For those with children...or those who plan to have children in the future?

Question

How do you raise your kids when it comes to religion? I've heard many who state that their parents "forced" beliefs on them that did not fit. How should a concerned parent educate their child/ children in matters relating to religious beliefs without forcing your personal beliefs on your kids?

Answer 1

I think parents should teach their children a wide range of beliefs, from Christianity to Atheism to Buddhism and let them decide as they get older.
Otherwise its just brain washing. I'm raising my daughter with a wide range of beliefs this way, even though I am atheist.

Answer 2

Raising a child is going to include a parents beliefs no matter what. We have a standard that must be set down whether an atheist, a christian etc. If you believe in God then God is going to be in that home. If you believe in Buddha then buddah is going to be in the home. But raise the child with morals. When they are adults, then they can have the own choice to continue on in what they have seen or not. All I know is that I believe in God and my daughter is very active in the church at 12 years old and loves to go. Now, when she gets older and wants to go on to another thing, I will continue to love and care for my daughter.

Answer 3

Well my religion isn't like it's a question of belief so much as some others.
I raise my kids Jewish but that means many different things. They live with Jewish culture and go to Jewish schools. They go to Jewish schools not so much for religion - which could be taught much more affordably in Hebrew school- but for the quality of education that no other school can attain. There are kids in their school who come from orthodox homes and kids from reform homes. So there is a spectrum of observance at home even though the school itself is founded on Orthodox standards. They happen to live in a religiously observant home. They might turn out orthodox, they might turn out reform, or maybe some where in the middle . But I'm doing my best to teach them the law in it's entirety so that their choices are well-informed. I care more that they respect and know their heritage than that they 'believe', because I think knowing their history and heritage will lead them to believe.

Answer 4

I believe that religion is never something that should be taught to anyone at anytime no matter how young or how old. At the same time, if you don't attempt to teach anyone what you believe, then you teach everyone that what you believe isn't true.

Instead, what should be taught is answers to the four great questions in life:

Who am I?
How did I get here?
What am I here for?
Where am I going?

Evolutionism has no valuable answers to those questions:

Q: Who am I?
A: You're just another evolved animal.
Q: How did I get here?
A: You're just an accidental combination of chemicals.
Q: What am I here for?
A: Eat, drink, and be merry...
Q: Where am I going?
A: ...for tomorrow you die.

Creationism has valuable answers to these questions:

Q: Who am I?
A: You're a valuable and Loved individual for whom Christ, the Son of God, gave His life that you might have eternal life.
Q: How did I get here?
A: In the beginning, God chose to create mankind in the image of God.
Q: What am I here for?
A: God has given you the commission to tell others about Jesus so that they, too, might be saved.
Q: Where am I going?
A: Jesus has promised that He is preparing a place for you in Heaven so that you may be where He is.

Now, you evolutionists might say those are not valuable answers because they are not true. Beside the fact that 99% of evolution cannot be proven, I say it is better to have positive values to present. Then, when the end comes, there are four possible outcomes. Who's better off?

1. You live your life as an atheist, with no eternal hope, caring only for yourself, and there is no God -- so, when you die you're just dead.
2. You live your life as a Christian, full of eternal hope, caring for everybody, and there is no God -- so, when you die you're just dead.
3. You live your life as an atheist, with no eternal hope, caring only for yourself, and there is a God -- so, when you die you go to burn in the Lake of Fire.
4. You live your life as a Christian, full of eternal hope, caring for everybody, and there is a God -- so, when you die you go to live forever in Heaven and then on the Earth made New.

Answer 5

I try to teach them to be a good person first, to always be honest, polite and considerate of others. Religion doesnt really come up very often, we dont go to church so they are not subjected to any conflicting ideas from that area, but when it does I try to be circumspect and would never tell them that I consider religion to be wrong in any way. I think that's a decision they will have to make on their own once they are mature enough to do so

Answer 6

You don't have to "force" your beliefs on your children, but you should teach your beliefs to them by practicing your religion. If you do not teach them anything about religion, they will never be interested in it or have any reason to enjoy it or appreciate it. Or have tolerance and understanding for people around them who are religious.

My father was a priest but we were never "forced" to participate just encouraged. My husband is an Evangelist in the same church and we also never forced our kids to participate and all 4 of them are very active. Our son is a Deacon and our daughter is engaged to a Deacon.

I guess I would say it's more of a teaching rather than forcing.

Answer 7

I home school my child about religion and as she ages I will teach her more of the bible and what the bible has to say and what is bible doctrine, not what a church says with all it's man made doctrines and many strings attached. I will bring her up in a way that is good for her if she turns away from it she'll come back to it. Theres a statement in the bible that says what parent will give it's child a poisonous snake to play with?

Answer 8

because we are are individuals, there is no set way. Please, please. please, pray for guidance in your specific child. Ask GOD if your religion needs to be forced on your child & how to lead him/her.

My parents have a very strong, distinct, religious, belief in Jesus the Christ. However they are not strict about it. Dad is an artist also, but did not force that on me either. Often times I thought..."If dad would have forced me into the Marines, like he was, I would'nt be having this problem", or if he would have made me appreciate artistic talents, I could draw now.

But at age 40, I am thankful mom&dad raised me loosely. I had a very rebilious spirit & could have run even further from Christ if they would have pushed me. Enstead they lay a foundation that never left me, even when I acted against it. Now I have a love for Jesus Christ very similiar to my dad's.

Answer 9

I encourage my children to seek education in all religions, philosophies and systems of belief. I don't force them to embrace my spiritual beliefs but as a mother I do guide them with my personal philosophy. That is unavoidable. I allow them to go to religious services with friends, I teach them about various beliefs in a positive way (I never talk smack about religion) and I encourage them to embrace what feels right to them. As small children I read stories based on different religions but I explain that they are stories based on such and such religion.

I expect them to make up their own minds about something so important. I will guide them but I will not proselytize.

Answer 10

I grew up in a non-religious home. As a result, I explored every religion I could find, on my own. I learned a lot, and was able to decide where my soul felt at home, on my own. I don't have a problem with this at all, and am glad that I had the opportunity to do that, rather than being brainwashed into it as a child. I had no previous "baggage" to have to toss out, or re-learn.