I think freedom of religion should only apply to adults and children should be free from religion . comments?

Question

whatchathink ?

Answer 1

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." -- Proverbs

I totally disagree with those who are saying that we should have "freedom FROM religion" in this country. How sad this place would be without the spark of religion going through it, and I thank GOD our "Founding Fathers" had the WISDOM NOT to use that word.

The primary responsibility of parents is to "civilize" their children, i.e. teach them how to live within the society they belong, AND to teach them RIGHT from WRONG. Teaching right/wrong is the issue of MORALITY, and it is the parent's RIGHT to choose which "set" of morals to teach their children. If it is a religious set of morals, then sobeit. If it is not, then that, again, is the PARENT'S choice.

When the child is "of age," and "on their own," then is when they have the right to choose what their morality will be. They have the option to accept what they've been taught or reject it. A "religion-less" child also has just as much right to choose religion as a "religion" child has to choose non-religion... AND to be RESPECTED for that decision. Even Madalyn Murray O'Hair's children had the right to choose, even though her son has been BLASTED by so many of these "God-haters" (including his own mother, poor thing!) for his choosing to BELIEVE in God!

Once a child is old enough to make his/her own decisions, it is up to the PARENTS to make decisions for them. Please, don't make the job of parenthood any more difficult than it already is!

Have a blessed day!

Answer 2

I was raised Catholic and forced to go to mass every Sunday, Catechism every Tuesday, and confession every other Saturday afternoon. I didn't understand much of it at all. But - I was told that I would go to hell if I didn't do these things - so I did them. Children should NOT have FEAR put into their hearts. But - I think it's fine to expose them to religion.

I am now a Religious Scientist. We celebrate the goodness of all religions. We do take our child to church with us (we started going when she was 6 and now she is 12) - and she takes part in the youth activities - which pretty much teach the virtues - and sometimes have lessons based on stories from any of the given religions. When she's older - she'll know a lot about different religions - and she can choose one - or not. Mostly - she's learning to be a GOOD PERSON. I don't see any harm in that.

Our take is that she can choose any religion she wants - the best one to serve HER. And once she has it - she should know that it's best for HER - and respect that other people have chosen what's best for THEM.

Answer 3

Freedom From Religion - is a religious choice in itself. Do not force my kids to accept your values and I won't force your kids to accept mine. See how that works?

Religions used to be the used as the teacher of morality for the safety and betterment of the community. Now kids are raised by various day-cares, schools and after school programs that are not allowed to teach any values or morals. Parents are divorced and/or never spend any time with their kids to teach them these values. So each generation becomes worse than the last and society crumbles from a lack of morality.

Answer 4

I disagree completely. Children shouldn't be prevented from learning about anything. Aside from denying people the chance to become our best and our brightest, closing doors for them artificially, and teaching them one world view at the expense of others, you're putting religion on the pedestal of adulthood. And, like every other amoral practice we put on the top shelf like that (drinking, smoking, porno, politics), it encourages people to do it as soon as they realize they can.

I'm opposed to any regulation that prevents a child from reading a book, and the entire mentality that things that society doesn't want can be "nipped at the bud" by denying people information. It's that kind of book burning idiocy that, coupled with Zero Tolerance, gets chemistry teachers arrested for teaching people which compounds have explosive properties, and allows creationism, environmental science, and other politically motivated tripe to replace the real education we used to have in this country.

Answer 5

I don't agree.

Children grow up to be adults. If they are uninformed...then they will have to get their understanding of religion from the world (such as the movie the DaVinci Code) and that is not a healthy place to learn about religion.

Also, children take a lot of information from their parents as to behavior and beliefs. Parents cannot function as if their beliefs are not part of their life. They are. The reasons I'm pro-life have a lot to do with my belief in God...I cannot hide that from my children. Children raised without the answer to "why" are going to be seriously lacking in many things as adults.

Answer 6

children are born to their parents...who are adults. adults have the right and responsibility to raise their children according to their values and beliefs, and if applicable, their faith as well. What you are basically saying is parents should be responsible for feeding, clothing, nurturing, and caring for their kids but NOT if it includes any type of spiritual instruction. My Christian beliefs are inherent to who I am so it stands to reason that my kids will be influenced by this and be taught my beliefs accordingly. I am NOT going to bow to any godless lawmakers who would take the right from me to raise my kids HOWEVER I see fit.

Edit to add: when naive but idealistic people such as yourself propose such preposterous notions (that always stink of SOCIALISM and BIG GOVERNMENT) I get a shudder in the pit of my stomach. Think George Orwell's 1984.

Answer 7

So you think adults should be allowed to choose a religion, but children can only choose no religion? That's biased against religion.

Answer 8

This should be interesting.... that question is going to draw a whole of fire... I will bring the marshmellows...


It is a very valid point. The emotional and develpment states of children are drastically affected by indoctrination into religious activities.... This applies to all.... Children can be taught right from wrong, good from evil, kindness from meanesss without the use of Eternal damnation for doing the latter in each.....
Excellent question....

Answer 9

For some people I'd say that's a great idea! But it is, under the law, parent's choice.

What do you consider children though? I'd think anyone not hitting puberty....
Girls: 12 and under
Boy: 13/14 and under

Answer 10

This is an impossible idea. The parents can't go to church and leave the children home alone. Religon is centered around family. It won't happen.