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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 7:31:08 AM | | I don't see any alternative to kids being saddled with their parent's idiotic beliefs, religious or not. There is very little wisdom that a child can understand, and so all that can matter is whether or not they are brought up to behave well enough, and play nice with others. They will learn mostly by the example of their parents, and not by any abstract rules or even fairy tales. In the case of religious instruction, kids do not pay attention to the words, they look to see how their parents act. Eventually we reach an age when we begin to think for ourselves. The kids who will begin thinking for themselves will do so no matter what they are taught, and the ones who won't, they might as well have one set of beliefs as any other. | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 7:40:49 AM | My folks were really good about it... They were Anglican but saw that I had problems with it and didn't push me.
I figure parents can teach their kids whatever they like, but if another kid tells them they are full of it, well that's how we learn sometimes...
If you're going to teach your kids that your god is the only one, you had best teach them about tolerance as well... Where I grew up, pushing your beliefs on the playground will not only get your ass kicked, but you'd be mocked for years...
Plus if you send your kid down a path not suited, they may have to backtrack... Teach them to be kind and the rest will follow. | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 9:35:07 AM | When a child is born into a household it is immediately indoctrinated with the religion of the parents almost from day one. 
"Ehem, lil' Timmy, hold your eyes open between naps and bottles and turn with me to 1Corinthians, please."
Thats not possible, doll.
I, for one, may point to their Savior, but do not shove them towards Him, knowing that by doing so they will be less likely to embrace Him as I have. | |
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Mr H2O
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Joined: 10/31/2006
Msg: 29 | |
| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 11:49:23 AM | Perhaps you've also told them about Mohammed, Budda, Islam, Hinduisim, Judaism,
etc.,etc.,etc., in addition to just " HIM " who might also save people every day by means of hope and inspiration ????
Bedtime stories , fairy tales, songs, music , television , it's all exposure.
Exposing young children to things that are "different" lets them know the world
has Billions of people that might not do everything exactly as they might do at home.
It's not a question of what's right or wrong - it's tolerance and respect for things that are different.
That way children may grow up and not bash each others' head in for stupid stuff like a certain belief.
It's like killing someone because they open an egg from the fat end or skinny end
because they happen to believe it tastes better when it's done that way.
If children are soooo extremly impressionable, let's lead by example
instead of just using some words in a book. | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 12:01:30 PM |
My children know about my faith, and I've done everything I can to not let them think I expect anything from them spiritually. They ask questions, I give answers or get them. They know about Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism... Let's just say that with a Mother who's fascinated by religion itself, they have a broad understanding of it. ;) Yet my oldest (13) has voiced many times his interest in Paganism. Is it truly his prefference or has he been influenced by Mom? All I can do is sit back and watch. Time will tell.
Well said. Good to see that you're helping to broaden your children's understanding of various belief systems from around the world. Had my family done that, I can only imagine how successful my siblings and I would've turned out.
It's not untypical (is that even a word? LoL) for a teen (or tween) to sit up and take notice of Paganism. For one thing, that particular belief system offers a lot of lattitudes for teenagers to explore the world and environment as well as themselves without all of the associated guilt that mainstream belief systems impose.
My hats off to you. | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 2:00:22 PM |
It's not untypical (is that even a word? LoL) for a teen (or tween) to sit up and take notice of Paganism.
I agree... I was that age when I was studying Druidism(as hard as it is to find subject material)... | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 3:17:41 PM |
It's not untypical (is that even a word? LoL) for a teen (or tween) to sit up and take notice of Paganism. For one thing, that particular belief system offers a lot of lattitudes for teenagers to explore the world and environment as well as themselves without all of the associated guilt that mainstream belief systems impose.
But considering that I'm Pagan I was prepared for just about anything except that. lol Little buggers know how to throw you for a loop. | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 6:47:40 PM | Perhaps you have told them about Mohammed, Budda, Islam
Firstly, I am no scholar in these religions so I dont feel I am the right one to teach them anything about them. (kinda like many who know little about mine but claim to)
Secondly, although I openly speak of my God and His ways, I allow my children to read/watch any material of their choice in regards to religion, excluding only those of violent sexual tones common in ancient times due to their ages)
Regulating their choice would be manipulitive and ungodly, me thinks. 
who might also save people every day possibly, but I wont teach my children of things that I know not of, would you?
That way children may grow up and not bash each other's head in for stupid stuff like a certain belief.
