Imposing Beliefs on Children

[Serious Jones]

My brother and his wife, both very God-fearing, conservative people, just became the father and mother to a baby girl. In this day and age, when both parents think strongly a certain way, it's almost a sure thing that those beliefs will be passed down the to the child, and I'm not sure if that's right.

For example, they will most likely start taking the baby to church not long after she can walk. There's no doubt that until she's on her own, their child will be going to church on a regular basis. I'm not sure whether it's right for God-fearing parents to introduce their children to something so life-altering, even if they believe it is the most important thing in life to learn.

This is also a common phenomenon with political beliefs. I remember when I was a toddler, my conservative mother used to take me out alongside busy roads and picket with pro-life signs with other pro-life advocates. Naturally, I had no idea what I was doing. I just went along with it because my mom usually promised me ice cream or some kind of treat if I went with her. Now that I'm older, it's become obvious that I was being used as tow-headed anti-abortion propaganda. This kind of behavior led to me to instinctively identify as a conservative when I became more aware of politics. Though my ideologies have changed since then, there's no doubt that my parents had a great influence over my early political beliefs.

Whether by taking children to religious services before they make the conscious decision to follow the religion, or by instilling political philosophies into children at a young, impressionable age, is it right for parents to impose beliefs onto children?

What is the correct way to introduce children to things like religion or politics?

 

[#hamler]

Whether by taking children to religious services before they make the conscious decision to follow the religion, or by instilling political philosophies into children at a young, impressionable age, is it right for parents to impose beliefs onto children?

Actually, even though I'm an athiest, I would actually agree with those parents who impse their beliefs on their children. Religion teaches morals and the difference between right and wrong. Basic beliefs. Religion would actually help the parent in raising their children. That being said, parents have no right to frown up on their child believing in something different. I believe the age is around 14, when children start to rebel and non-conform to their parents choosings. This is around the time when kids starts to form their own opinions on such things as politics and religion. Whatever they choose, a parent should support them. Whether its being a homosexual or being athiest, parents should always support their children.

A good example of this-- as many of you may know, I'm an athiest. Have been for quite sometime. Guess what my dad does? He's a preacher. And my Mom is religious as well. My parents accept my beliefs no matter how different they are. It makes for some fun but awkard dinner conversations. But they've never shunned my beliefs no matter how lutercriss they are to them.

What is the correct way to introduce children to things like religion or politics?

I say introduce it normally. Let them grow up with it. Pretty soon they will start forming their own beliefs like I did. There's really no problem with showing children wht to believe in. However, when religion or politics are forced, its bullshit.

 

[Loveless]

Whether by taking children to religious services before they make the conscious decision to follow the religion, or by instilling political philosophies into children at a young, impressionable age, is it right for parents to impose beliefs onto children?

Impose, absolutely not. That leaves no room for free will and is tantamount to a form of brainwashing in my view.
Personally I've always felt that you should only try and talk to children about things they're capable of understanding and making their own views on. I want my kids to be able to think for themselves as it's maybe the 1 characteristic that I think is most valuable in a person. Someone without autonomy is nothing more than a sheep being martyred to someone else's desires.


What is the correct way to introduce children to things like religion or politics?[/QUOTE]

I think things like politics are religion are an advanced topic and once my kids were old enough to understand them, I wouldn't need to introduce them to it.
The foundation of anything like that is an interest in the world so you have to encourage children at a base level, to see how things link together and why people behave as they do and then let them go on from there.

 

[Lee]

Having been a Christian for coming up to ten years now, I couldn't think you're more than far from the point.

As Hamburgler pointed out, from my experience in that time the 16-20 age bracket in churches is very rarely as a result of people being brought up in Christian homes. Heck the vast majority of Christian parents I know brought up their kids to go to church until they started secondary school by which most stopped going within a year or two as they made their own call. It's not being forced into a belief and from experience it rarely happens.

But hey you could always force them to become Athiests...am I right?

