Is it wrong to force children to go to church?

Question

This topic really infuriates me. Living in the US with no state-wide religion, I see many around me going to church on a Sunday because their parents are forcing them to.
Doesn't this contradict religion concepts?

Answer 1

There's a fine line that needs to be walked. As a mother, I have a responsibility to my children to let them be where they can learn truth and feel close to God. I loved going to church as a child. I make an effort to ensure that my children do, too. We bring activities to keep them happy during the "boring" bits. And they all love going to Sunday School, anyway, so no force is involved.

I believe free will is important. Like you said, yes, forcing children to church (when they don't enjoy it or want to go) is in contradiction of religious concepts. That said, they would have no concept of religious concepts if they didn't go to church.

This is why I believe it is a fine line that we walk. Religion can be good or bad... depending on the freedom the parents give to the children to think and explore, as needed. I have seen some people destroyed through ultra-religious parents, who didn't really understand their own religion properly.

Answer 2

I have grown up being taken to church every week and I have always loved going! I don't think it is at all wrong for a parent to take their child to church. It is a great place to learn morals. Most parents only want the best for their children and Christians, like any other religion, believe that it is important for their children to grow up with God. When they are older they can make their own decisions and question more deeply their religion but as children it is up to the parents to teach them about God. Making a child go to church is just like making them eat their vegetables or go to the doctors. They may not appreciate it but the parents are doing what they believe is best for their child.

Answer 3

I don't think it is exactly force to take your small children to church no more than it is force to enroll your children in school. I think at a certain age you should let them decide if they want to continue going or not. So I don't think it's wrong for parents to take their children to church because ultimately they will make their own decisions about what they want to believe. Parents are doing the best they can with what they know and they are just trying to steer their kids in what they feel is the right direction. Children have to be guided somehow and it is the parents' responsibility.

Answer 4

WE have two children. We had always had the rule, Sunday morning is church. You are in our home, you go. We never forced them to go to meetings or youth groups. Sunday is our family day. As a parent I must raise my child the best I can according to my belief system.

I never told my children they had to believe the way I did. You cannot force your children to believe, you can only hope.

I never begrudged my family an hour a week for something they wanted to do. Families love and encourage one another. I hated softball, but I went to many a game. If you do not like or want to practice your parents faith, how about having the love to do something with them without starting a war about it?

Answer 5

No, a child is to be brought up learning about God (as it pertains to Christianity), it falls on the parents to ensure this, per the Bible. A child is under the direction of the parents until they reach the age of 18. Now maybe you can not make them go after like 16, however, at a young age, there should not be a problem, they are in the care of their parents. If we stop allowing families to raise their children according to their own beliefs as it pertains to religion, you are taking away their rights as parents. The world, or at least the USA, has gotten worse due to the fact that parents are barely allowed to even discipline their children, look how bad things have gotten due to it. We as a nation took God out of the schools and brought in the police, what a trade off! Despicable!

As long as parents are not abusing their children, leave them alone to raise them how they see fit and according to their own beliefs. To many people in private family business these days.

Answer 6

I was forced to go to church every sunday as a kid. I liked being able to spend time with my dad, but I always hated have to leave sleepovers early in order to be bored for an hour. I wouldn't say that forcing your child to do something is wrong, but telling them that this church/religion is the only right way and truth is wrong.

A person should be able to experience and learn about all religions before having to commit to one or none at all.

Answer 7

Parents have a responsibility to their children.
I think a lot depends on your definition of the term "force"....
In my own experience, little ones are all too eager for Sunday School and children's church...
Maybe if the kids are fighting the idea of going to church with their parents, there is something wrong with the church??

Answer 8

No. It does not. As a matter of fact, the Bible COMMANDS parents to teach their children the ways of the Lord.

Is it wrong to force a child to get dressed in the morning? To go to school? To eat something besides cupcakes and candy?

Is it wrong for a parent to force a child to quit stealing? Is it wrong for a parent to force a child to obey?

Friend, you need to think about it. Why shouldn't a parent insist that their children learn the most important things in life!!
Do you think going to church is crippling their spirit? Harming their pysch? doing damage to their individuality? BALONEY.

god bless

Answer 9

Funny you should ask... I just went through this with my father regarding my sons who are 14 and 13. They are done going. My 14 year old says he's an atheist and the younger sibling will go when I go. I don't force them.. I was raised Catholic.. My father said, If they were my kids, I'd kick them in the rear end and make them go.. I told him that's why the rest of his kids never go anymore. I go out of respect for him and hopefully my boys will learn decent values,but with the molestations and church scandals I can understand why people don't attend mass these days.

Answer 10

I have had many children live with me (foster parent) including my own adopted children and I have NEVER had to force one of them to go to church. They love it.

On the other hand, if I had a child who didn't want to go to church, ...well, honestly, they would come anyway. I don't think I'm a big child abuser if my child sits two hours in church.