i am currently in rcia classes for caticolism...long story short...i married a catholic..intrested in knowing why he believes the way he does..started rcia and realized that it does make a lot of sense...now i am wanting to get my children involved.
as i was a child, my parents didnt "make" me attend church..so there really wasnt any religous background involed..my parents think that i need to let my children make up their own mind when they "grow up"
what do you think? should i give them the tools to work with or send them into the world blind?
2007-10-13 04:54:29 · 25 answers · asked by Mindy S 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Many children, regardless of the belief/unbelief they are raised in, experience a period of questioning -- and for those raised in a particular faith, sometimes rebellion against it. They will ultimately either abandon religious faith altogether, embrace a different one, or return to the faith of their parents.
Personally, if a child's parents are of a particular faith, I'd rather see them raised in that faith as a foundation -- right along with other values that make them civilized human beings. You wouldn't let a child decide for herself whether to have manners, treat others decently, or tell the truth, would you? We teach our children what we feel is important. What they do with it when they become adults is their decision.
2007-10-13 06:49:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
One af the really bad times I had was when my oldest realized that we had been lieing about Santa all those years. Gods are exactly the same, there is no real reason to believe in them except for 2000+ years of rationalization.
It is better to learn what morals are and why they are right or wrong, rather than just following religious rules where the why is firstly because "god said so" and then oh by the way, harms others.
It is ok to raise kids with an awareness of religions and the things that they teach, but you shouldn't make them suscribe to a belief. You do need to teach a good sense of empathy, social conciousness, and why various cultures consider some things right and others wrong.
2007-10-13 12:07:29 · answer #2 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would teach your children the religion of love and charity.
Wisdom and understanding are far more valuable tools then the afterlife guilt trip of catholicism...plus you may want to get a background check on your priest, he may be a diddler.
If catholicism works for you fine. Imposing belief on young minds is how the church ensures it's continuity.
As the new age approaches and conciousness begins to evolve the old ways of the church are slowly going to die out. Just look and see how much the church has changed to keep up with the times..didn't it take them 400 years to admit the earth revolves around the sun? The catholic church is not what it once was because if it was nobody would go. Of course they want you to "bring your children into the fold" they need to keep their coffers full.
Why do you so MANY people leave catholicism?
think about it? Introducing your kids now will only make them laugh at it when they're older. Instill values in them now, and then show them how the religion espouses those values in the works of Jesus and oither biblical characters when they are old enough to understand that he bible is a book of parables and metaphors
2007-10-13 12:04:51 · answer #3 · answered by coatofskin 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I have the greatest respect for my parents for NOT making me attend any church, and not forcing on me any beliefs I did not choose of my own free will. From their example, I support the right we all have to choose our own beliefs. I would let the children grow and develop their own "tools" - rather than stunt their growth and send them into the world with tunnel vision.
2007-10-13 12:08:11 · answer #4 · answered by WMD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was forced to go to church, I hated it and resented my parents for making me go. But you know what, as an adult I am so glad that I did go. My parents were not over the top Christan's, and set a good example on how to treat people. They never judged and would never allow us to judge. So I won't tell you your right or wrong but hope that you can make a decision you're happy with. It is fun to share family Sundays together.
2007-10-13 12:08:01 · answer #5 · answered by lucidwillow 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My dad forced me to go to church when I was little and I hated it. It wasn't in my heart and since I was going only because I had to, I didn't pay attention or learn anything while I was there. I actually would pray and pray for it to end. Long story short, I'm not a Christian as an adult. When children grow up and start making up their own minds they will believe what they want to believe no matter what they were taught as children. I've seen it time and time again....
2007-10-13 11:59:13 · answer #6 · answered by Tiacola Version 9.0 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
I just had this disscussion at work the other day. I feel that a child needs to be raised in a religion. I am catholic and my boyfriend is not, we arent getting married or anything, at least not yet, but we had the conversation about what we would do with our kids. I think kids need to be raised in some type of faith, to have some stability in their lives then when they are an adult they can choose whether or not they want to continue. I was raised catholic, made my confirmation 4 or 5 years ago now and continually love it. Good luck!
2007-10-13 12:00:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 4⤋
Don't send them to school either. They can decide what to do with maths when they are adults.
The logic is the same. If you believe in what is taught in church, then you want to expose your children to it. If you think it-s really not important, then don-t bother them with it.
In other words, be real.
2007-10-13 12:00:37 · answer #8 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As an adult christian raised by a believer and a non believer I greatly benefited from going to church as did my siblings. No one forces belief on you though even if you are made to go to church. I am the only one of my siblings that goes to church and it is because as a Christian parent I am to raise them up in the church I have taken my children to church. My son has been a believer for many years and my daughter is just now going through classes, but she was able to say to me in earlier years I just want to have fun and following God may curtail that. God has to work in their life, not me taking them to a postive place of like minded people.
2007-10-13 12:10:30 · answer #9 · answered by Ron T 1 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Your parents allowed you to chose your own way, and you have ended up in a religion.
Why not let your kids do the same?
When they are old enough to understand and make a valid choice, then they can do it, just as you are now.
2007-10-13 11:59:44 · answer #10 · answered by Grotty Bodkin is not dead!!! 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