 

[HBK-aholic]

There's a difference between imposing beliefs on a child and taking them to Church, or another religious place. I don't see a problem with parents taking their children to Church with them, as long as that parent isn't also attempting to tell them they HAVE to be a Christian or they'll go to hell/you'll disown them, or anything similar. There's a lot of problems within organised religion, however, the basis for religions are mostly the same, and mostly good - look after yourself, your family, your friends, don't kill or hurt anyone, treat people how you want to be treated. I'd love for my children to know and follow those, whether from religion or family.

Politically, I think it's wrong. I'd certainly never take my child on marches to protest a certain thing or to be used as propaganda, as the thread starter no doubt was. Politics don't affect your life as a child in the same way religion can, and therefore you shouldn't be taught one specific way. Politics is a very complex thing and not something your average child understands - not even all adults do. Your child is likely to know your political party, if you have one, but that's really all it should stay at. They should be left to make their own choices in this.

 

[Loveless]

There's a difference between imposing beliefs on a child and taking them to Church

There's little difference unless it's the childs choice to go. Otherwise it's the parent imposing their will upon the child. Then the priest/reverend/vicar doing the same.

im·po·si·tion
–noun
3.
the act of imposing by or as if by authority.

 

[HBK-aholic]

There's little difference unless it's the childs choice to go. Otherwise it's the parent imposing their will upon the child. Then the priest/reverend/vicar doing the same.

im·po·si·tion
–noun
3.
the act of imposing by or as if by authority.

If this is the case, how you seriously see things - what ISN'T being 'imposed' on children? Your taste in music, if they listen to it with you? Your favourite stories, that you read to them before bed? Should we stop sharing those things, for fear our children's thoughts are being imposed upon? What's the difference between someone listening to THEIR favourite music with their child, and taking the child to their place of worship? Both of those things spread a message, and both have bad aspects to them.

If a child doesn't WANT to go to Church, and you still make them, that's imposition. If you take your child along with you and allow them to see what's going, there's no imposition. When they're older, and can make their decisions, they know more accurately whether the Church is something they want to get involved in or not. The problem only comes when a parent forces their views upon children ignoring a child making the decision to not go.

 

[Loveless]

There's a fundamental difference between music/stories that children can understand, ignore or walk away from and imposing an unquestionable philosophy on them that they're not capable of fully understanding at a young age.
Any parent taking their child to church should question why they're doing it. If the answer isn't "Because I couldn't get a babysitter" then it'll almost certainly be "Because I want them to believe the same thing as me" and that is an imposition.

 

[HBK-aholic]

There's a fundamental difference between music/stories that children can understand, ignore or walk away from and imposing an unquestionable philosophy on them that they're not capable of fully understanding at a young age.
Any parent taking their child to church should question why they're doing it. If the answer isn't "Because I couldn't get a babysitter" then it'll almost certainly be "Because I want them to believe the same thing as me" and that is an imposition.

I wouldn't be so sure children can understand music anymoreso than they can understand 'thou shall not kill' - but that's not the point. I have weak 'religious' views, usually bordering between agnostic and atheist. And yet, I'd consider taking my children to Church. Often religious groups are a community sadly missing from most cities now. Religions usually teach exactly the same things I want my children to know - that any child should know. Those being the principles I outlined in my opening post. Be nice, respect your parents, love your friends and family, don't break the law, don't cheat on your partners. What's the difference in me teaching my child that, and them learning it with me, and others, in a Church? If I teach them those morals in my own home, am I being imposing? Or is it only imposing if it's done so outside the home?

 

[Loveless]

I have weak 'religious' views, usually bordering between agnostic and atheist. And yet, I'd consider taking my children to Church. Often religious groups are a community sadly missing from most cities now. Religions usually teach exactly the same things I want my children to know - that any child should know. Those being the principles I outlined in my opening post. Be nice, respect your parents, love your friends and family, don't break the law, don't cheat on your partners. What's the difference in me teaching my child that, and them learning it with me, and others, in a Church?
If I teach them those morals in my own home, am I being imposing? Or is it only imposing if it's done so outside the home?

