what and how do we tell our child about what we believe and all that .. i dont want to discount either of our beliefs or tell them one is right and the other is nonsense?
2007-07-21 15:48:10 · 10 answers · asked by zebrafinchlover 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
When my wife and I married, she was Nazarene, and I was non believer. We have 4 kids, I never said anything bad or contrary to her beleifs. The only thing we agreed on was to let the kids decide. They had to go with her to church, until they said "no more" (if they did). When they asked me what I believed, I was honest and told them, but never degraded my wifes beliefs, nor her mine. I recently changed my tune, and have told my kids this and am open about my new faith. But, I still support their decision to find their own beleifs or non beleifs. If they want to go a church other than one my wife or I go to (I am not Nazarene) I will take them wherever they want. Support them in finding what makes them feel right, if you agree or not. And dont say negative things about the path they choose.
2007-07-21 15:53:41 · answer #1 · answered by dad of four 3 · 8⤊ 0⤋
I've thought about that situation many times. I'm going to have to go through the same thing when it comes time for my child to start getting curious about religion/religious experiences. I believe that you should take your child to your church a few times. Ask them how they enjoyed it. If they ever express that they do not wish to attend, even if its just for that weeked, I wouldn't force them at all. Its a hard situation to deal with because of the limitations that come with young age. They want to know everything, yet it will be hard to help them understand that Mommy and Daddy don't believe the same way. Just as you would let your child attend your church, I would have Daddy explain how he believes as well. Again though, you may run into a problem. If the child is old enough to go to the church and say, "My Daddy says that's not right," then you could have a few unsettled church members that may think they need to "lend a helping hand" while all they're really doing is frustrating you. All in all, I would say to take it slowly. It could be best to wait until the child is old enough to REALLY ask some questions about your religious choices and be able, for the most part, to understand your answers. The only thing that I absolutely would NOT do, is to deny your child the opportunity to learn about either of its parents religious choices. Be sure to open up to them and have them be knowledgeable, so that when someone may decide to look down on them for, say, Daddy's choice to be agnostic; your child will then be properly equipped to handle the situation.
2007-07-21 17:57:29 · answer #2 · answered by jenngoddess_131 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's going to be tough - you know what you believe and your husband doesn't. How do you you tell a child what he believes when he really isn't sure. I don't believe there are agnostics. I believe there are people of faith and atheists. Some people choose agnostic "just in case" or because they are too complacent to take a postion. I would suggest that he take some time for religious study to explore & decide what he does and does not believe in so that you will have a good answer for your child.
2007-07-21 16:02:12 · answer #3 · answered by Mrs. Goddess 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dad always explained things to us from his point of view, as well as from other points of view. Like he would say "some people believe x, I believe y". He never pressured us to feel the same way he did. It helped me tremendously.
2007-07-21 16:02:56 · answer #4 · answered by Magaroni 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you each tell your chil what you believe but the child will decide what he or she wants to believe in ..i mean seriously your kid mite choose to b something totally defiernt than yours
2007-07-21 17:03:52 · answer #5 · answered by Its.everything 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pick one and go with it - religion is a part of a person's identity. Don't confuse the poor kid.
2007-07-21 16:02:13 · answer #6 · answered by puma 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
tell ur child about being catholic and help ur husband...in the end people have to figure this out for themselves
2007-07-21 15:52:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
Ultimately they will have to figure that out for themselves.
As a Catholic, you have an obligation to raise your child,
by instructing them in the Faith, which you practice.
Of course you will have the child baptised.
(Dad can't object if it means nothing to him.)
Since atheists don't have a church, take your child to Mass.
If you attend regularly, they will hear most of the Bible read.
They will get to understand what is happening at Mass.
Children have a wonderful spiritual openness about them.
(Just explain that Dad doesn't understand all this yet.)
2007-07-21 16:02:01 · answer #8 · answered by Robert S 7 · 0⤊ 7⤋
Let your kids pick their own religion.
2007-07-21 16:11:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
wellagnostic isnt saying "i dont believe" so raise ur kid as a believer
2007-07-21 15:51:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