Who says you have the right to choose your child's religion?

1. 57

   JackieH91posted 12 years ago

   As a parent, you do many things to help your child. This includes everything from changing diapers, giving "the talk" about "birds and bees", to homework and transportation. However, when it come to personal matters that pertain to their entity, their thoughts and beliefs, I do not agree with forcing your child to accept your religion as their own. I always resent my parents forcing me to go to church, and to this day I hate going to mass. What is wrong with allowing your child to experience different religions on their own? To help them study different beliefs and religions to see what they feel fits them best? It's crazy to decide what they believe before they can even walk or talk. Let them take charge of that important decision in their life.

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   1. 76

      wildernessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Would you encourage or even allow your child to experiment with hard drugs - to test them all out and see if it is for them? 
      
      That could result in their death, and no, you will not allow it.  Why then would you expect a parent to encourage their child to experiment with false religions that will, if followed, result in their spiritual death and eternal torment - a far more severe result than merely having their earthly body die?
      
      Personally, I agree with you, but also fully understand why a parent would wish their child to join them in their particular brand of mythology.  The parent knows what is true, the child does not, and there is a great deal to lose if that child chooses wrongly.

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   2. 78

      Shadesbreathposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You joined HP 2 hours ago, have no hubs, no avatar, and ask a question like this meant to piss off religious people.
      
      Congratulations on being the one billionth sock puppet troll on the internet.

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2. 75

   Eaglekiwiposted 12 years ago

   I took my children to Sunday School because I liked the idea that they were being encouraged to love ,show compassion for others and whole host of other good values to boot.
   
   It was to reinforce values at home and the social aspect was an added bonus as they grew older.
   
   They were never forced to attend any get togethers that they found 'over their head' or unduly long.
   
   Usually it was 15 mins praise n worship time then the kids left to either watch a video or some other activity for 30/40mins.
   
   During the week they had sports practice ,and I guess I was happy they had some kind of balance in the whole 'growing and learning' process.
   
   Shared lunches ,picnics,b-bq's social times were enjoyed by the whole family ,sometimes with other Christians ,sometimes not......
   
   As teenagers ,I accepted that  their interests would change,which they did ,but friends remained and now they are young adults with a wide range of friends-seriously all types.
   
   It is good to expose kids to people from a range of backgrounds,where they feel safe and acceptance.

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3. 61

   MamaTschetposted 12 years ago

   I think your issue is with your parents, not their religion. Family and religion are parents responsibilities, in my opinion.  Now that some of my children are old enough I don't force them to go to church, or what to believe in.  However, we laid that foundation for them, and they chose to continue on that path.  Now as adults they go to church (the same church) and worship on their terms and their time.  I would not do it any differently.

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4. 60

   Paul Wingertposted 12 years ago

   I would raise my child agnostic. Teach them to think for themselves and not to accept anything without question.

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5. 70

   puregraceposted 12 years ago

   I also think it's our responsibility to raise our children in our ways as parents if we are very sure of our faith and thoughtfully guide them along where they are free to discuss with us our reasonings. I know from experience that being forced to think a certain way made me rebel, but discussing the hows and whys of certain ways of thinking made me search my own thoughts on some deep matters much more carefully.
   It's funny...my two siblings and I grew up in the same household and we all had to travel our own path to God, and I would say, He led us to Himself in such a way that we trusted Him, not because of what someone else said or thought, but because He showed us uniquely how trustworthy He is.
   I know of families that left their children to their own devices when it came to religion and many of those children now don't know where to go and what to do about faith. Some, after much "experimenting," finally found a place in a church family where they are welcome and feel at home.

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6. 60

   Kevin Peterposted 12 years ago

   As parents our responsibility lies in the proper upbringing of our child or children. We cannot force anything on them, but definitely guide them in certain aspects which will allow them to choose the right thing for them

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