I'll have to answer this awkwardly in bold because you've kind of forced me to answer out of order because I don't want to break up your quote.

Yes religion does teach those things but does it teach you to question them? Also, I'm quite sure that you're intelligent enough to teach your children those things without the churchs assistance. Ironically given the subject, I'd suggest you need a little more faith in yourself

Every parent to some extent has to impose themselves on their child. You can teach your kids to read, you can instill in them a love of music, stories and so many other things, you can even install a basic level of morality but you've got to leave moral issues open so they can actually grow as a person and develop their own views, and the church does not do that.
I mean you're a parent, do you think "Because I/God say so" is ever an educational, beneficial or fair thing to say to a child? What kind of argument is that? Instead of saying make your case, letting them talk and think, you're saying "Don't argue with me, just do it". I don't ever want to be that kind of parent and as a result, my kids will probably grow up to be dirty hippies but as least it will be their own choice.

The major issue is imposing beliefs as facts. That's the difference between the imposition of a good parent and the imposition of a church.

 

[SalvIsWin]

But hey you could always force them to become Athiests...am I right?

I'm curious if you could elaborate on this. How would you force a child to be an atheist?

In regards to every thing else, no, you shouldn't impose your religious beliefs on children. Children cannot comprehend what you're even going to be teaching them, they're just going to take your word for it; it's not like they're going to question it or be skeptical, or ask to hear the other side of the argument - they'll simply take it all in and be affected by it.

I think the proper way to introduce your children to religion is let them do what they want. You can explain what church is, and then if they want to go with you, let them go. When they don't want to go anymore, they shouldn't have to go. Personally, I would be indifferent if my children wanted to attend religious services, when they're at the age that they can understand the argument, then I'll let them decide.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

To some degree, I don't see how a parent can avoid imposing some of their beliefs onto a child. Everyone hopes that their child is going to be a good person and to try and instill into them a sense of right and wrong. In many cases, there's simply no way to do that without taking some of what you personally believe, something that maybe you were taught yourself as a kid and came to see that you still believed was tright as you got older, and instill that belief in your child.

To tell your child that Jesus Christ is the son of God and that he allowed himself to be put to death as penance for the sins of all mankind doesn't constitute brainwashing to me. Telling your child that there isn't such a thing as God or an afterlife doesn't strike me as brainwashing either. They strike me as beliefs that some parents feel is right and is something that they'd want their children to believe as well. For instance, what Christian mother and father wouldn't want to be reunited with their children someday in a glorious paradise after they've passed on? They hope their children develop similar beliefs so that such a thing can happen. It's called parenting, something that's quickly dying out everywhere you look and I believe a chief cause is our society's almost fanatical devotion to political correctness.

These days if you spank a child, then some look at you as an abuser. If you ground a child and tell them that they can't watch television or go on the net, some look at you as some ogre depriving a child. If you sit down and have a beer in front of your 3 year old, some look at you as setting a horrible influence on that child. If you tell your child there's no such thing as God, some look at you as an unfit parent. Hell, if your child bows his/her head and says a brief prayer for themselves, their teachers and their classmates you'll have some schoolboard member or some other parent calling the school to bitch and moan about it even though no harm has been done.

Quite frankly, people just need to get a fucking life and stop worrying about so much. Teaching a child certain beliefs that you'd like them to have is part of being a good parent. Whether or not they retain those beliefs as they get older and are more able to think for themselves and establish their own viewpoints on the world is up to them.

 

[Xemmy]

Whether by taking children to religious services before they make the conscious decision to follow the religion, or by instilling political philosophies into children at a young, impressionable age, is it right for parents to impose beliefs onto children?

I'm wishy washy about this. I don't like children going to church because it melds fiction into fact. It's a little brainwashing to tell a child that if they don't play by these paticular rules and love Jesus, that they're going to roast in hell for all of eternity. It bothers me that alot of children are being brought up told to ignore evidence, and believe the Earth is 6000 years old. That's wrong, and not something that's good for society.

