children and religion

[melloncollie_girl]

do you think its right for parents to teach their religion to their kid as soon as they can understand it? i was raised catholic my mom (my dad is lutheran) and a little while before i was confirmed, my common sense kicked in... first i thought if my mom believes one thing, and my dad another, which one right? aren't both equally likely of being true? and for that matter what about non-christian religions? i don't know shit about any of those.. maybe those are more believable. then i started thinking.. how likely is it that there's a god, am i wasting my time? then- god doesn't accept gay people? i dont know anyone gay but they dont seem like they should go to hell.. then- I didn't ask god to die on the cross for me, and now i'm in debt to him? i'v been jipped!

and so now i dont believe in the cathlolic religion even though i got confirmed to appease my parents. i dont believe in any religion. i believe in the possibility, but always in the back of my head, i still believe the catholic god exists and i'm sinning everyday for ignoring him. i still believe in him because it's been pounded into my head since as far back as i can remember. every sunday for an hour... every wednsday at ccd class... every night at the supper table. it's like i'v been brainwashed or something. and i think that may very well be why many young people believe it too. am i just crazy?

[Sullen_Girl]

I don't believe in any gods, nor do I plan on having children. But if I did, I think it would only make sense to explain to my child that there are a multitude of religions and people have different reasons for the following them. If there was a particular religion I practised, I would make it known that my child would follow that religion until they are mature enough to compare my way to other ways and make their decision based off the information that acquire.

[SaraiLoruhamah]

do you think its right for parents to teach their religion to their kid as soon as they can understand it? NO! Religion corrupts people, you gotta figure out whats right or wrong by yourself.

[Blind_Melon_Chitlin']

^Exactly, do not impose your religion upon your child. My parents (well my mom) sort of raised me to be Lutheran, but they never forced me to beleive in God and didnt force me to read Bible passages. Because they gave me the freedom to think for myself and believe what I want to believe they have made me open minded instead of always going with what my parents say. Your child has a brain, it can think for itself and make its own decisions.

[forest_pixie84]

Hell no it's not okay. I can't even begin to tell you how all that stuff screwed up my childhood.

[DuskBreeze]

I think if you do believe in one particular religion, then its difficult not to want your children to follow it. I am a Christian but I go to a modern church (affiliated with Calvary Chapel in the US) where nothing is actually rammed down anyone's throat. I take my children too. But I am not going to hide the fact that there are other religions and that some people choose not to believe in anything. Our church does not baptise anyone until they are old enough to be able to make the decision for themselves.

I also just wanted to say that, in Christianity, its not gays that God doesn't accept. Being gay is seen as a sin, just as being an adulterer or a murderer or theif is seen as being a sin. God still loves each and every person, but he does not like the sin. And anyone who does sin, or does not repent their sin (including the sin of being gay) will ultimately be rejected by God. I realise this has nothing to do with your post though, so I apologise for going off topic.

DB

[sugrmag]

We go to the Unitarian Universalist Church. If my children don't feel like going, they stay home with dad. It's great because they draw from Christianity, eastern religions, paganism, science, etc. Children's church this year teaches a different religion each month. I love it because everyone is so different-Christian, Jewish, Atheist, Pagan, etc. and we all get along great.

[all_rhodesian_reject]

My parents both raised me christian, and i'm damn grateful they did :)


Oh and of course I plan on raising mine as christians....

[Jack-a-Roe]

I was raised in a Christian home and am myself a Christian...I have no children now, but when i do i have intentions of raising them just as i was. although they will be raised this way, it is their own free will given by God to choose him or not. I can not force them to have that relationship because it will be ultimately up to them.

[Bocks]

I think religion should be taught in school, but as a class, to help students make a decision as to what they want to do. You know, have an hour of The Principles of Agnosticism on Thursday afternoon, Taoism 101 on Monday morning.

[Burbot]

i was rasied knowing about Christianity, but it wasnt even as far as "Jesus is our Saviour and Lord", we just had these short books that told Bible stories [The Good Easter, Noah's Ark, Moses in the Reeds, A Christmas Story etc], but we loved em just cause they were great stories [my favorite was Noah cause the animals] :rolleyes:

that being said, when my parents found out that i didnt identify myself as Christain [although i believed in God, and Jesus, i believed in a multitude of other things as well], i think they were ind of concerned, and they told me to not tell my Baba that

i had been given a New Testament in grade 5 [which i think most kids have been, at least here], but i never read it until probobly May of this year...

all that being said, when i did become Christain [which happened sometime in March or April this year i think] i dindt tell my parents for some reason [its not really their business, but i guess it would be better them knowing what i believe than thinking i believe something completely different] and still haven't...i should really do that...

i dont really have an opinion...ill do what i do, and i dont know what that is yet

[logchopper]

do you think its right for parents to teach their religion to their kid as soon as they can understand it? i was raised catholic my mom (my dad is lutheran) and a little while before i was confirmed, my common sense kicked in... first i thought if my mom believes one thing, and my dad another, which one right? aren't both equally likely of being true? and for that matter what about non-christian religions? i don't know shit about any of those.. maybe those are more believable. then i started thinking.. how likely is it that there's a god, am i wasting my time? then- god doesn't accept gay people? i dont know anyone gay but they dont seem like they should go to hell.. then- I didn't ask god to die on the cross for me, and now i'm in debt to him? i'v been jipped!

and so now i dont believe in the cathlolic religion even though i got confirmed to appease my parents. i dont believe in any religion. i believe in the possibility, but always in the back of my head, i still believe the catholic god exists and i'm sinning everyday for ignoring him. i still believe in him because it's been pounded into my head since as far back as i can remember. every sunday for an hour... every wednsday at ccd class... every night at the supper table. it's like i'v been brainwashed or something. and i think that may very well be why many young people believe it too. am i just crazy?
no. the only reason people believe what they do is because it has been fed to them since they could think. most of it anyway. put everyone out in the world with no influences on religion whatsoever and see what happens.

[Bocks]

The thing is, that's what happened, and organised religion was created...assuming atheist theories are correct.

[logchopper]

The thing is, that's what happened, and organised religion was created...assuming atheist theories are correct.
but the way they made people believe was to say, "believe or we will excommunicate you". or, "believe or we'll hang you or chop off your head". therefore making religion so important. just beat it to 'em and they'll come around. so now everyone is just so used to what they did back then, its natural to teach your children what you believe.because that is what happened to you. and so on and so on and so on.

