Parents who force religion on their children?

Question

This is something that wonders me, does it not violate freedom of religion when parents force THEIR religion on their children?

State your opinions..etc..

(note; USA question)

@happy
Urm, I'm talking about the insane kind of parents who force it upon their kids and do not give them any choice, at all for religion...

Edit2: Forcing religion (I mean FORCING) on someone does NOT make them believe it, sure, it makes them put up an act.. Not like they actually believe it. I myself am an Atheist , but was raised/Being raised in a Christian family . .-.

edit3: Urm, I'm a teenager.. So it's plan too, and I do plan to teach my children when I eventually have them about most religions and give them a choice on their own religion..

Answer 1

When I went to Church. I was not about to hire a baby sitter so the little darlings could stay home! No way! I also was not about to stop going to Church because the children didn't want a Christian upbringing! I am the adult. Get it?

Answer 2

I don't know how a parent could force religion on their children unless the children were teens. Forcing a teen to be religious will only make them drift further away.

I'm all for raising children to be a particular religion [Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc] because in a world today where moral values lack so much what harm can it do. Teaching kids about all sorts of religions is also a very good idea.

I think religion should be a very important part of ones life. If it's not--that's okay too but I still think it's an extremely good thing. If parents want their child to be religious and practice that religion good on them. Sticking to your beliefs, teaching them to your children, and raising them with religious morals is a good thing in my book but not forcing it upon them.


EDIT-- I think people are confused about what you mean by forcing. What do you mean? Please give examples and I think you'll get better answers because we'll all fully understand the question. Do you mean forcing as in dragging a teen to church by the ear? Do you mean forcing as in telling your children about that religion and having them practice it until they are able to make their own decisions about it? Please, let us know so we can answer the question knowing exactly what you mean.

Answer 3

As an antiest do you (or plan to) teach your children about God?

I guess if you didn't that could be considered force by some. Almost like lying by omission. Not telling someone something is still a lie, know what I mean?

I am a Baptist and my children are being raised as such. I make them go to church, at this point they do not think they have the option not to go, they are only children. When they get older and start to question, I will use the Bible to explain their questions. I think I would have to make a choice at some point for them to make their own choice about it. I am not sure if I will set an age for that, something like you will go to church with me until you are 16, or if I will take each kid as it comes and check for readiness(in my eyes) and maturity.

My husband does not attend church with us. He believes in intellegent design, but as far as I know has not developed that belief very far.

So I am sure this issue will come up for us.

Answer 4

in some religions, passing along the religion's teachings is the basic part of parenthood...(and the very reason people procreate)

Personally I was raised Catholic until my mother was "excused" from the church for divorcing...as a result I researched other religions (at the time had a very narrow view of all things non-Catholic)...I am now raising my own child...we talk frequently about all religions. He has developed his own sense of God...he's a believer and I am a questioner- but I will do nothing to stop my child's beliefs...I will however make sure he is forever aware of the infinite amount of differing opinions out there.

Answer 5

I don't believe it is right or at all productive to force religion on a child. Actually I don't like religion full stop! I found that Jesus didn't come to start one, so it is pointless. Religion is actually people's ways of trying to relate with a God. However, from His point of view, a relationship with Him is life, and outside of that it is otherwise, i.e separation from His life which culminates in eternal death. This is why Jesus came - to lead us into life which is a relationship with God whereby you actually get to know Him. Now I teach my children about God, and help them to come into a living relationship with Him. This is valid and responsible as is giving them an education, and teaching them about civility, cleanliness etc. No one would argue with that. Some people may think this amounts to forcing religion down their throats, but that's only because they don't really know that God is real, and that He is good. I don't know anyone who has come into a real relationship with God who wants to get out of it, or doesn't want to invite (not force!) others. It's just absolutely the best thing in life!

Answer 6

Religion is not forced but taught to children. Much as parents teach their children proper behaviour, good manners etc. Would you consider that forcing? It is a belief system that parents obviously find important enough with share to their kids. I find it almost amusing that converted atheists become increasingly hostile to those who practice religion. Ironically, some atheists, in their crusade to persuade people to follow their "religion of non-belief" begin to sound like the televangelists, priests or ministers that they so abhor. It's a good thing that most christians will turn the other cheek (in compliance with their religion) rather be confrontational.

Answer 7

Idont agree with forcing religion on children, however that doesn't mean that I dont think children shouldn't be given the chance to choose. Therefore I do think children should be taken to church, or the mosque or whatever, and encouraged to ask questions and make up their own minds when they are old enough. For example, I went to a Catholic school, and attended Sunday school at a Methodist church and a CofE church, I also went to church youth clubs. Now as an adult I am not particularly religious, in that I do not attend church regularly. However I do have my beliefs and it was very important to me that I married in church and had my children Christened. My daughter also attends a church club,which she really enjoys, but when she is older she will have the choice to be confirmed if that is what she wants, I would not make that decision for her.

Answer 8

Well, in my case I guess that was true... My atheist father tried to force me not to believe in God! But despite his lectures and insults about how stupid he thought I was for believing in God I live a very happy, productive life and I'm a member of the catholic community.

It is true that families teach their religious beliefs to their children. But unless they are like my father was I wouldn't say that we impose or force our religions on our children. If my son would all of a sudden question our beliefs I would accept the fact that he is an individual and he is free to form his own opinions.

Answer 9

First off, your a teenager with no children. When you grow up, become an adult and have children of your own, maybe you will be able to understand why parents make certain decisions.

My religion, Christianity, teaches that it is my responsibility to teach my children about God and Jesus, and to guide them to God. I can not save my children, only they can do that, but it is my responsibility to lead them to God. Kinda like the saying "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." Well, I may not be able to make my kids "drink" but certainly feel I have a responsibility to lead them there.

You may not believe in God, Jesus, Heaven, or Hell, but I do, and I certainly want to do everything I can to try to ensure that my children go to Heaven.

You could also ask, why does the government force kids to go to school, when there is a chance that they will one day become a lazy, no working, bum. You have to give them the knowledge, and they have to one day take the lead.

Answer 10

lol ya it does
not to mention a teenagers biggest thing
is not having a choice
andi know cause im a teen lol
but ya if they are going to be religious it has to be on there own. and not to mention if you force them a certain life style they are gonna rebel so much. i know 2 kids that are 17 and 18 and religion has always been pushed on them. and they are some of the biggest druggies i know. so ya parents can be hecka stupid sometimes. they need to get it through there head that we can think for ourselves and make our own choices ya know... =)