On the other hand, Freedom is Freedom- Parents should be able to raise their children how they wish provided that it's law abiding.


What is the correct way to introduce children to things like religion or politics?
Simple. Teach them to question everything. Skepticism is always the best policy.

 

[UltimateHitman]

I can't help but comment on this. Taking a child to church isn't imposing, just as making them go to school to learn things they don't find as fun as running around on the playground isn't imposing.

The whole "whatever" approach is very disconcerting because it shows indifference. Do you just sit back and do nothing as a parent? The logic I've been hearing is that people who have grown up to have opinions and viewpoints are required to simply throw them out the window and not attempt to teach (not impose) those views that they are proud of. That means everybody who enjoys what a church has to offer in either a family friendly environment or positive, healthy relationships should just immediately stop going because they have kids so they don't "impose". Please. I have a strange feeling most of the people that use the word "imposing" are more of the children that have a chip on their shoulder than actual adults or parents of children.

Whatever you do in a parenting situation can be seen as "imposing". Do you encourage your child to learn and do good in school, or do you just say "fuck it, it's your choice to be a dumbass" if they say they don't like 1st grade math? I mean, let's get real here. You can't say one thing is "imposing" if a child is learning about it. That would make any kind of learning process "imposing". Don't impose that American history on me, I say. I'll be damned if I let you "impose" that "English language" you speak of on me, buddy.

And what about the 2nd and 3rd generation superstars? Were their careers "imposed" on them simply because that's what they were raised around? Quit wrestling because you have kids so you don't impose the business on them? Impose aspirations of local check-out clerk instead? Car salesman? Where does it end?

Now if you're one of those parents like Kane had in his movie "See No Evil" where you beat your child, lock him or her in the house, tell them that they're "dirty" and that all women are "dirty ****es" and they shouldn't think bad thoughts, then yeah, that's imposing. If you take your child to church so they can learn about the tradition and lifestyle that you grew up in and that led to you being a decent, loving parent and citizen of the community then you are just teaching positive behaviors.

What about me? I grew up going to a Baptist Christian School and going to church until 8th grade. I am still thankful for that, because when I switched to the public school system it amazed me how many people couldn't talk, spell, or read. I appreciate vocabulary. Oh, shit. I was brainwashed.

As I got older, I kept my spirituality but found denominations to be counter-productive. So I am non-denominational now and think that petty in-fighting is pointless. Am I a "brainwashed Baptist"? Of course not. I'm non-denominational. And if you think I'm religious just because I was raised that way, think again. I questioned my religion. There was a time I was questioning it very in-depth. But just because I chose to stick with it doesn't mean I was brainwashed. (Besides, look at it this way. If atheists are right, what do I have to lose besides being a nicer, more positive, brighter person? When I die, no harm done being religious. But, for the sake of argument, what if YOU'RE wrong? You've got a hell of a lot more to lose by your choice, not mine. Just had to throw that out there...)

And to think that all religion are about "not questioning anything" is just absurd. It's been pointed out that Christians were expected to question their faith. If it was strong enough to withstand those questions, then your faith was sound. It never said not to question your faith, it just said that the hope was it would weather the lows and remain intact. HOPE it weathered, not "damn well better weather, or else..."

Another thing I don't get is how on one hand people say it's bad because a "child doesn't know what's going on yet" and then say they are getting brainwashed like all of a sudden they know what's going on and is being forced against their will to change their minds or do something they don't want to do. It's one way or the other. Either the kids don't know and therefore there's no harm in showing them so they learn about it or get familiar with it, or they do know and they're being forced to think something against their "free will". Do you take stock in a 6 yr. old that says they hate school simply because they'd rather goof off and watch cartoons or play with toys? Do you sit back and say "ok, I'm not going to impose learning on you, you'll learn when you want to"? Of course not, that's ridiculous.

