Do parents have the rights to impose their personal beliefs on their children?

Question

Teaching your kids morals is ok, but what about religious beliefs? Isnt that like facism?

Answer 1

It is, and I don't approve.

exposing them to your beliefs is one thing, and letting them figure things out on their own (with proper guidance, I.E morals) is fine. But telling them "This IS what you will believe" is wrong and assumes one's children are nothing but little carbon copies of oneself, a habit a lot of parents get into.

Answer 2

No it's not like fascism. This is the way it has been since the beginning.

The older folks teach the young. Even their religious beliefs. This is how you perpetuate the religion. The children are brought up by the parents and given their basic instruction by them. it is upto school to inform that there are other religions and upto the student to ask for information to learn more of these other religions.

In many places several centuries ago it was illegal to study other religions as the one you were raised in was the one religion.

remember that it is religion that gives us the rules of right and wrong. we are taught these from an early age and it is these basic religious beliefs that are the basis for our laws in many countries.

Answer 3

Yes, parents have the right to teach (what do YOU mean by impose? Force?) their children their personal beliefs. I'm a Baha'i and I taught my children Baha'u'llah's teachings of independent investigation of reality/truth, to love light no matter from which lamp it shines, that there is one race the human race, that religion is one, that God is one, the equality of men and women, that unity is the prerequisite of justice and justice is the prerequisite of peace and peace is more than an end to war, the harmony of science and religion, the value of service to humanity, the elimination of all prejudice, the right to an education for every human being, the elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty, the adoption of a universal auxiliary language, and that's just for starters. I was very strict about how they might use other human beings as toys and lab rats. The list is very long.

Do you think they've grown up to be lights of the world or facists?

Answer 4

Yes. That is what raising kids is all about. You pass on your beliefs about every aspect of life to your children. What are parents supposed to do on Sunday morning? Leave the kiddies at home because heaven forbid they might be influenced the believe in the same religion that has given them inner peace and a relationship with who they believe is their eternal salvation??? Once children leave the house they can pick and choose things from their childhood to take with them or ditch, it's up to them at that time. I grew up in a christian household where we attend worship regularly and were active in the church. I have since moved away and am still involved in a church of the same religion along with my husband and two children. My brother chose not to go to church and his two children do not go either. So obviously the horrible brainwashing that my parents did in our traditional, loving, christian household did not penetrate my brother! Thank goodness for him, huh!? Fascism? Please, it's just simply called being a parent.

Answer 5

Isn't teaching children to look both ways before crossing a street facism? After all, perhaps they can think for themselves about those cars.

Teaching a child that God loves them and has a good purpose for them? Yeah, terrible.

Answer 6

I suppose just sharing your religion with your children is okay and to be expected. But the choice to accept or not should be theirs to make. Children should not be coaxed into their religion through reward/punishment. They shouldn't be grounded or scolded for refusing to go to church or blaspheming, and they shouldn't be given new toys and happy meals if they do not refuse. I think its an attempt at brainwashing and may qualify as child abuse.

For example, my cousin was raised in a Jehovah Witness household. When he was a preteen he started to question those beliefs and rebelled against it. When he refused to go to church, his parents assigned him extra chores to be done while they were at church or other religious activities. Later, they threatened to kick him out of the house unless he conformed. I think that is child abuse.

Answer 7

Parents also have the right to teach their children about their religion. I just don't agree with abuse masquerading as religious teaching.

And no, this is NOT the same thing. Teaching a child to love God (or the Gods) is fine. Beating them for not adhering to your religious standards is not.....

Answer 8

Parents have the right to present their beliefs onto their children because they did give birth to them. But they DO NOT have the right to impose their beliefs it is up to the child if they choose to accept or reject it and it is up to a loving parent to respect their child's beliefs and support them.

Answer 9

It isn't a right. It's a parental responsibility to teach your children what you know to be true in every essential area of their lives - health care, education, religion, etc. To neglect their education in any of these crucial areas of human development is to fail as a parent.

Would it be ethical to "expose them to health care ideas" and then let them figure it out for themselves? Maybe they will decide to brush their teeth, maybe not. Maybe they will get a reasonable amount of sleep, maybe not. Maybe they will eat a healthy diet, maybe not. Well, my kids WILL brush their teeth, WILL eat healthy, WILL get enough sleep, and WILL have the opportunity to know God and His Holy Church. When they are adults, they will of course make their own final decisions on all these matters. But at least they will have the necessary knowledge and experience to make reasonable decisions. If I don't provide them with that basic background, I have failed them.

Answer 10

yes.... but.ok i think parents should take kids with them wherever they go to church or meditate or not maybe..... but the parent should tell the child at a young and mindful age that this is a decision they shoudl make for THEMSELF when they grow up... they do not have to follow that way but that they are free to choose their own way.

Answer 11

Parents have the right to express their personal beliefs to their children; they do not have the right to punish their children if they are unable to accept those beliefs.