What to tell kids about god ,if I'm not sure I believe in my catholic religion anymore ?

Question

I don't want my doubts to interfere with them. Should I wait and let them decide when they are ready or go ahead and let them go to religion school.

Answer 1

let them decide what they want to believe in.

Answer 2

Questioning the Catholic religion is very different than questioning your faith and beliefs. You do know what you believe in, right? Just because you take the organized religion aspect out does not change that. Teach them what you believe to be right. Be honest about the things you don't really have figured out right now (you'll never have it all figured out anyway!). Give them all the information you can and when they are ready they will make the choice that is right for them.

Questioning religion is NOT a bad thing. That's how we grow and develop our faith and beliefs. Who wants to believe in something they can not question and be curious about? I don't think that we are supposed to just blindly believe. What good is our belief if we can not even justify or defend WHY we believe it?

Answer 3

Basic Christianity is the same between all Christian denominations.

Here is a nice outline for a kindergarten religion course that you can use to get started: http://www.faithfirst.com/html/catechist/scopeSequence/kindergarten.html

You should let them go to religious education.

A proper exposure to God and religion can help to counteract the bad influences that popular culture is constantly throwing at all of us in books, movies, TV, songs, advertisements, and even video games.

I think that if we expose our children to all this immorality without the moral anchor of God and religion "and let them until decide when they are ready" then we would be unwise, irresponsible, and frequently too late.

With love and prayers in Christ.

Answer 4

I think that you've answered your own question. If you do not wish to influence your children by revealing your doubts about your religion, you apparently want them to be raised as Catholics. If that is how you feel, then by all means send them to a religious school. One alternative which you might consider, however, if you do not care to have them overly exposed to religion, is to send them to a public or nondenominational private school and to church on Sundays. That sort of education would allow them a less strictured view of life so far as theism is concerned and would enable them to learn beyond the scope of religious indoctrination. If you truly wish for them to develop the ability to decide for themselves what to believe or reject, you should provide them the opportunity for an education free from religious dogma. Good luck!

Answer 5

I don't believe in god, but I have made the decision to let my children decide for themselves. If my son wants to go to church, then I will take him. And I don't think that you have to make a huge deal of religion anyway. Answer the questions that your children ask, regardless of your own feeling on it. My son came in one day and told me that there were people outside telling him all about Noah's ark and how it had dinosaurs on it. I don't generally bad mouth Christians to my boy, but I did this time, I told him not to listen to the people because they were nut jobs. But I did sit him down and told him everything that I know about Noah's ark, but more in a bedtime story way than a factual way. He is aware that some people believe things that I don't.

Answer 6

As their parent, why don't you search the scriptures yourself and find the answers to teach them.

The Bible is God's written Word to us.
It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.

“Above all you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21. (New International Version)

Breakdown of the Bible
36 human authors inspired entirely by God over 1600 years.
66 separate books

39 Old Testament
Genesis- The creation of the world, sin, flood and birth of Israel
Exodus to Esther- History of the nation of Israel
Job to Proverbs- the books of poetry and wisdom
Isaiah to Malachi- Prophecy or foretelling of the future events to come.

27 New Testament
Matthew to John - Four Gospels representing the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ now with all authority in Heaven and earth.
Acts- Birth of the Church (The Bride of Christ)
Romans to Jude - Letters to the Churches
Revelations - The ultimate future plans for: The Church, Heaven, Hell, a New Heaven and a New Earth.

Here are some Bible Study Resources for anything you may want to look up:
http://www.Biblegateway.com
http://www.Ntgateway.com
http://www.Bible.org
http://www.bible-history.com
http://www.answersingenesis.org/

Answer 7

Rather than sending them to a religious school, educate them about world religions and even atheism, so they can make an educated decision for themselves when they are old enough. In the longrun, they will love you for giving them freedom of choice and in the process, you may even discover a belief system that makes you happy, too!

Answer 8

Why would you send your kids to brainwashing school if you don't even really believe the stuff (unless of course, your spouse does perhaps)?

Let them choose based on facts rather than conditioning. For that to happen, you can't be trying to influence their decision at an age when they simply accept what they are told without question.

Answer 9

If you're not sure about your beliefs, you should actively seek the truth. Take the RCIA course at your parish. Read books like, "What Catholics Really Believe" and "Catholicism for Dummies."

Why sit in confusion? Wouldn't you rather figure it out for real? Then you'll know exactly what to tell your kids.

Answer 10

Unless you're having doubts about God, you should still teach them about Him. You don't need to teach them a specific religion to teach them about God. Be a good, godly example to them in everything that you and your spouse do and they will make good decisions, including the ones about God and their own personal beliefs. As far as the schooling goes, you might as well send them so they get those good influences from peers and non-family relationships (i.e.- teachers and mentors). i would just explain to them how to make their own decisions about their faith and to keep their heart and minds open to anything!! Let God lead you and he will never let you go astray.
Hebrews 13:5 "I will never leave you or forsake you."

Answer 11

Teach them ( and yourself ) that there are many many concepts about what god is, let them decide for themselves. Each person must find his or her own philosophy of a higher power. Instill in them the importance of being kind, generous and helpful to all persons.