And just a scientific tidbit, it's been argued that adolescent brains aren't fully developed until around the early 20's, so would it be considered brainwashing if they are held responsible for their actions and told committing crimes was wrong because the brain may not be fully developed yet? Exactly. It sounds crazy.

Even on the political side, specifically the situation the OP presented, I don't think it was "using him as propaganda". That's a little extreme. Maybe his mother was just proud of her views and wanted her child to be proud of those views too. Maybe she had to take the child with because there was nobody to watch the child. Do you honestly think that your mother was some kind of evil antagonist that thought in her head "yeah, this'll really pound the message home. I'll take my kid and use him to force my political views". Maybe, if she took you there, it could have been because she was proud of her child and wanted people to see the pride and love that a child brings to a person and didn't want somebody to miss out on what she felt. That's not underhanded and manipulative, that's admirable.

What really gets me, though, is that a lot of the so-called "open minded" people are so quick to look at such a restricted, shallow minded side of things. Oh, it's religious. It's immediately close minded and Bible thumping and full of brainwashing and hate. Oh, it's political, it has to do with some kind of underhanded conservative/liberal ulterior motive. That way of thinking is just as bad as what you so quickly condemn. I hear atheists who yell and scream and call Christians every name in the book when they simply state that they don't believe what the atheist is saying. The Christian does not have to be confrontational or argumentative, but the atheist sure is. Does that mean the Christian is now being brainwashed? They are old enough to think for themselves, but it's apparently wrong for them to have their viewpoint because it doesn't "make sense" in the views of the atheist.

I'm sorry, but there's plenty of imposing from everybody regardless of what the subject is and regardless of whether you think you impose or not. And personally, I'd rather people "imposed" good, positive, respectful morals on somebody than impose a "I don't give a shit, do whatever you want" attitude.

I've been writing for a while, but just want to give a shout out to HBK-aholic and Jack Hammer. Both very good posts. And with that I will close this out. Sorry it was kind of long.

 

[ABMorales787]

Well, here's a thought. A parent HAS to impose his/her beliefs on their children. Just how the hell could you raise the kid otherwise? Are you gonna ask him if he'd rather go to a public school instead of the cushy private one you pay for him? Are you gonna let a 5 year old choose what he want's to eat? Do you have enough money to take him to McDonalds or Burger King daily, because you bet your ass that will be his answer 75% of the time. With 23% being Chuck E. Cheese. Are you gonna let him watch "A 1000 Ways TO Die" because you don't want to force him to watch the Teletubbies?

Kids can't make decisions. Because they don't know any better. That's why YOU are the parent. To tell him. "I live my life this way. It's proven to be a success for me and I want you to live it that way too". Unless you plan to get emancipated at the age of 8, I hardly see any other way to go with it. '

I'd rather have belief's imposed on me than ignorant parenting or plain ol' irresponsibility. At the least, it's a sign that they care and want you to become something.

Of course, you can't exactly have mom telling you stuff when you move out of the house. But at that point, it's just exaggerated.

 

[Lee]

I'm curious if you could elaborate on this. How would you force a child to be an atheist?

How do you make a child be a Christian?

From experience an athiest is more likely to stop their children going to church than a Christian making their children going to church. But hey when a Christian does it it's brainwashing, when an athiest doesn't it's for their own good.

The statement was thrown out there to show that you can't force a child to believe in God just as much as you can't force a child to be Athiest.





And anyways the reason Christian parents take their young children to church on a Sunday is simple: Do you realise how fucking hard it is to get a babysitter at 9am on a Sunday morning? It's a practicality thing as well you know.

