To thiests: What would you do if your child no longer wanted to pray, worship, etc.?

Question

I was inspired by this question
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmePcy5xl46vLjzoGJ7JX0_d7BR.;_ylv=3?qid=20071201081813AAqGgnO
to ask.

If you child told you they no longer wanted to attend church, pray, or otherwise participate in the religion you are raising them in, what would you do ?

Does it depend on the age of the child ?
What if they wanted to join a completely different religion ? Would it depend on the religion ?
What if they told you they were completely atheist ? Would that be worse than joining a completely different religion.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and opinions.

MIM - You got my question backwards, I asked if THEISTS (meaning those who believe in GOd) how they would feel if their children wanted to STOP believing in God, OR join a completely different religion.

Since you appear to be a theist, since you are speaking "on behalf" of atheists and not as an atheist, I am interested in how you would feel if your children told you they did not believe in God and did not want to go to church.

Evermom - A theist is someone who believes in God. If you a Christian, than you believe in God. I used the broad term "Theist" to include every kind of God believer, because I wanted a wide spectrum of answers.

Answer 1

From what I've seen, if the child is still a minor, the parent tries to force them to do it against their will. If the child is over 18, then the parent just whines at them.

No matter what religion my child would join, I would want to discuss it with them and see what they believed and why they believed it.

Answer 2

I am a former Christian, hope you don't mind me answering.

I was raised Fundamental Baptist, and if your child doesn't want to pray (depending on their age), then there's nothing you can do to force them. You can tell them to all you want, and they will go through the motions, which is insincere and something they will do just to appease you. They will sincerely pray if/when they want to. You simply just cannot make a person pray. I know, because that was me once.

If they are adult children, you are just going to have to accept it because it is none of your business--no offense, but you can't tell another adult how to live their life. If they are underage, then ask them why and talk it out. It may be that they just want to stay home and watch tv, or because their friends are not church-going, or because they may find the service boring.

Answer 3

I'm a Christian but I'm not a theist.

All the same, IMO, I think any time a child suddenly shows a change in behavior or attitude the parent should calmly discuss it with the child and find out what is going on to cause a sudden change. There could be so many reasons for a sudden change in attitude.

Answer 4

It depends on the age of the child. If a 5 year old told me he wanted to stay home and play, I could not allow that.

I think ALL children go through a stage of not wanting to attend church. I did.


I think if you force it too much or make an issue of it, you can turn a child away completely. I know of several people who MADE their pre-teens and teenagers go to church twice on Sunday, in the middle of the week, to every youth activity, etc.

ALL of the children turned away from the church completely for several years, and one of them even tried to poision her mom because of the indoctrination.

Let it lie when they are older. Each person will find his or her own path.

GOOD question!

Answer 5

I would tell them it's their choice, but I would ask them why and listen to them. We'd talk it out. If they still felt that way, I would accept it. God doesn't want people forced to come to him, or he'd force us himself. I'd be sad, and I'd pray for them, but it wouldn't change how I felt and acted toward them. If anything, I'd be nicer to them. It doesn't depend on the age, all kids are different. I'd rather them join a different faith, because then at least they would be spiritual in some way, easier to draw back if their hearts lead them that way, and there is truth in every faith. They will find their own ways to God, and maybe it is just something they have to go through. He has a plan, it's not MY plans that need to be fulfilled.

Answer 6

I'd support any decision that my kids make regarding their own spiritual path. I don't have the same beliefs as either of my parents, and they've always supported me.

Religion is a very personal thing. I can't make that decision for anyone, even my children. I shouldn't WANT to.

Answer 7

i know you asked for a theist... but i feel that i must have my input...

i think that you should let the child fined his own way, unless you honestly believe that they are just trying to get attention from it. then it needs to be corrected.
and that is regardless of what religion they believe in.

Answer 8

I am a Spiritualist with 3 daughters of varying ages

the oldest is drawn to Wicca
the middle one , very Buddhist in her thoughts
the youngest very much believes in Jesus

I respect them and their choices, even at their young age

Answer 9

The proper thing to do would be to let them find their own way. No parent has any business making any judgement about someone else's choice of religion. Period.

Answer 10

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