Should Children Have The Same Religion As Their Parents?

Answer 1

Should Children Have The Same Religion As Their Parents?

• If you want children to have firm beliefs and allow spirituality into their lives, you have to let them choose. If you don't they wouldn't actually believe in it.

• I think once the children are adults they should be able to make their own choices, but until then it's the parent's choice. I was brought up Protestant and my parents told me that I could choose my own religion once I became an adult. I did try different faiths, but have always stuck to being Protestant. The good news is, children that come from a religious faith seem to have their feet more solidly planted on the ground (rounds out their character.)

• Here's the point of view from a 16 year old. You can't choose a religion for your kid, you can encourage one with them, like my parents, especially my mom, have done with me. You CAN'Tchoose it for them, though I do get the whole you don't want them to burn in hell thing but if you choose for them they won't really believe and it won't help them any. So, encourage but don't make them, chance are if you make them then you'll just make them resent you and the faith. I know that of all the religions I've seen that to me Christianity is the most appealing. Partially because I know that I'M making the choice NOT my parents. Also by encouraging me my mom has shown me the best of Christianity and made it come alive for me. So, let them choose because without REAL belief going to Church and calling yourself a Christian doesn't help. It may in fact do more harm for others than good (seeing a person who claims to be Christian acting like everyone else [its not just about acting nice, you got show Christ's love] is a deterrent to others from joining the faith.)
  
• A parent that loves their child and trusts their religion will want their child to follow that which the parent trusts to be correct. They have every right to teach it, but they also have the responsibility of teaching tolerance and open mindedness. Which if taught correctly will allow the child the freedom and ability to choose their own religion.
• I believe that many religions have a set of moral principals that help someone like a child construct their life. Ex: The Ten Commandments
• As a raised Catholic turned Atheist 14 year old, I think that a parent should inform their children that while the parent believes one thing, that belief is not the only existing belief. They should allow their child to make their own decision, especially after the child has began puberty, signifying a significant mental capacity is forming/formed. In this day and age, with as much internet access as is available, a parent has little control over what information their child takes in. The information and experiences that the child takes in will eventually define and shape their true beliefs.
  

Answer 2

Children should be able to choose there religion when they turn fourteen because that's when they are a teen and the exp they had with god( if your christian) and should choose if they like that religion and change if they want to.

Answer 3

Religion, by definition, is a human set of beliefs, values, and priniciples that attempt to make sense of the Universe and man's place in it. If religion is only man's attempt to describe the world around him, then it is of no value - for it is man-made and prone to error. Value is found only in man's interaction with God Himself.

Each religious system seeks to assert itself as "The Truth" - and this being the case, conflict can arise. The doctrine of Modern Political Correctness would have us settle our objections by allowing us to say "What is true for you, may not be true for me." - in other words, there is no truth but only 'relative truth'. But if such a statement can be made regarding religion, then can it also not be made of any other system on earth? Can I say, "paying taxes might be true for you, but it is not true to me." - and not pay taxes? Can I say "Two plus two might equal four for you, but it equals eleven for me?" Obviously, I cannot. Truth is absolute in all things. If a man believes that when he dies he turns into a goldfish and swims through outerspace, will that make it so? Are we gods, that we can make the universe and ourselves whatever we want it to be?

No. There is a Truth, and it is Absolute, and we can know it:

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." - Job 12:7-10

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard." - Psalm 19:1-3

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.

God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. 'For in Him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are His offspring.' - Acts 17:24-28

Our children, and all children, need to find the Truth in a deeply personal way. You cannot inherit that kind of thing, you need to find it on your own. Do not blindly walk the road your forefathers may have, but seek first the light - and let His Word be the lamp unto your path.

Answer 4

That's a great question, and there are thoughts on both sides. To me, there are a couple of important things involved here. First, age. No matter how mature we feel when we are young, we still have a lot to learn. Another thing is that when we're young we still have to live with our parents. Choosing not to participate in a religion at a young age could just be a parental rebellion thing and have nothing at all to do with God.

I think that kids should be allowed to explore different religions with the support and guidance of their parents. Hopefully their parents will help them learn about the different choices, and how to make good choices about faith and prayer and scripture study and getting to know God. If their parents approve, then they could even decide to join a specific church. Without parental support though, I think that they should wait until they are 18. Not because they shouldn't be free to believe... they still are, without joining something, but out of respect for their parents, and keeping peace with their families as much as they can.

Answer 5

Children have no choice but to follow the same religion of their parents. Because children have no power of discrimination. Just like parents make the children eat what they should eat, they teach them to walk, to talk, parents have to teach their children about God, but should children continue to follow the same religion as their parents? No, children should question their religion, should find out more about God, should love God so much that they must go beyond religion. Therefore, children need not change their religion, but children should not be limited to the kindergarten of religion, they should grow up into the university of spirituality. Children must move beyond the basics that they have been taught, to realize God in the temple of their heart.

Answer 6

I say let the child decide what he or she wants to do ...if any at all