[thumontico]

Unfortunately the age when people think for themselves doesn't always come. Indoctrination is a fight against thinking for oneself, most often, it wins.

[heron]

My children are being raised knowing our religion. They are raised knowing of our ancestors, and our gods, and that our Great Mother provides. They grow up knowing that we are children of the earth, and that our ancestors are to be reveared.

They learn seasons and the influence they have on our lives, they learn the cycles of the sun and moon. They learn that we are brothers and sisters to the animals and plants, and that the world is a sacred place.

They arent forced to believe a dogma, but are taught to have an open mind, and to accept everyone for who they are, and that other people have different gods that we do, and that that is ok.

I teach them our mythology, and i also teach them others mythology.
My sons are raised to be the best men they can be, and to be themselves.
I live everyday to be the best example of a man for them as I can. To teach them honesty and honor, and respect for women. My daughter, when she gets here in a month, will be raised to know that she is a goddess, to be strong, and to respect herself and never feel lower than a man. Both sons and daughters are raised to know that they are equals, that the sexes make a beautiful balance in the world, and it is important to maintain this balance.

They are raised to be proud of their bodies, for they are sacred. And that sex isnt dirty and shameful, but a celebration of Male and Female in their most divine forms. They are raised to embody the most divine aspects of their sexuality.

and I cant think of any reason i shouldnt raise my children this way.

[mati]

I am a practioner of a religion that has been around for thousands of years, the psychedelic religion. The sacraments are pot, acid, mushrooms etc... My children will not be forced to consume these substances although I would highly recommend it to them.

[Sage-Phoenix]

Heron's philosophy is wonderful :)


My parents had me baptised as a baby, and I'm still pretty pissed about it. They are humanist in practise so were open minded and never really took us to church; I but still feel like I've been branded and am stuck press-ganged into something totally wrong for me. It was done with the best intentions, but it was their choice to make (gotta love the irony though).

Even so I don't honestly believe religion to be this evil mind control. There are good intentions behind it, morally dubious and corupted perhaps, but they mean well. it was done out of love and belief that it was the right thing. We all do that, even atheists. It is impossible not to raise children in an ethical vacum, so whatever you do they will pick up on your attitudes. That's primary socialisation folks, suck it up and deal.

So maybe my future children will become pagan, they'll certainly know what mama gets up too and can partake if they wish (who doesn't love halloween? :)).
Still they shall be free to choose their own path, anything that does no harm or infringe on other people's rights/choices is fine by me. Universal unitarian churches sound awesome, might take them along to one for lessons.

[SaraiLoruhamah]

1 a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion> b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
--^--Definitions of religion from merriam webster online dictionary
my definition-A set of beliefs that someone lives by.
I consider anything that someone strongly believes to be a religious belief- no matter what it pertains to. Some things are petty, and should not be pushed onto other people. Example- I strongly believe that I should not consume meat, but I am not going to preach to someone that I see eating a hamburger, and if I have children, I will not forbid them to eat meat. I am also a Christian, and I understand that different people have different concepts of God, so I dont get offended when a stranger says G-D. Children need guidance, but they also need room to reason and ask why.

[SaraiLoruhamah]

Did I even have a point there?

[Sage-Phoenix]

Yes, a good one :)

[Colours]

i think teaching children about religion from an early age is wrong. its like lying to them about santa, but they never learn it was all fake. I think many would find that if religion was taught to a handful of grownups who had never heard of religion before, they would think the person was absolutely insane. This alone should gives some insight into how silly some religions are.

[Random Andy]

I think (as I'm only a beginner in this parenting game meself) it's all about striking a balance, parenting that is.

There's no reason why you shouldn't read them (and later let them read) books that are important to you, there's no reason why these shouldn't include holy books from whatever faith. I guess it's important to try and get their interpretations of books though, rather than doing the educator/preacher type thing and telling them how to interpret what they read - I mean, where's the fun in that?

[TrippinBTM]

Well, I was raised Catholic, and at least when I was young we went to church every sunday, and I was in Catholic school (I think more because my parents went there rather than because it was Catholic). But even with all that, it wasn't really pounded into me. At some point we stopped going to church, though it seems we didn't stop believing. Fortunately, I was encouraged to read and I loved science; I was soon a disbeliever in many things in the Bible, though I still believed in God and Jesus in general. Eventually I became an atheist, then later got into Eastern spirituality and mysticism.

I don't think it's bad to give your kids a background in religion, as a sort of foundation. I mean, if you believe it, as young children they probably will too, it's natural for them. They're going to ask questions, and they won't be satisfied with "well, I don't know, it could be this way..." You could always explain that your answer may not be the full answer, or the right one, but you can still tell them what you believe. If I were to ever have kids (don't plan to), I'd give them my understanding of things, but still encourage them to be open minded and learn and grow for themselves. My parents never forced their beliefs on me, but they did answer my questions. That is the way to do it, I think.

[Random Andy]

I can't disagree with that. My favourite books have a certain amount of metaphysics and philosophy in common (Ursula le Guin, Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, 'the Lives of Christopher Chant') which I believe in, which is why they're my favourite books. I'm not saying I think those worlds exist but that they each teach real lessons about the real world. As long as you don't limit your child to religion I think it's fine.

[hailtothekingbaby]

I always liked the violent bits of the bible, especially the war against the Philippines (what the hell were those doing there anyway? :confused: :p) and Daniel almost being torn to pieces by lions, which I think would still be a good solution to our little christian problem. :)

It should be made illegal to try to convert anybody at all to any religion, including and especially your children. I'm not fond of the death sentence but in some cases it's just more satisfying than a few years in prison.

Teaching about the world's different cosmologies, however, is absolutely okay and should actually be encouraged. Open minds save lives!

[TrippinBTM]

Not the Phillipines, it was the Philistines. :)

[Gentle]

Yes, teach them any knowledge you feel to be usefull including all religions and metapysics. The key is to watch and make sure my kid doesn't follow my belief simply b/c I do; then shes not thinking for herself. Even morals are a tough question being so transitory and matter of opinion...I like the open mind choice.

peace, God bless

[TrippinBTM]

Gentle, I agree with you, yet at the same time, children certainly need guidance, especially with morals which they won't be getting anywhere else, not in our society. I think certain things should definitely be taught, like the basic 10 commandments (minus the ones that refer to god), thing's like: stealing is wrong, killing/violence is wrong (include animals and plants here), it's wrong to lie, etc.