First of all, there are many posters here that do not share my faith, that I know, and not only do I not feel the desire to "bash their heads in" but I kinda like em'. Theyre flat out cool.  ~Elfan, Stone, Sky, just to name a few, I consider to be my friends and Ive learned much from them all.
Secondly, my God is a rather large part of myt life and "stupid" is not a word that Id use to express our relationship but rather awesome.
Lets lead by example Great idea, let us. | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 7:03:05 PM | Disarrano says:
I, for one, may point to their Savior
Their savior meaning jesus christ? Ok so you for one are a christian pointing your little undeveloped child's mind to believing in contradiction and illogic.
If it's a savior what is it saving your kid from? from doing that which god created it to do? or did god not intend for man to "sin" but allowed them to anyways.
You're a member of those people whom anti-theists like myself are desperatley trying to enlighten. And stop them from assailing their innocent minds from the sick concept of hell.
For that's what he savedsaves us from no?
<div class='quote'>Secondly, although I openly speak of my God and His ways, I allow my children to read/watch any material of their choice in regards to religion, excluding only those of violent sexual tones common in ancient times due to their ages)
Ahh so your censoring them from a large large part of god's creation. Which is logical. But then if it was all-knowing and all loving why would you have to? | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 7:16:17 PM | you for one are a christian pointing your little undeveloped child's mind to believing in contradiction and illogic.
My son is 15 and 6'2. I think he has developed and my daughter is almost as grown. ~And, should you choose to follow that point threw, I have been a believer for a short time, myself so my "pointing" is also new.
You're a member of those people whom anti-theists like myself are desperatley trying to enlighten. LOL A member? What is this, a club? JK
Why would you want to "enlighten" me? What is your motive?
And stop them from assailing their innocent minds from the sick concept of hell. My mind? Or my children's?
Once again, I find that unbelievers teach of hell far more than any believer.
~I have not spoke of such place, neither here on this thread nor to my children.
For thats what he savedsaves us from no?
That is truth, yes, but thats not what I meant and that is not something that I teach, to my kids nor to others. (Fear is not of God, for perfect love cast out all fear)
Ahh..so youre censoring them from a large part of god's creation. No, those violent, horrific, pagan beliefs are not of His "creation" So, no, that is not the case.
But then if it was all-knowing and all loving why would you have to?
God is all-knowing and all loving. Because evil exist does not prove God knows not of it nor that He isnt loving. | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 7:21:16 PM |
When a child is born into a household it is immediately indoctrinated
with the religion of the parents almost from day one. Not mine :)
I am spiritual, not religious.... I teach my kids what I believe, but also to question, even ME because I want them to find their own way, to think for themselves and to develop their own unique relationship with God.
Just the other day my youngest daughter was playing with the neighbor kids... one of them asked if she was a christian, she said no. He told her that she was clearly Satan then. She patiently explained that she is spiritual not religious, whereupon he told her that she would NOT be going to heaven...
My daughter is 8 and she didn't take offence, I was impressed. She knew it wasn't right for him to say that (and he did get in trouble from his mom), but because of the talks we have had, she knows that just because some little boy says that she won't go to heaven if she isn't christian, that doesn't make it true....
I have exposed my children to many belief systems and do not need them to believe as I do. One of my daughters considers herself atheist, another agnostic and I am completely fine with that...
I think that kids honestly know more about the purity of spirit than we as adults do.... and if looked at that way, they can teach US a thing or two... I know mine have :) | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 7:25:00 PM | ~I have not spoke of such place, neither here on this thread nor to my children.
By pointing them to a savior your implying that they need to be saved...and they percieve this so even though you don't say hell, The idea of a looming doom has been forced on them. When in fact no such doom exists. Which if why calling jesus a savior is not only wrong but illogical.
Why would you want to "enlighten" me? What is your motive?
It's to bad it's not clear as day to you. Why to save your children from the rubbish you tell them and the illogical concepts that pollute their minds.
If jesus died to save us then why would we have to act any particular way. We can just act normally how we were intended to act. he already saved us right? or did jesus not save us? take a stance and choose one or the other. | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 7:32:37 PM |
By pointing them to a savior your emplying that they need to be saved... When your child/future child comes to you with pleas of help in many aspects of life that are out of your control, where do you send them?
Again, hell is not a concept that I teach.
Why to save your children from the rubbish you tell them If that is true and that is your motive than I kindly thank you but decline the "enlightenment"
If jesus died to save us then why would we have to act any particular way. Act in a particular way for what? To achieve what? Salvation? We dont.
