Children and religion?

Question

I come from a Christian family who believes that people are to be taught that God is the creator at a very young age. My four year-old sister has had this philosophy pounded into her brain ever since she acquired basic comprehension skills. I do not like that, because at her age, she will blindly follow whatever parents say is right, as she does not yet have the capacity to question the ultimate authority figures in her life.

So, what are your views on the matter, Y!A users? Do you think that children should be taught to adhere to certain religions, or should they be exposed to a variety of belief systems? Is it really fair to teach a doctrine to someone not yet intelligent enough to understand it?

Answer 1

In my opinion, forcing any religion on a child is abusive. Children should gradually be exposed to different religions, and then be allowed to chose their own religion (or lack thereof).

Answer 2

My daughter is going to be raised in the church . Period no if ands or buts about it...when someone else pays the bills for her they can put their two cents in...just like if someone wants to raise their child believing there is no creator or God...non of my business and I am going to stay out of it... I will teach my daughter to be respectful of every ones beliefs and to love and accept everyone..because that is just the right thing to do.. When she is 18 she will hopefully chose to live as I have taught her and shown her...but she may not. I didn't , there is not a guarantee if you raise your child to be any religion that they will stay that way.. If she chooses to be a witch I will love her, if she chooses to be an Atheist , or a Muslim, or a Hindu or a Bud hist...I will love her..if she is Gay I will love her..nothing will ever change that...I might be a little freaked out if she came home and said mom I am going to worship the devil..I'd still love her ....but aside from that one I can pretty much deal with any of them..

It is fair because she is under my care and when the government starts trying to tell us what we can or cannot expose our kids too then we have got a serious problem...

Answer 3

I was a victim of a ingrained religion as a child. Now, however, I'm 16 and I don't believe in anything else other than myself and my family. Thankfully, along with religion, my parents taught me morals. I chose morals over religion. I really did. To prevent from doing something wrong, religious people turn to the bible to choose what is best. I don't. I just remember what my parents have taught me and what the would expect me to do. Thank god they did because if I had no morals and didn't believe in a religion I would be in deep trouble now. I know kids like that now and its sad. I really try to influence them but in the end, it's up to the person to decide what determines his or her beliefs. I think you should teach both. Teach her about religion but teach her family morals as well. In then end she will choose what's best.

Answer 4

Religion gives people comfort. It's better to be raised in one religion and then you have a basis for understanding and comparison. Multiple religions just confuse a child. Later, she can question how she was raised, but if the parents sincerely believe it, then they should teach what they believe. You teach other doctrines to children, too, don't you, like belief about gravity? You try to explain 'wind' to a child, even though they can't get it, and 'sunrise' and 'don't kill that bug, he isn't hurting you' and 'don't hit your sister' and 'share' -- right? A four-year old doesn't really understand 'sharing' but you try to teach it anyway and hope it sinks in.

Answer 5

Children can't understand the complexities of even just one religion, forget several. I think that children would be confused if you tried to expose them to a lot of faiths and beliefs. I'm an adult and they confuse even me! Sometimes I don't agree with the way really religious people raise their kids, but it's not up to me to decide.

Answer 6

Right now its her parents job to raise her the best way they see fit. She will, like the rest of us, someday be at an age where she can think for herself. She will then be free to educate herself as much as she pleases and she will also be free to make choices for herself.

If I had children, I would educate them about all religions. But it is her parents right to raise her with the values that they see fit.

Answer 7

I think it is just fine at this point to push children into the deepest hole possible and make sure they have climb out of it to deserve becoming atheistic and then they will never forget it or lack in the understanding of both sides .
if I had my own children I would be just so cruel as to start them off on the false path of gods love just so they could look back knowlingly oneday .
peaceout

Answer 8

Jesus encouraged people to bring children to Him. The Good News of forgiveness of sins and life eternal in Christ is easy enough for a child to understand and can be deep enough for a philosopher to spend a lifetime on trying to comprehend.

Answer 9

CHILDREN SHOULD BE TAUGHT FROM THE BIBLE,THEY SHOULD BE TRAINED IN HIS WORD TRAIN A CHILD THE WAY THEY SHOULD GO AND WHEN THEY ARE OLDER THEY WILL NOT TURN FROM IT,ALL MORALS,VALUES,CHARACTER AND HOW TO HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD SHOULD START EVEN BEFORE THEY ARE BORN,THE WOMEN CAN SAY BIBLE VERSES OVER THEIR WOMB AND SING TO THE BABY ITS INSTATISTICS THAT WHEN SPOKEN TO IN THE WOMB THAT CHILD COMES OUT MORE INTELLIGENT