What I'm saying is that not all morals are opinion or choice. Some are pretty universal. It comes down to "do unto others as you'd have done unto you." Now things like how you feel about gays, for example, won't be universal, but the Golden Rule applies here too. Teach tolerance first.

I think the best way is to have them feel an inward urge to be and do good. Not because of some outer punishment system (spiritual or legal) but because it's the right thing to do.

[campbell34]

i think teaching children about religion from an early age is wrong. its like lying to them about santa, but they never learn it was all fake. I think many would find that if religion was taught to a handful of grownups who had never heard of religion before, they would think the person was absolutely insane. This alone should gives some insight into how silly some religions are.
I remember some years ago two people I worked with in the maintence shop at the plant thought my religion was silly. I had a calendar over my work station with a Bible verse on it. Well, these two guys decided to tape some porn over the Bible verse. They thought it was funny and got a big laugh out of it. The next week when I got to work, I discovered that both men were missing. I found out that one of them had a mental break down, and it was discovered at the same time, that the other mans daughter had a life threatening brain tumor. All of a sudden, and for both of them, religion was not silly anymore.

[TrippinBTM]

what, god cursed the first guy with a breakdown, and cursed the other guys DAUGHTER to punish the man? Yeah, sounds like Bible logic to me... :rolleyes:

[campbell34]

what, god cursed the first guy with a breakdown, and cursed the other guys DAUGHTER to punish the man? Yeah, sounds like Bible logic to me... :rolleyes:
I believe that God keeps evil at bay to some degree. Yet when you insult God, He removes that protection, especially when people mock Him. It was their actions, that brought evil on themselves, and their families. In the case of the girl, I recall asking God to heal her, and it was one of those rare times in my life when I heard the voice of God. He clearly stated to me these words, "I will heal them, as you have asked." Three weeks later, this girl made a full recovery, and the doctors told the parents, not to worry. The doctor told them, "it was if I didn't even half to operate." The girl is doing fine today, and the one who had the mental break down made a full recovery as well, and that year I even received a Christimass card from him. The same God that flooded the earth will come again. The world hates him and his words of truth. You might have religion, but religion with out God's truth is useless. Religion will not save you.

[TrippinBTM]

Yes, when it comes to porn hung on Jesus calanders, he's right on top of it, handing out diseases and mental illness. When it comes to genocides like the Holocaust, Darfur, Rwanda, and all the others, or to evil dictators bombing innocents (Saddam and the Kurds, for example) he's nowhere to be found. Oh sure, eventually the killing stopped, and Saddam is on trial, but that's not divine justice. That's God's laisse faire approach to omnipotence. Is he just lazy? Is he toying with us? You play a joke on a coworker and you get cursed, you kill millions of innocents and... nothing.

What a Mighty and Just God this is...

[Gentle]

Gentle, I agree with you, yet at the same time, children certainly need guidance, especially with morals which they won't be getting anywhere else, not in our society. I think certain things should definitely be taught, like the basic 10 commandments (minus the ones that refer to god), thing's like: stealing is wrong, killing/violence is wrong (include animals and plants here), it's wrong to lie, etc.

What I'm saying is that not all morals are opinion or choice. Some are pretty universal. It comes down to "do unto others as you'd have done unto you." Now things like how you feel about gays, for example, won't be universal, but the Golden Rule applies here too. Teach tolerance first.

I think the best way is to have them feel an inward urge to be and do good. Not because of some outer punishment system (spiritual or legal) but because it's the right thing to do. I agree with that not teaching them simple dogma with little explaination is what I refer too. Teach them the practical and logical reasons why murder isn't a good idea not just "Thou Shalt Not" kinda deal.

God bless, peace

[jonny2mad]

its a interesting question , personally I dont think children should be taught a religous dogma , I think its ok to explain why you believe a certain way but I think its up to the individual to choose whether they believe or not .

at a very young age children dont have a fair chance to make their own choices , now in some religions parents are taught that they have to teach their children certain dogma and the child really doesnt have a choice .

this happens to lots of people involved in the religion Im most interested in at the moment islam.

if your interested in islamic suicide bombers often you see pictures of type of muslims involved in this activity as children dressed up in parades as suicide bombers .

you also see the mothers of bombers very happy that their children have blown themselves up and a load of innocent people too .

and they often say how happy they are that their son is with the dark eyed virgins in heaven .

to me this shows that these people have been brainwashed thoughout their life to get to the point of blowing themselves up for a fantasy world .

this is why I think just letting parents teach what they like could be quite dangerous


some pictures of mothers of suicide bombers with captions of what they said on arabic tv, also some pictures of effect of attacks thats on the last page of a thread about images related to islam.

some of the earlier pages have pictures of children dressed as suicide bombers.

often you have pages celebrating people becoming Shahid or Martyrs on the internet and the parents will think they will get blessings for having such a son or daughter

anyway interesting pictures

http://www.faithfreedom.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13967&start=30

[Shane99X]

You raise your children with what you consider to be truth.


Personally I think anyone who follows a religion is misguided.

That said, I can't respect a man who believes something to be the ultimate truth and doesn't share it with his children.

Just as I will being raising my son as a secular humanist I would expect any other parent to go with their heart.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_humanist

Speaking as an atheist and a father.

[jonny2mad]

a lot of my friends who are ex-muslim have to worry about their parents finding out that they left in case their parents kill them .

so you have little if any chance to learn about other religions while growing up , and then you cant openly leave because people try to kill you .

and this happens in the west not just in islamic theocracys, personally I would call this a form of child abuse, Im not sure how to deal with it but the fewer people who think like that the better

http://members.aol.com/colwillj/SB1-1Final-1.gif


http://members.aol.com/colwillj/SB1-Final-2.gif

http://members.aol.com/colwillj/SB2-Final

[shotgun_pulse]

my feelings on religion are mixed. i dont know if there is or isnt a god. i just dont really care. i can attend church or not attend church. its not that im for or against it. i just dont really care about any of it. however, my fiance is an atheist. a devout atheist. he wants to raise our son that way. i'm more for letting him build his own opinions. if it makes him feel better to believe there is a god, than thats fine with me. if he wants to practice atheism, thats fine too. just so long as ultimately the decision is his.

we have a while anyways, our son is only 1 1/2.