 

[lenguy]

If Religion has been in your family for generations and generations then I don't see the harm in introducing your children to your religion if its an important part of your family heritage. However I think its wrong to force it onto them if its something that they don't see themselves getting involved in. I see this far to often, the parents will introduce something to their children whether its a belief or something else and if the child refuses to accept or even acknowledge their belief the parent often sees no other choice but to somehow force their belief on the child in order to protect them from being an "outcast" of some sorts

Most of my extended family are devout Christians and have been trying to not some much as convert my family just try and get them into Christianity in order to save us from damnation. I think its a bit extreme to go that far if this is something that really just isn't for us. I actually don't believe in god, so why should I be part of a faith that worships him? I would just be contradicting my own beliefs. Children are born free..well in most countries anyway. The ones that are, they are free to choice on their own and free to discover what religion..if any is suited for there own moral and spiritual desires. If they find religion is not for them then who are we to go against their choice in life?

Bottom line is we are all free to decide. Nobody should force their own beliefs on their children.

 

[Ultra Awesome]

KillJoy brings up a good point here. A child’s mind is like a sponge. Everyday, they are faced with new knowledge that they are able to adapt to and thus make a living out of. However, the average child does not know right from wrong; nor many other aspects of life other than having fun. Therefore, based on this, it’s only logical that it is the parents' role to impose these beliefs or ideals on the child. The parent's role is to nurture the child so that they can be ready for when they face the real world on their own. And along the way, it's only natural that the parent will want to make the child think a certain way about certain things.

As far as imposing religion on a child goes, I'd be okay with it so long as it's done to an extent. There is nothing wrong with telling your kid about God, Jesus Christ, the Bible (etc) – just as there is nothing wrong with taking your child to church. All you're merely doing is showing your child your version of what you think is the truth and what should be done. Religion teaches one right from wrong. Sure, there may be a few silly things in-between but learning about morals is the bottom line. So, really, what’s wrong with showing a child that? I’ll tell you…nothing.

However, if the time ever comes that the child starts to form his own ideals and his own beliefs, I think he should be left to think as he pleases. If he does not find comfort in religion, then let him become an atheist. If the child wishes to continue in his parents' beliefs, then so be it. Eventually, as all pre-pubescent teens do, they start to from their own thoughts on life and start to think differently than how they did when they were a child. Keeping that in mind, the decision of what the child wishes to believe in should be left up to him.

In closing, a parent's job is to show their kids the rope, so it's only logical that they would nurture their child a certain way. But once this child is old enough as to the point where he wants to decide what to believe in and what not to believe in, I think he should be allowed to, and not forced against his beliefs.

 

[TheOneBigWill]

Whether by taking children to religious services before they make the conscious decision to follow the religion, or by instilling political philosophies into children at a young, impressionable age, is it right for parents to impose beliefs onto children?

What would you rather I did? Sit my children in front of a television, allowing others to preach their random thoughts, and theories of life to them?

Perhaps teach them to read then shove them in a Library and have them pick out numerous books on different subjects, only to tell them "figure it out yourself?"

Should I put a loaded weapon on one side of the floor, and a badge on the other - and which ever the child grabs first, I should just accept that's the path they've chosen for themselves in life?

What is the correct way to introduce children to things like religion or politics?

Parents have no other alternative but to raise their children the way they believe. If they're Christian, or any other specific religion. If they're okay or against Same-sex relationships, or racist toward specific races.. whether you see it as right, or wrong, it isn't your child to mold and teach.

I have a girl and a boy. Maybe people won't agree with what I teach them along the way, and perhaps once they get older and begin to learn things on their own, they won't agree with my belief or way of seeing things. Until that point, when they can learn for themselves, understand for themselves, and accept world related issues for themselves - I'm their teacher, and no one else. My children, my way. Plain and simple, no alternative around that.

 

[LSN80]

Whether by taking children to religious services before they make the conscious decision to follow the religion, or by instilling political philosophies into children at a young, impressionable age, is it right for parents to impose beliefs onto children?

It's one thing to teach your children about all the dominant religions and even agnosticism/atheism, it's another to impose one religion on them and expect them to be faithful in that religion. Personally, i think that if parents feel that religion is important, that they should teach their children about religions outside of their own, without imposing their own on their children. They should allow the child to make their own choice and force should NEVER be apart of the equation. Also, I do NOT buy into the idea that religion is something you are born into, rather, a choice you make. A choice of religion is the same as a choice of a favourite sports team or a political stance. You are not born a Red Sox fan or a Leftist baby, no more than you are born a Christian or Muslim. For those who want, watch this clip by Doug Stanhope to help me make my point.