We can just act normally how we were intended to act. I wish.
he already saved us right? Right.
take a stance and choose I have. Have you? | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 7:34:04 PM | | Damn, you are one enlightened parent, Sassy. I wish my folks had a fraction of that understanding rather than force their religion down my throat -- which I am still mildly traumatized by and working out decades later. | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 7:49:59 PM | ^^ That is sad, I have heard a lot of people say that they have had troubles in life due to their parents shoving their views down their throat... and some of them never get out.. at least you have :)
I was on my own at 14 and my mom didn't care about spirituality, so I came to my own conclusions regarding that aspect of life... it has been quite a journey, not one I can give to them, nor would I want to even if I could... I believe that they need to discover it for themselves, but I am still always there to guide them if they need it... Thanks RandomEntry | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 9:00:44 PM | I've seen this same topic on other forums. I am always happy to see how many consider themselves spiritual, and are open to allowing and helping their children develop their own form of belief. I think that's a good sign, and I find much more tolerance from these people and their kids than I do from those who follow a religious order.
I love my story of my son's first religions exploration. At the age of 5 we moved. Our neighbors, wonderful people, had a son the same age. They became inseparable. One day, the woman was asking questions about what they do on Sunday and all the stuff they do with their church. Very kindly she asked if it would offend me for them to take him to church and Sunday School. I explained my belief and that I would be happy for my son to have such an experience, as he had never been exposed to a God concept before.
My son came home telling me, with wide eyes, all the stories and showed me his pictures and works of art and talked about the singing. About the time my son was 7, and reading a bit, he came home one day from Sunday school, all excited. He ran up to me and practically srecamed "Mom, did you know that God is a being?" What does one say? I asked him to repeat, as I didn't understand. "God, he's a being!" I thought for a second and said "yes I know". He insisted I didn't understand. "No Mom, a being, you know" and he proceeded to spell B E I N G. I was trying not to laugh because his excitement was so amusing me.
"yes, I know" I assured him. Suddenly the light ran out of his face and he looked confused. I asked him "what did you think God was"
READY FOR THIS! "I always thought they were saying he was a bean, you know B E A N" I couldn't contain myself, I had to laugh. Then he began to laugh. And as he laughed he said, "yea, I always had this vision of God as a Giant Lima Bean".
That was the end of our conversation, and he lost interest in continuing to go to Sunday School. By the age of nine he began asking me questions, and off to the library we went.
By the age of 13, he had researched more religions and belief systems than I had in 20 years. Today, at best, he is agnostic. He has a great capacity to be open minded about peoples spiritual and religious views, and shows much interest in their conversations about such things. Like me, it's not that he's searching, it's more that he's trying to understand.
Kids, will do what's right for them, if provided the opportunities and the freedom to seek their own path. It is the closed door, that stops the mind from growing and attaining, and questioning. | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 9:49:38 PM | emotionalheat: I love it! Kids are the best. I have to concur with most of those who have posted. I raised my son to think for himself without interferance from me.
We did not go to church reguarly (hardly at all). His parents came from different religious backgrounds and each of their parents too... so he basically got what I got... an open door policy.
He began going to church on his own as a teenager (with friends), on a more regular basis and then "changed" his religious preference as an adult. He actually called me to see what I thought of that; would I be angry.... I told him my respectful answer:
There are many roads to Heaven. You take the high road, I'll take the low road and we'll meet upstairs. Not only are there many roads; there are many vehicles. Lots of choices on the ascent.
And God seems to have an open door policy, so why should I be any different? | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 8/15/2007 10:05:53 PM | kids have a choice if their parents give them one.
Those kids who have parents that teach them about the various religions in an unbiased manner and provide their kids with the tools to learn on their own what religion (or none) best suits them are very fortunate kids indeed.
*tips hat to the parents in the world who provide their kids with the tools to make their own decisions*
The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.
~Friedrich Nietzsche | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 11/11/2008 11:06:33 PM | Of course they do. And sometimes, the parents insisting on a particular religion and all it's idiotic rules is the very reason why kids CHOOSE an alternative, be it a different religion or none at all.
I for one think organized religion is a joke. | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 11/12/2008 5:12:17 PM | I remember as a child sitting in church thinking something was REALLY wrong, just couldn't articulate what at the tender age of 7.. but that stuck with me..