[MrRee]

do you think its right for parents to teach their religion to their kid as soon as they can understand it? i was raised catholic my mom (my dad is lutheran) and a little while before i was confirmed, my common sense kicked in... first i thought if my mom believes one thing, and my dad another, which one right? aren't both equally likely of being true? and for that matter what about non-christian religions? i don't know shit about any of those.. maybe those are more believable. then i started thinking.. how likely is it that there's a god, am i wasting my time? then- god doesn't accept gay people? i dont know anyone gay but they dont seem like they should go to hell.. then- I didn't ask god to die on the cross for me, and now i'm in debt to him? i'v been jipped!

and so now i dont believe in the cathlolic religion even though i got confirmed to appease my parents. i dont believe in any religion. i believe in the possibility, but always in the back of my head, i still believe the catholic god exists and i'm sinning everyday for ignoring him. i still believe in him because it's been pounded into my head since as far back as i can remember. every sunday for an hour... every wednsday at ccd class... every night at the supper table. it's like i'v been brainwashed or something. and i think that may very well be why many young people believe it too. am i just crazy?
it's like i'v been brainwashed or something. and i think that may very well be why many young people believe it too.
You have been brainwashed, along with everyone on the planet in one way or another. Find out all that you can about "paradigms" of thought. Once you understand how your mind works and how it is influenced, you can break free. That is how and why I created my CDSubliminal business. If you'd like I can PM/email you some info on how your mind works.
am i just crazy?
Not at all ~ you are questioning the premises upon which your life has been founded, and that is a good thing. Always remember that there are great truths embedded in all religions, and these two shoud launch you on your journey ~~
1] Ask and it shall be given; seek and ye shall find,; knock and the door will be opened unto you.........
2] Know the truth and the truth will set you free.
Dig it? http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Stillravenmad]

When I have children, I will teach them my morality. Along with my morality includes my religious beliefs. If wanting to teach your children what you believe is right is a crime, then I'm a criminal conspirator. So sue me.

Raising a kid with certain ideals and beliefs does not force them to spend their whole lives thinking that way. My parents raised me with certain ideas, many of which I've grown up to not agree with. They raised me as a Jew, which I no longer practice. But I also grew from the things my parents taught me. I've learned a lot of really great things from it. I probably wouldn't think the way I do now if I hadn't been raised Jewish. Far from holding me back, it has made me grow as a human being. And I like who I am, so they must've done something right.

[greengoddess]

I really don't feel it is right to push your beliefs upon your children.. I've only see it do harm not good...
I believe in a freedom of choice... if Aden wants to be christian..buddhist.. pagan.. and so on.. I really don't care as long as he's happy and spiritually fulfilled.. now I'm going to share with him my own beliefs.. and the beliefs of his other family members. but it will be his choice if he goes to church with his grandparents or stays home with mom and dad.. I will never love him any less if his opinions don't match mine..

[teh-horace]

I really don't feel it is right to push your beliefs upon your children.. I've only see it do harm not good...
I believe in a freedom of choice... if Aden wants to be christian..buddhist.. pagan.. and so on.. I really don't care as long as he's happy and spiritually fulfilled.. now I'm going to share with him my own beliefs.. and the beliefs of his other family members. but it will be his choice if he goes to church with his grandparents or stays home with mom and dad.. I will never love him any less if his opinions don't match mine..well that sounds familiar =)

but exactly
religion is personal
which means it's one's own choice
i'll tell my children about religion if they ask (as i plan to study diff. ones in college)
and if they choose to follow whatever religion
then that's damn fine by me
i'm agnostic as of now
and if i still am when i have kids
i won't tell them to not believe in god because they can't be sure if he's there or not
nor will i simply neglect religion as a whole
religion is a part of everyone's life
as everyone is affected by it
so i'd prefer my children to be instructed, not ignorant =)

[greengoddess]

very well said.. :)

[NaturaAtraSpiritus]

The way I was raised, was to believe in the bible, but read it myself and make my own sense of it. My dad always told me to stay out of churches until I had read most of the Bible, because then I might notice that a lot of them were ass backwards... and yes I did..

[Zion]

Religoin was intended to be good advice, you should give your children good advice.

[heron]

I am not sure how I would feel if my children choose christianity.
I would berate them, and shame them for worshipping the desert
god, but i wouldnt disown them. Just make their stays unplesant,
or just avoid talking about it.

Would still love them of course, but it would be a horrible shame
for them to choose the lie that our ancestors were given, rather
than to honor and worship our gods.

To teach your children religion is good, but to teach them
lies is not. That is the difference. I wouldnt want them being
chrisitian, or any other crazed cult out there. That isnt religion.
Of course they will choose, nothing will be truley forced, but
i dont have to be tickled shitless about it.

[busmama]

I am not sure how I would feel if my children choose christianity.
I would berate them, and shame them for worshipping the desert
god, but i wouldnt disown them. Just make their stays unplesant,
or just avoid talking about it.
lol, what a christian attitude, it reminds me of the way my granmama treats me and my faith.

We try to teach our children our faith, and to allow them to be exposed to others. That said however, we like most parents of course push our faith more, and I have to admit I am trying to keep them away from all organised religion's until they are older and not so subject to mind control. While I let them hear others belief, I have a brother in law that would snatch them up and take them to the baptist church up the road if I would let him, but I won't. So I can't claim total neutrality.

[heron]

lol, what a christian attitude, it reminds me of the way my granmama treats me and my faith.


How is that a christian attitude? I am not close minded to my children being of other faiths, i said that before, i am closed to them being christian. I would give them a hard time because it is a fabricated religion, with no basis, other than political control, and a horrible track record.

If they want to be buddhist, fine, atheist? thats fine too, though disappointing. We have pride in our ancestry, and our gods, and
to betray that for Christ is one of the worst things my children could do,
that and drug addiction.

Christians have the attitude you referenced because they think that only they are right and any thing else is the devils trickery. I on the other hand, do not claim to be the only right choice, but that doesnt mean that there arent wrong choices.

