reason, should children be allowed in church? What I mean is, at the age where the church is most actively seeking them out (Day school, bible study...etc), around 4 - 6 years old, do these children have the ability to make their own choices about God and religion? Will they grow up being a believer because an adult told them what to believe? I was kicked out of bible study for asking a question which contradicted the bible. I got into trouble at home, and never questioned it again until I was older.

So, my idea is that only adults should be allowed in church, because children can't (to be continued)

choose to believe or not when they're being told what to think.

These children MIGHT grow up to be non-believers, but in reality, they will most likely continue to have "Faith" and be a "good christian" because it was impressed upon them as children.

How many of you only went to church because your parents made you? How do you think you'd feel now if you weren't forced into religion at such a young age?

***fenian1916***

Of course your bible would say that. How else would you maintain an "ORGANIZED RELIGION" if you don't get people at a young age??

Think about it.

Why would the bible say anything different when that is their main goal?

*** mshakay ***

Oh please don't bring up separation of church and state. That is SUCH a joke, when "In god we trust" is printed directly onto our currency.

How separate is that?

Churches need to have limits set by the government. Look at the middle east. You see what their un-obstructed religions have become? Millions of fanatics all willing to die because of their "Church". Been going on for thousands of years.

THere is no separation of church and state in the United States that I live in.

I take that back, there is a separation...

The church doesn't have to pay taxes. That's seperate. They get to collect all the money we earn and pay taxes on, spend it how they like, and never pay a dime in taxes. How, again, convenient.

*** Patti C ***

But you see, dear, that is my exact point.

You take a child and force him/her to attend church, or maybe they willingly go because you tell them to... anyhow, things we learn at a young age tend to stick with us. That is why they say you should even play music and read to your baby before it's even born. Things like this are put into their minds at a young age and when they grow up, they don't really have a great ability to deny what they were told because it has been with them for so long.

Some of us do escape, but I honestly think a vast majority do not.

It's like this:

Your father taught you to always keep your elbows off the table at dinner.

When you were older, you probably would still keep your elbows off the table because you were taught it's the polite thing to do when you were young. If you weren't taught that, sure, you might pick it up by observing others, but more than likely, your elbows would be right there supporting you :)

Answer 1

No, it should be for all

Answer 2

I don't think it should be 18+ but I see what you are saying. I think church should be a choice and not impressed upon children. I was never taken to church and God was not spoken of in my home, but I remember knowing about God. I had a friend who would take me church like once a year. And I would go with my Grandparents on easter, but that was it. When I was 16 I decided that I wanted to go to church (after not being there for 10 years). My mother was angry (she doesn't like church), but I wanted to go. I don't think little children have the ability to make their own decisions about such things, and adults use God to scare children and such. I think it should be a choice, but good luck enforcing that one.

Answer 3

According to the Bible, a child becomes responsible for his or her own salvation at the age of 12. But to be baptized one must be able to believe in the savior.
A baby can not be baptized because it isn't old enough to believe.
Read ACTS 8:37 Philip told the Ethiopian Eunuch that if he believed with all his heart then he could be baptized.

Answer 4

Should be for all. You are responsible for your soul and others if you lead them away, but then their also still responsible for theirs. Once you are old enough and you think you can make your own decisions then you should be plenty old enough to be in church all the time. Doesn't mean you necessarily have to sit in on the sermon, but at least go and listen. Even if its in some kind of Children's Church during the actual sermon.

Answer 5

The bible says train up a child in the way they should go (proverbs 22:6). This is like saying children shouldn't go to school until they're 18. They don't have a right to decide if they want to go to school or not. When they turn 16 or 17 and they decide they want to quit then it's up to them. After all if a parent wants to raise their child in church then it's totally up to them.

Answer 6

Jesus teaches that we should not suffer the children to come to him, so a lot of children like the experience. That you encountered bigotry at such a young age was unfortunate, but its not every child's experience.

Answer 7

I think you ask a very interesting question.
I'll need time to think about it.

Hmmm. I think that parents who go to church will work to teach their children what they learn there. The difference depends on how authority is practiced and perceived at home versus in a church setting where indoctrination can be highly manipulative.

Answer 8

No older people should be allowed to attend church how else is the younger generation supposed to learn about God.
Kisses Betty B.

Answer 9

I believe parents have the right to choose what their children are exposed to. The children can make their choices later when they are old enough. I would like to expose children to religion, education, sports activities, etc. They can make their own choice after they have been exposed to things and learned more about them.

Answer 10

Thats totally untrue i didnt believe in God until I was about 20 years old. your idea comes from neitzche and his theory about a person who hasn't been weakened by religion and becomes the superman or overman as he puts it but they are incorrect. Also its a parents decision on what to do with their children.

Answer 11

You are right. Recruiting children is one of the big sources of the church's power... children are formative. Children will accept anything you shove down their throat, and impressions and ideas formed in childhood are usually very lasting. When people actually realize the negative influence of brainwashing children with church stories, maybe church can become 18 plus only.