time to put an age limit on religion?

Question

as most societies have age limits on what children can be exposed to.or make decisions that affect their lives,i.e.sex,marriage,alchohol,drive a car,join an army,vote and be legally responsible for their actions.should exposure to religion be included?why should kids be subjected to their parents religious beliefs no matter how extreme or moderate they are.should a child not be allowed to grow up and at a certain age be allowed to choose,if they wish,one of the many gods and religions available at the moment.they then can choose what to wear,eat or be controlled by either a pope,rabbi,cleric or priest.they can choose to use a condom,birth control pill or have an abortion without being condemmed to hell. i think 18 would be a reasonable age.

Answer 1

At age 18 they should be allowed to make their own choice. I agree. I would hope they make a wise choice, but as adults, the parents and rabbis and others should allow them to do just that.

Answer 2

I think that putting an age limit on something this personal is just plain foolish. We are who we are today, based on how we were raised, based on our childhoods - taking away every single decision a child has and then one day - one "magical" day - they get to decide their entire life from here on out. That's foolish for two reasons:
1. It's too much stress to put on a person.
2. We depict our futures and what happens next based on how we're raised, how we've grown up - whether that's religious, or otherwise.

If a small child is raised very religiously and wants to become a preacher or a priest, why not? If a child is raised an atheist and wants nothing to do with religion - why not? Everyone should have the right to be exposed to personal, religious beliefs - for some people, it entirely shapes who they are.

We're taking everything away from America's youth - they have no voice, no say in anything they do. Why would you take away their religious freedom as well?

This entire concept saddens me.

Answer 3

Putting an age restriction on religious education does not seem to be working out all that well in China. Muslims as well as Christians are arrested in China for either educating those under 18 years of age in religious beliefs or allowing the participation in religious services of those under 18 years of age.

Answer 4

Parents have an obligation to protect their children, which includes teaching the child "correct" behavior. Parents usually rely upon their religious knowledge to decide what behavior is correct. They also, if sincere in their beliefs, want to raise that child in a manner that will ensure his or her eternal life in heaven, nirvana, whatever. But we know what they say about good intentions. The Buddha taught a wonderful lesson, to challenge and scrutinize everything, even his own teachings. Never take anything at face value but put it through a logic test, a crucible.

Answer 5

How can you never ever impose your beliefs on your kids? Isn't that the point of raising them? Aren't you supposed to teach them what you know and believe to be right and true?

And how much sense does it make to leave your kids at home when you go to church? That's retarded! Eventually they WILL have a choice to stay to go, but it is stupid to take away the parent's right to share their faith or lack thereof with their kids.

I currently attend a church that encourages children to be baptized at a young age. I will be taking my kids to church with me, but I will also be dispelling the pressure to convert and be baptized. They do have a choice in the matter, and I will do everything i can to make sure they have a say so!

Answer 6

They are allowed to choose. The age of accountability is where a child is no longer covered by their parents. I can raise my babies in church everyday but by the age of accountability (which is believed to be around 12, the age to know right from wrong ) a child has to choose. They are accountable for their own sins no matter what the parents do. If they sin they must repent or there will be no forgiveness.

Answer 7

So I guess you plan to abolish "freedom of speech" and the good old "Constitution" that we all respect. Abolish, radio, TV, movies, music, news media, etc. Abolish religions. Abolish bars, theatres, churches, etc.

For your words of ignorance, I plan to continue teaching my grandchildren about the Lord Jesus Christ and you can continue to teach yours about bars, drugs, sex, do as you will and hopefully future generations can live in your world. Not even religion can stop the evil in this world. Evil gains on the religious daily.

Answer 8

how about we just tell everyone what to do then control every faction of their life right down to how they raise their kids and who or what they pray to.; slippery slope dude, I live in a free country where you can worship or not, and I am totally against being controlled by the gov't.

Answer 9

I think it should be the other way around. You should not prevent the children from coming to Jesus.
"People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:13,14

"And if anyone cause one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone ties around his neck." Mark 9:42

It would be wrong to deny children access to Jesus.

Answer 10

Religion is the domain of the wise, and wisdom comes with age. I'd suggest an age limit of 65. But only if they take away the vote from people over 65 also. Now that'd be some decent seperation of church and state.