So take your fluff and stuff it, because its not only a christian concept to give people a hard time for their choice. If my children turn to the ignorance of Christ then i will wonder where I fucked up, and I will test their knowledge and reason of the choice they made.

Thats the attitude i have, and it is not a christian one.

[busmama]

damn, i was just commenting that your post struck me as funny,

I am not christian, and know NOTHING about you or what you believe, so I also have no opinion on what to teach or want from your children. I personally would be very upset if my kids chose, christianity, islam, jusism, or any religion, I believe all religions are mind control institutions. However, I would not give them a hard time or do anything that would keep them from wanting to visit me. I love my grandma more than anyone, but really it does get tiring for her to tell me about christ all the same things that you are sayin. She feels I betrayed her (and my families) gods (or god or whatever) I feel I found a better and truer way. If my kids decide that is what they want, oh well. I certainly would not consider it my right or duty to teach anyone's children anything, or to tell you how to treat your kids. lighten up

[heron]

Sorry then, just struck me wrong i guess, a christian attitude as you put it is quite offensive lol.

sorry =P i am defensive.

[busmama]

I understand, perhaps I came off wrong. I actually agree with you in theory, and was thinking to myself that you will probably not have that problem anyway, because you will be teaching your children wisdom instead of "do this because we say or else".

sorry if I offended
peace

[Sera Michele]

I am not religious, so I really have no religion to pass onto my children. I do plan to be open with them regarding my opinion on different religions, and considering the way some religions push themselves on people I will make sure they are educated properly about different religions and religious history so they aren't easily manipulated by religious conformity techniques. I certainly won't let any person try and tell my young, impressionable child that they have to follow their beliefs or they are going to go to hell after they die.

It wouldn't bother me at all if my children wanted to experiment with different spiritual beliefs at some point, but I would definitely give them a peice of my mind if they wanted to start telling me I am going to hell or I need to be saved, or tried to drag me to church. I'm with Heron on this one, there are just some religions that I will not encourage (and specifically discourage) in my household.

[WhisperingWoods]

I'll not teach my kids to believe hear-say and mythology. They can evaluate that stuff for themselves.

[heron]

I'll not teach my kids to believe hear-say and mythology. They can evaluate that stuff for themselves.

I guess that means you just have nothing to teach.

[andallthatstocome]

it's like i'v been brainwashed or something. and i think that may very well be why many young people believe it too. am i just crazy?
everyone is a little crazy, just as everyone is at least a little brainwashed. To proceed, modern people have to spend a considerable amount of time removing parts of the superego.

[TheRealPamela]

I think it is almost inevitable to not share your beliefs with your children. I ws raised Christian but would provide my children with whatever religious texts they want. I believe in being a good person, not hurting others, and having a respect for the planet and its animals and each other moreso than what a book has told me. I am happy with how I live and I believe if god exists then she/he will see that I have done what I can and would appreciate everyone being compassionate.

[Pmeth]

My parents taught me judism ever since i was born when i turned 10 i started wondering away from it reading up on other religions i just came up with my own theorys , i never settled down to my religion , Hey i might tell my children to find the religion that tickles there fancy. If they really want to get into that stuff.

[mamaboogie]

indoctrination and brainwashing only differ in one main aspect, the age of the person you are forcing to believe what you think they should believe. No, I do not believe in forcing my beliefs upon my children. I am raising them with a broad religious education and the ability to choose whatever path is right for them.

[mr.morrison]

do you think its right for parents to teach their religion to their kid as soon as they can understand it? i was raised catholic my mom (my dad is lutheran) and a little while before i was confirmed, my common sense kicked in... first i thought if my mom believes one thing, and my dad another, which one right? aren't both equally likely of being true? and for that matter what about non-christian religions? i don't know shit about any of those.. maybe those are more believable. then i started thinking.. how likely is it that there's a god, am i wasting my time? then- god doesn't accept gay people? i dont know anyone gay but they dont seem like they should go to hell.. then- I didn't ask god to die on the cross for me, and now i'm in debt to him? i'v been jipped!

and so now i dont believe in the cathlolic religion even though i got confirmed to appease my parents. i dont believe in any religion. i believe in the possibility, but always in the back of my head, i still believe the catholic god exists and i'm sinning everyday for ignoring him. i still believe in him because it's been pounded into my head since as far back as i can remember. every sunday for an hour... every wednsday at ccd class... every night at the supper table. it's like i'v been brainwashed or something. and i think that may very well be why many young people believe it too. am i just crazy?
im the exact way, except my dad isnt lutherin. he lives in pittsburg. started thinking right brfore confirmation too. and i feel the same way. except i know gay people and CCD is on sunday for me

[mr.morrison]

We go to the Unitarian Universalist Church. If my children don't feel like going, they stay home with dad. It's great because they draw from Christianity, eastern religions, paganism, science, etc. Children's church this year teaches a different religion each month. I love it because everyone is so different-Christian, Jewish, Atheist, Pagan, etc. and we all get along great.
my family isnt too open minded, my grandpa's sister and her husband and their kids. go to that kind of church, and i am the only one of the grandkids of my grandpa (cant figure out how to word it, maybe the 2nd generation? the kids)
who does not resent them for not being catholic or protestant and who doesnt think them "weird stupid liberal hippies". if i did, i would not be on this site

[Sera Michele]

My husband seems to think that here in the US it is pretty much inevitable that every kid will end up going through what he calls a "christian phase." That at some point a kids friend will get them to church and someone will trade them candy for salvation, or something the like, and they'll get "saved" like their friends. I sometimes wonder about that because there are very, very few people I've known that have never been a christian at some point in their lives, and those are all pagans who's families have been pagan for generations.

I definitely think it is inevitable that any culture's predominate religion is going to impact and influence a child in some way, at some point in their lives. Parents that think they can completely sheild their children from any socially dominate ideal are fooling themselves.

[erzebet1961]

I was raised baptist, then at 12 my uncle became a penticostle minister, so we joined His church. My mother is a Catholic, and I eventaully became a Mormon, with Wiccan beliefs as well, and raised my children as mormons, UNTILL, they were old enough to ask questions and make up their own minds. I cant lend them my faith, they have to find their own.

[heron]

how confused is that...

