Should children be educated about religion?

Question

before their parents automatically sign them up for whatever they believe? What I mean is, should parents educate their children about all of the religions and then let them freely choose what they want to believe? Or is it beyond their capacity at that age to grasp concepts such as death, birth, etc..?

Answer 1

they should teach them nothing, the kids should be educated in schools. when they are old enough to be on there own, then if they want a religion they can pick one

Answer 2

I'm atheist and i think it's pretty unrealistic to think parents should educated their child on all religions if the parents are already active in one. They should just raise children whatever they are and the kids can choose later if they want to convert. Do you think a 5 yr old can grasp the concept of religion and choose? Do you think they should be raised devoid of religion until they can intellectualize it?

Answer 3

I think teaching your children anything (that doesn't promote ill will towards anyone) that you believe in is important. Children need to see that their parents have values and that they can hold true to something. That said, I do think that children should be exposed to many things with the idea that it takes different thoughts to make the world go round. I also believe that children will at some point understand the issues you mentioned and need to find reason for them and whether religion helps with that is up to them.

Answer 4

What if I offered my child his choice of medicine, or offered him the chance to refues medicine all together? Is that decision beyond his capacity to make? Of course it is. So is religion. I believe in the Bible. It says God is the Supreme Being and His Son is the ONLY way to Heaven. If I REALLY believe that, why would I encourage my child to judge all religions equally and make his own decision? Plus, children are more likely to follow in their parent's footsteps than chose their own way. If I put God first in everything, as I say I do, my children will likely do the same.

Answer 5

I teach my children my religion because I believe it to be wholly true and a worthy pursuit. I wouldn't be a very good parent if I knew something was true and refused to teach it to my children, would I?

Now, that being said, I do also teach my children about other world religions because I want them to understand other cultures. My kids have learned about Judaism a lot, simply because much of my Catholic faith is rooted in Judaism, and understanding Judaism helps people understand the fullness of the Catholic faith. In time, my kids will also learn about Islam, Buddhism, etc.

As my children grow older, they must choose for themselves Whom they will serve. It is my ardent hope and desire that they will choose to worship and serve Christ. However, this is not something I can control. If they don't choose for themselves, they will not be committed to their religion.

Answer 6

Let each parent decide. Some do not want their child taught about any religion.
Some do not want their child taught about anything but their religion. Then they would complain to schools if any kind of religion were taught there....even though ALL religions may be explained.

Separation of church and state.....plus, what right do you have to tell a parent what to teach his child and not to teach him.

Answer 7

Sometimes parents talking to their children can be a good thing, but some might push it, and force slander down their throats about not beliving, and death and all that.

Answer 8

If that's what the parents want.

There's nothing wrong with indoctrinating your children in your beliefs and then when they're adults they can pick/do what works for them

I'm an Atheist....my daughter is a Christian.....it works for her and it's her decision & I respect that.

Answer 9

Raise them with standards, at the same time...educate them so they can make an informed decision about their personal beliefs.

Answer 10

i think tbhey should learn them the basics however it is not compulsary to learn about religion any more. law has changed