Spoiler

[YOUTUBE]ExAw4hIhRIU[/YOUTUBE]

Im a 28 year old Christian who was raised in the church myself, but I came to my beliefs on my own. I wasn't thinking about what I had learned in Sunday School when I was drinking 5 nights a week and taking home a different woman every night when in graduate school. It wasn't until I made a conscious decision that I didnt want to be that kind of person that I turned to the church, faith, and christianity.

What is the correct way to introduce children to things like religion or politics?

There is no one right path when introducing children to religion or politics. It needs to be done at a pace that is right for both parent and child. This may seem like a cop-out, but it's not. Each child is different, and develop a variety of interests at an early age. If religion is an important facet of your life, then you likely want to share it with your children. However, one needs to be very careful when introducing children to religion because I feel that children should embrace i of their own volition, not because the church or one's parent's tell them to.

To me, the best way to introduce a child to beliefs and political stances in simply through talking to them. I believe a parent should simplify it to the child's terms, and explain about the deity in which they believe. They may use resources such as a Bible. If the child looks up to a different family member or friend of the same religion, then the parents may enlist their help if they think the child would look more fondly upon it with their interaction. Above all, the parent needs to set an example through their actions and words of what they believe. All the church services in the world can't overcome a parent who says one thing, and does another.

 

[Calderownz]

Whether by taking children to religious services before they make the conscious decision to follow the religion, or by instilling political philosophies into children at a young, impressionable age, is it right for parents to impose beliefs onto children?

What is the correct way to introduce children to things like religion or politics?

No, it is not. To me, it's a form of child abuse to label a child something when he hasn't had the chance to make his or her own decisions. Certain things need to be assessed. Don't steal. Don't touch the fire. So on and so forth. If you left a child to learn some of these things for themselves, they'd die.

However, ideologies involving lives and such, you have to let them understand things before you make up their minds.

Give the child all the information that you have on anything. Let them learn about everything, including religion. However, let them decide in due time.

 

[Shocky]

For fucks sake, what the hell is wrong with people. Clearly most of the responses are by people that don't have any children.

The child comes into the world, it is the property of the parent. The parent has a right to mold the child and teach the child in whatever way they seem fit, as long as it follows the letter of the law.

Do people not realize that everything that you are exposed to in life has some sort of an agenda to it. If you keep a child out of church because the child can't form a proper opinion, then might as well keep that child out of schools until they can form an opinion. If you think that schools and teachers don't push agendas, you live with a light shade over your head.

It is a parents responsibility to raise a child, and they have the right to raise that child however they see fit.

 

[SalvIsWin]

For fucks sake, what the hell is wrong with people. Clearly most of the responses are by people that don't have any children.

The child comes into the world, it is the property of the parent. The parent has a right to mold the child and teach the child in whatever way they seem fit, as long as it follows the letter of the law.

Do people not realize that everything that you are exposed to in life has some sort of an agenda to it. If you keep a child out of church because the child can't form a proper opinion, then might as well keep that child out of schools until they can form an opinion. If you think that schools and teachers don't push agendas, you live with a light shade over your head.

It is a parents responsibility to raise a child, and they have the right to raise that child however they see fit.

No one is debating whether a parent can or cannot raise their child to believe in God, or be a conservative, or a liberal, or a holocaust-denier - you can do whatever you want in that regard. People are questioning whether it's right to expose a child, who cannot critically think about or question ideas, to religion or politics.

We do send our children to schools to learn, and they are taught things that have been proven, or facts - IMO there shouldn't be a lot of opinion or agenda pushing when it comes to young children, and it's why schools slowly introduce children into critically examining what they're being told. Until they're capable of that, you shouldn't expose a child to something that needs to be critically examined. Raise your kid however you want, no one is stopping you.