[Freedom_Man]

I know man, i have that same problem, like comon sense tells me otherwise, but my parents pounded jesus and christianity as the only way when i was young, and i know it to be stupid and ignorant but its always in the back of my head. So sucky. I mean i like jesus but i dont put my whole life to him, i didnt ask him to die for my sins and make me accountable, its such a jip deal, believe my way or the highway. Life should be ecstasy, fun, happiness,love,joy,togetherness, not fear of hellfire, being right or wrong, come on enjoy it!!! Fuck your brainwashing, let us think for ourselves!

[erzebet1961]

I don't consider it CONFUSED, I think of it as being able to see into everyones beliefs ,

in every religion there is a bit of truth!!!!

[WhisperingWoods]

Kids should NOT be brainwashed into believing their parents' ideas about anything, they should form their own opinions and ideas of the world with as many of their own experiences as possible.

I was, myself, almost tricked into believing a load of shit :D

[heron]

I teach my children of our ancestors...our celebrations..and our lifestyles...which is all my religion....If i didnt teach my children our faith...then i would have nothing to teach...because we live it every single day.

[IllusoryFreedom]

Kids should NOT be brainwashed into believing their parents' ideas about anything, they should form their own opinions and ideas of the world with as many of their own experiences as possible.

I was, myself, almost tricked into believing a load of shit :D
Me too, except it was by a "friend". I was basically made feel worthless and that I was a bad person, just because I didn't go to church. That messed me up pretty bad until middle school, when I realized how retarded that crap was, even though I was no longer friends with that bitch by then.
There's no escape from fundies pushing their beliefs on kids, whether it's their parents, friends, or those "nice" people who wait outside the elementary school to pass out free bibles easily brainwashed children.

[WhisperingWoods]

I found it great fun to tear up a book with such great meaning to some.

I just feel that it should be alright for kids to question their family's religion, whether they're just not feeling it, or they've acquired new beliefs.

[BeaverKoffi]

Mormons are some crazy people.... turning back to civilization like that... is just stupid thing to do.... if they only UNDERSTOOD that... eh so many stupid people, almost like animals...

[Mesektet]

All I could think to do in the child-rearing situation is answer all questions as clearly and objectively as possible. Encourage question asking and introspection...

[Columbo]

do you think its right for parents to teach their religion to their kid as soon as they can understand it?Well since most of the worlds religious leaders cant explain the basis of their religion to adequetly prove they arent insane, or just making it up about the existence of god, you are going to have a hard time finding parents that believe in god willing to give a balanced view. IE one which points out the reason for believing and not believing. The church is an establishment that needs new supporters to survive and the techniques of persuasion and coercion are subtle and forceful at the same time. You generally do not find people who teach atheism to kids at an early age, but the insidious nature of the church is to play on parents fears and tells them the kid has to be a christian or will be doomed after life and will be immoral during life if they dont have the values of the church. In essence that is basically the scenario and the bible teaches it.
Most Protestants in England would allow the child to choose religion when they are old enough to understand that implication

[natureslaze]

do you think its right for parents to teach their religion to their kid as soon as they can understand it? i was raised catholic my mom (my dad is lutheran) and a little while before i was confirmed, my common sense kicked in... first i thought if my mom believes one thing, and my dad another, which one right? aren't both equally likely of being true? and for that matter what about non-christian religions? i don't know shit about any of those.. maybe those are more believable. then i started thinking.. how likely is it that there's a god, am i wasting my time? then- god doesn't accept gay people? i dont know anyone gay but they dont seem like they should go to hell.. then- I didn't ask god to die on the cross for me, and now i'm in debt to him? i'v been jipped!

and so now i dont believe in the cathlolic religion even though i got confirmed to appease my parents. i dont believe in any religion. i believe in the possibility, but always in the back of my head, i still believe the catholic god exists and i'm sinning everyday for ignoring him. i still believe in him because it's been pounded into my head since as far back as i can remember. every sunday for an hour... every wednsday at ccd class... every night at the supper table. it's like i'v been brainwashed or something. and i think that may very well be why many young people believe it too. am i just crazy?how can u be brain washed.... u obviously made a desicion that u dont agree with it so u dont belive it and if u dont belive it YOUR NOT BRAIN WASHED. second off i go to catholic school i dont agree with all of it but if u were to research catholosism u would find the religion itsself is fine... its the people that fuck it up... ignore all those stupid rules and dealys like abortion... read the ten comandments and do a wee bit us research on the teachings of christ. all in all the curch says be good and forgive others... aka LOVE. its not that bad.

i personaly have a problem with organized relgions because they prohibity people from finding out what they actuly belive and insted send them off on a goose hunt to understand a set of belifes layed out by others. YOU CAN NOT "BELIVE" somethign you do not seek to understand or accept, so to say your catholic does not mean u belive it... i do not call myself catholic even though i belive and fallow alot of the teachings of teh church. but the fact of the matter is untill I EXCEPT each teaching or theory or philosophy I CAN NOT BELIVE IT.

... anyways thats what i have to say on the matter.

P.S. acording to the church being gay is not a sin, but acting on it is

[Benther Dondat]

do you think its right for parents to teach their religion to their kid as soon as they can understand it? i was raised catholic my mom (my dad is lutheran) and a little while before i was confirmed, my common sense kicked in... first i thought if my mom believes one thing, and my dad another, which one right? aren't both equally likely of being true? and for that matter what about non-christian religions? i don't know shit about any of those.. maybe those are more believable. then i started thinking.. how likely is it that there's a god, am i wasting my time? then- god doesn't accept gay people? i dont know anyone gay but they dont seem like they should go to hell.. then- I didn't ask god to die on the cross for me, and now i'm in debt to him? i'v been jipped!

and so now i dont believe in the cathlolic religion even though i got confirmed to appease my parents. i dont believe in any religion. i believe in the possibility, but always in the back of my head, i still believe the catholic god exists and i'm sinning everyday for ignoring him. i still believe in him because it's been pounded into my head since as far back as i can remember. every sunday for an hour... every wednsday at ccd class... every night at the supper table. it's like i'v been brainwashed or something. and i think that may very well be why many young people believe it too. am i just crazy?
“Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things, but for good people to do bad things, it takes religion.” Steven Weinberg

[Apples+Oranjes]

I can relate to the OP a lot. But both of my parents were catholic. And, before my confirmation, I expressed my feelings of doubt and concern to them, but it didn't matter... My dad said, and I quote "Well you're going to get confirmed whether you like it or not, and when you turn 18 you can do whatever you want, though I hope you will choose the right path and follow the guidance we raised you with...."