In that sense, within my own mind I had a choice... I trusted my inner voice that was telling me that this was not for me, and I haven't stopped since. I wonder.. does it depend on the person? The severity of the control/fear tactics used? It's a fine line between teaching and indoctrination..
sassyaquarius:
I am spiritual, not religious.... I teach my kids what I believe, but also to question, even ME because I want them to find their own way, to think for themselves and to develop their own unique relationship with God.
I have exposed my children to many belief systems and do not need them to believe as I do. One of my daughters considers herself atheist, another agnostic and I am completely fine with that...
I think that kids honestly know more about the purity of spirit than we as adults do.... and if looked at that way, they can teach US a thing or two... I know mine have :) Same here, well said :) | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 11/21/2008 11:14:33 AM | This is how I see it:
When a child is born into a household it is immediately indoctrinated with the beliefs of the parents almost from day one. They are kept away from theives, or homeless people, or people in poor neighbourhoods and are not allowed to play with them, or drink the drinks they drink.
Tolerance, respect, trust, being open minded, are important ideals at a young age.
Understanding that it's not wrong or evil or a sin to do something differently,
it is what it is, "different", that's all. End. Period. Being different does equal bad.
Parents cause more harm than good by driving a wedge between us on planet earth. I grew up being exposed to all those people, and I turned out to respect everyone. Other people weren't, and they didn't.
Moreover, there are plenty of religious parents who don't keep their kids away from other kids, and I went to school with many, and was befriended by many kids, who weren't from my background, and weren't told to keep away from me, even though they belonged to an entirely different group than me.
Moreover, did your parents allow you to play with the child of a junkie or a tramp who belonged to the same denomination as them? No?
It therefore occurs to me that what you are really talking about has nothing to do with religion at all. It simply has to do with the fact that SOME parents try to keep their kids away from anyone not like them, and your parents simply thought they could blame it on religion, to avoid admitting that they were being insular out of fear.
People will find any excuse to blame something else for their own choices. Please don't follow your parent's example. Put credit where it is due. | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 11/22/2008 7:41:12 PM | | A child is born with genetic memory Asia Africa Europe and the Americas all have the same basics. There is one God who created everything and I think that the better a person knows about that one God the better the world will be. If you do not agree that is the wonder of that God he let's us believe or not and will look us all in the eye as we come back to him. How would any one be able to hide who they are? I can't hide my love of God from people who see me over an hour how could I hide it from a child that I'd see hours on end. It is in what I sing how I move it is like saying could you not speak english to your child just make basic sound and let it pick up what it wants from the nieghbors. | |
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| Do kids have a choice of religion ?
Posted: 10/10/2009 7:47:49 PM | I find this interesting.... I'm an Agnostic. I was raised by Atheist/Pagan beliefs. No bibles, church or religion. However, my mom was ok with me going to church with friends as long as i did not bring it home (bible,praying etc).. My mom explained to me the reasons for her beliefs! So here i am a mother of a wonderful 13 yr old boy who has been raised by Agnostic/Atheist parents & grandparents we do not go around talking about religion or god.. so at the age of 10 my son comes to me and says " mom do you or dad believe in god?" I was very honest and said No i don't.. I saw he had a reason for asking this ... so i asked him do you believe in god? He says ,Yes i do . I asked him if some of his friends were talking about religion or going to church? he said no but he knows some of them do... Moral of the story i talked to his father and we both decided he had the right to make that choice on his own and we would support any decision he made as long as he knew and understood what it meant.. i contacted a friend of mine who's family is very church oreinted they come out weekly to teach him about the bible and the beliefs behind God! they come to my home, we have went to church in support of our son to get him started now he goes with friends... when they came into my home i was very upfront with them that this was for him only and no one else in the house hold... they were very helpful and respectful of our wishes and even thanked us for being so open minded! I strongly believe that if your kid is raised in a certain enviroment most of his life and he questions it and wants to see what believing the other way means .. you should let them, support them, guide them and let them be what they are going to be... I mean really there are worse things my son could want to do or believe in... although i total disagree with any religion believing in god or jesus christ etc... the morals behind religion is something we do or should all want for our children to become honest,respectful and descent adults who make positive choices...
do not lie, steal, cheat or harm others..right? this is what church teaches the youth... so the morals taught at churches i do agree with... and i am glad my son thinks he might want to be part of something like that.. instead of a gang, druggies or kids out breaking the law! I do wonder and have noticed in my own personal experience it seems that non religious people may be a little more open to letting their kids experience religion.. than religious households..meaning i wonder how many religious households that have raised their kids from birth on their religion would be as excepting of their kid saying ..i wonder if this religion is for me or i am not sure i believe in god? | |
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