 

[Dagger Dias]

It's NOT right for parents to impost their beliefs on children. My parents successfully made a mindless drone out of my older sister, she is identical to my mother only younger. They failed with me, I have retained my own persona and my own beliefs whether they like it or not. They are so stuck and stubborn. Everything HAS to be done THEIR way or else it's "wrong". They believe that everyone MUST be a Christian of the Lutheran denomination "or else they will end up in hell" and that everyone MUST be a Conservative Republican "or else they are too stupid to function in society". They nearly had a heart attack when I revealed my own beliefs to them.... That I am politically MODERATE and I am still a Christian but NON-DENOMINATIONAL.

It's one thing to try to raise a child in the right direction, but the parents of that child must respect the fact that eventually the child will need to make a decision of their own in terms of what they believe. Sometimes they might agree with their parents, and sometimes they might go in a different direction. People who impose their beliefs are not letting their child be who they are because it stops their growth and development as a human being. That's why you should never impose your beliefs on anyone.

 

[Dark Horse]

Man this is a real touchy subject.

I think first and foremost that people need to stop telling everyone how to raise their kids. As Jack-Hammer mentioned, "It's called parenting, something that's quickly dying out everywhere you look and I believe a chief cause is our society's almost fanatical devotion to political correctness."

Also, aren't you giving CHILDREN mind you, a little bit too much credibility here. You mean to tell me you are supposed to let little kids make all their own choices? If that's what you think let me tell you something my dad once told me.

" You don't have to teach a child to do wrong, they will do that instinctively. You have to teach a child to do right, by teaching them the difference between right and wrong".

A child will touch the hot stove, they will put the butter knife in the light socket, you have to teach them not to. So are parents supposed to just say "Weeeell I don't know, I have to let little Timmy make his own choices. I don't want to impose MY will upon him". Of course not. You tell Timmy "Don't put the knife in the light socket it will electrocute you , don't touch the stove it will burn you, don't run into traffic, cars will kill you." How that doesn't make sense or is somehow wrong is beyond me. It's teaching kids about actions and their consequences. Those things must be taught, how else is a child to know any better? Wouldn't that child be rather lost if their parents just said "I don't want to force anything on you, so you can figure it out for yourself" especially little children. You've gotta be kidding.

As it pertains to religion, if a parent(s) want a child to learn about whatever given religion that is their business. It's not a bad idea considering the basic fundamentals of life it teaches and the character that it grooms in a child. If I had not been taught as a child that lying is wrong, I would likely be a liar. If I was not taught as a child that stealing was wrong, I would likely be a thief. If It was never explained to me that specific behavior was not acceptable, I would have continued that behavior.

What is the correct way to introduce it? Well, my dad started with saying a simple prayer with me as a child: "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take". Eventually as I got older I learned the "Our Father" then eventually I learned "The Serenity Prayer". My mom and dad made it very simple, telling me the stories of The Bible and explaining them for me when I didn't understand something.

Because of the stories I became interested in it on my own and wanted to go to church and learn more about God, I wanted to read The Bible, I was fascinated by all of it and it all seemed very harmless and useful to me, it wasn't forced at all, but it was introduced. And isn't it funny how with just barely being introduced to it, I naturally was drawn to it. The stories were magical and inspiring which plays to the imagination of a child. It's a way to initially draw the child in and teach them very basic lessons without having to go way over their heads with it. When I was taught "this is right and this is wrong" I was also allowed to ask questions about it if I didn't understand already. "

Why is this wrong daddy?" and the answer would swiftly follow in a way I could understand.

"Because son, when you hit people, even if they make you mad, that hurts them. Do like it when you get hurt?"

"No daddy I don't."

"Well, neither does anyone else. So even if someone is really mean to you and makes you mad, don't hit them. Tell the teacher what they did to you and they will take care of it."

If that's wrong I guess my parents really F'd up. I'm glad they did.