Unfair? YES. The day of my confirmation I was miserable. I felt trapped, and disgusted with my parents for not respecting the fact that I had a mind of my own, regardless of how young I might have been, or that I carried their DNA.

It is one thing to raise your children with a particular religion, but quite another to push it upon them when they begin to ask questions and develop a mind of their own. I never resented them for raising me catholic, but I did (and sometimes, still do) feel sore about the fact that they walked all over my pursuit to grow and expand, simply because they didn't agree.

With that said, my fiancee and I have decided we aren't going to have children...but we have talked in the past, that if we did end up having a kid, how we would raise it, and religion was one of the issues we discussed. We both had the idea, to simply educate our children about many different religions, when old enough to be able to grasp the concept of religion itself, and if they wanted to be a part of a religion we wouldn't stop them, and we would do our best to give them the materials they need to educate themselves on the particular religion that might interest them.

I would want my hypothetical children to be educated about as many religions as possible, because it is important to look outside of what you know and learn about the world around you. I wouldn't want ignorant children. However, in no way, shape, or form would we practice any type of religion with the children. (Him and I are both fairly agnostic...I more atheist than agnostic, he more agnostic than atheist, it's difficult to simplify into one term/category)

Now,


I also just wanted to say that, in Christianity, its not gays that God doesn't accept. Being gay is seen as a sin, just as being an adulterer or a murderer or theif is seen as being a sin. God still loves each and every person, but he does not like the sin. And anyone who does sin, or does not repent their sin (including the sin of being gay) will ultimately be rejected by God. I realise this has nothing to do with your post though, so I apologise for going off topic.

DBI have to admit that kind of offended me, and I do realize that Christianity does in fact teach that, regardless of what your personal take on it may be...but its ridiculous, and it's even more ridiculous that anyone would teach that kind of prejudicey. "Being gay" is NOT a "sin", no matter what your religion may teach... it is just like being male or female, african, or polish... they are who they are, and they have nothing to be sorry for, and it is ridiculous that the religion should teach them to feel sorry, and repent for being who they are.

So someone is gay loves another person of the same sex...at least they are practicing love and not hate. The religious argument over homosexuals and bisexuals REALLY fires me up, and it REALLY offends me. And maybe I should have bit my tongue about this, because its a touchy subject and the OP isn't about this particular topic...but this is one subject I can't let slide, because it drives me nuts. I won't bite my tongue when it comes to this.

I also want to add that, I think its ridiculous that you, or your religion threw homosexuality in the same category as adultery and murder.

[aloneinabigbadworld]

I personally don't have a problem with parents talking to their children about religion. I talk to my children about it, but my attitude has always been one of leaving it up to my elder two kids (they're 18 and 17) to decide what they do.

Part of me wonders if some of the dificulty expressed in this thread is cultural. My family have found that some aspects of religious life in Texas can be opressive on occasions. Opinion polls in America show that most Americans think you can't be "good" without being religious. In Europe people think you can. Maybe parents are just worried that you'll become less "good" if you don't show evidence of belief.

[TheMadcapSyd]

I see no problem teaching your kids your religion, as a parent you teach your kids what you believe is right, and then they will go through their 14 year old "baaaahhhh, fuck god!!!!!" phase, then they'll either choose a religion for themself which normally winds up being the one raised as or become atheist/agnostic.

[Benther Dondat]

Once the fractured brand of you-me, yours-mine has been seared into the innocent consciousness of our infant babes then the die has been cast. Our babes become the conspirators and the propagators of the lie. Conform…compete…consume…breed!

How fine the line between irresponsibility and abuse!

“Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things, but for good people to do bad things, it takes religion.” Steven Weinberg

[campbell34]

We go to the Unitarian Universalist Church. If my children don't feel like going, they stay home with dad. It's great because they draw from Christianity, eastern religions, paganism, science, etc. Children's church this year teaches a different religion each month. I love it because everyone is so different-Christian, Jewish, Atheist, Pagan, etc. and we all get along great.
The Bible tells us that God is not the author of confusion, if you draw from all these religions that counterdict each other, than you will be confused even if you think you got it right. God has a plan, yet the Bible tells us few will ever understand it. I can see why.

[campbell34]

^Exactly, do not impose your religion upon your child. My parents (well my mom) sort of raised me to be Lutheran, but they never forced me to beleive in God and didnt force me to read Bible passages. Because they gave me the freedom to think for myself and believe what I want to believe they have made me open minded instead of always going with what my parents say. Your child has a brain, it can think for itself and make its own decisions.
If you don't teach your child what to believe, the world will. It's to bad the parents of the two who killed all those students at Columbine didn't spend a little more time teaching them right from wrong. Apperently, those parents did not impose their religion on there children. Which resulted in the creation of two murdering monsters.

[BlackGuardXIII]

Inevitably, at some point, I feel we must take the responsibility for what we believe. It is our choice, whether our parents raised us to be whatever way. My family is generally atheist, and I was sent to sunday school and christian school because they felt it was good for me, but I noticed that they did not go to church. So, it was clear they weren't religious. But, my mom set a good example for me that led me to study things myself and then make up my own mind on things. It was a very hard path, since no one wanted me to ask so many questions and got frustrated when they couldn't convince me to agree with them. In the end I learned to not care who agreed with me, or what others believed, but only what I did. If I had studied something, and others could offer nothing new that swayed my views, I would not change them. It is what I call common sense, and taking responsibility, which is part of adulthood. Most people I meet, whatever stripe they are, don't do that. Very few do, probably because it is so difficult. If you make waves, don't play ball, don't go along with some group, and vocally express that you don't agree with their views, then it is likely you will face obstacles. Jobs become harder to find, and people who do join the crowd are generally in a position to get the job, deal, sale, etc. It makes every aspect of life harder, but it is worth it to me, because I know that whatever happens, I made my own bed, and if I am wrong at least I can say that it was my choice. It is very rare to find people who will respect others rights to believe what they wish, and treat them as equals.

[Maryslittlebrat]

I prefer to just show my kid ideas, introduce them to all modes of thought and religions and if they like one cool, if not, cool
God bless

[Mirakel]

its like teaching my kids that racism is bad. teach them what is important to you, what you believe to be true. im eternally grateful to my christian parents

[lifelovefun]

Teaching children religion is one of the most abusive things you can do to them. It's worse than any physical abuse because of all the guilt, shame, and self hatred that it brings into them.

Fuck Religion - And Free Your Mind :)

[CSP101]

^ I disagree that teaching religion is nessicarily abusive. It can open their mind to more possiblities than they thought existed. And only closed minded religion with strict and stupid rules really leads to guilt teaching your children of all religions can be one of the most mind opening and beneficial lessons in their childhood.

[repro-bait]

not one parent in the whole world, whatever their religion has a right to indoctrinate any child with such nonsensical stuff as the existence of a god. any god!
it is one of the most negative, if not THE most negative traits a parent could possibly exhibit.

[killswitchjd]

No one can say it is wrong for a parent to teach their child anything, its there right as the parent.
That said, in many cases this will cause the child to later question why the fuck religion is so important and the logistics of the religion based on the worlds' standards. So it may end pushing them further away. Religion and logic must exist together, so if you do teach your kids be sure you can explain all aspects of this with near perfect logic, or good luck when they grow up and think for themself.

[Moon_Beam]

Parents should be able to teach their children anything providing it does not do harm. So I think children should be taught choice and if they are brought up in a Christian family, they should have the right to question and change their mind just as children brought up in non-Christian homes. Just because a childs parents are religious it doesn't mean that the child will grow up and non question anything for themselves.

[yumyum2k5]

I was raised in no religion. i was raised to know that humans arent the most powerful beings in existence and that there is always that which we cant see.

i was raised to know there was an all powerful creator who loves all and helps all and i was raised to know there are angels and that even though people are gone from the earth, the arent beyond reach. I was never made to go to church and neither of my parents went, i never heard the word god or jesus in my house.

I then somehow stumbled across what i believe to be the truth in a world of confusion and that is rastafari. Neither of my parents know much about rasta and i dont tend to talk about it with them on a spiritual level just because.....they can tell im free.

my sister is 2 years younger then me and by coincidence she has come across the same realities without any influence from me or parents. When i have children, i will raise them the same way, not to be egotistical and think humans are the almighty force in existence. I got faith my child will be free.

[yafula]

do you think its right for parents to teach their religion to their kid as soon as they can understand it? i was raised catholic my mom (my dad is lutheran) and a little while before i was confirmed, my common sense kicked in... first i thought if my mom believes one thing, and my dad another, which one right? aren't both equally likely of being true? and for that matter what about non-christian religions? i don't know shit about any of those.. maybe those are more believable. then i started thinking.. how likely is it that there's a god, am i wasting my time? then- god doesn't accept gay people? i dont know anyone gay but they dont seem like they should go to hell.. then- I didn't ask god to die on the cross for me, and now i'm in debt to him? i'v been jipped!

and so now i dont believe in the cathlolic religion even though i got confirmed to appease my parents. i dont believe in any religion. i believe in the possibility, but always in the back of my head, i still believe the catholic god exists and i'm sinning everyday for ignoring him. i still believe in him because it's been pounded into my head since as far back as i can remember. every sunday for an hour... every wednsday at ccd class... every night at the supper table. it's like i'v been brainwashed or something. and i think that may very well be why many young people believe it too. am i just crazy?
aha hell no ur not crazy. i was sort of the same. baptised Catholic, went to a cotholic school etc but my parents didnt believe it really, but yet my granparents were VERY strong catholics and i was braught in malta a very catholic country

anyway i dont think religion at all should fed to children, the bullshit my grandmother told me about being catholic and jesus etc used to make me fucking scared of life. Thankfullly my parents didnt help me believe in it and i came to my own senses when i looked at the world around me - the nuns in school were the most wicked women iv ever met - and theyre favourite kids in school were always the ones that went to mass EVERY morning before church. Most of them nuns and teachers treated me different to the kids that went church, just because i didnt fucking go. YET these kids again were bullies, racist and generally fucking assholes, AND i was a quiet girl, soemtimes bullied by these pricks yet some of the teachers and most of the nuns thaught it was ok because they prayed on theyre rosary beads every night and i didnt.

aha and then when i found out that just over 100years ago catholic priests made peasants pay to get into heaven made me even realise more about what fucking bullshit kids are taught about being a good catholic

So being a Catholic twat is o.k, as long as you go to church and pray.But being a person with good morals and ethics means nothing if u dont go to church and pray??? thats what a lot of kids are basically braught up thinking. much to the dissapointment of my school i didnt get confirmed . they always ask me why. lmao

im not saying that all Catholics are like this, i know there are nice ones

[Spiritawakening]

I agree with you here. i was brought up with my parents were into spiritualism and the like. I was taught that there wasn't a devil and that god loved us. Funny because over the last year both of them have become religious. i have a younger brother -as in uder 5- and he is being brought up going to church etc. I feel bad about this, but what can i do.

[heron]

We raise our children on the lore and ways of our ancestors, as part of life, not as a seperate thing....as religion seems to be for most. Our ways provide answers and understandings, and promotes freedom of thought and individuality. I would be wrong not to raise them that way, and honestly, it is so engrained in all that we do, i wouldn't know how to.

[jimifan123]

i some what agree. b/c some teachers might not know all the info. but on the other hand it could give us a better under standing of other religions so we cant offend any one of that religion

[jamaican_youth]

I don't think its right to impose certain beliefs on children. Kids believe anything adults tell them, and for that reason it's wrong to teach children what their religion is when they can't yet really decide for themselves. They haven't properly developed their judgement or critical thinking yet. Children should be taught about religion, but not taught to believe in religion, if they choose too later on thats fine, but don't impose beliefs on them when they can't dispute what you're telling them.

[woodsman]

I don't think its right but people are going to do it anyway.

[Olympic-Bullshitter]

www.bostontenpoint.org

[djulian]

I cannot even convince my daughter to poop in the potty. How am I going to explain that there may or may not be a god with or without proof? At least the poop flushes cool. Swirly.