Can anyone justify this?

[Trotsky7]

I'm wondering if any Christian parents can justify forcing religion upon their children. I see it in so many households its unbearable. Children are being tricked by their parents into believing that if they do not believe in God or Jesus they will burn in hell forever. I was also brought up this way but thankfully I was able to break through the brainwashing. As far as I'm concerned it is child abuse to force religious beliefs upon a child from such a young age and limit their thinking drastically.

 

[ChristianT]

I agree. Free thinking, mere presentation of what they believe, and encouragement is what would be best, as rational thinking is preferred over hereditary religion - as they tend not to really care for it.

 

[Mei Senpai]

I do agree, my parents taught me the way and gave me the choice to choose (which I chose to beleive in Jesus), if one of my brothers or sisters did not believe (they all believe with their whole hearts XD) my parents would have been sad and wondering why but they usually say kids below 18+ dont have desicion which my 2 brothers and I (I'm 12) are fine with it because we want to believe in Jesus Christ. My older brother who is 18 now and my older sister who is 20 have decided the same thing, because we got taught early and we have the holyspirit which dwells in us to make good desicions. (I hope I make sense and is in topic sorry if not)

 

[berachah]

I'm wondering if any Christian parents can justify forcing religion upon their children. I see it in so many households its unbearable. Children are being tricked by their parents into believing that if they do not believe in God or Jesus they will burn in hell forever. I was also brought up this way but thankfully I was able to break through the brainwashing. As far as I'm concerned it is child abuse to force religious beliefs upon a child from such a young age and limit their thinking drastically.

And what happens if the Christian faith is the truth.....and people do go to hell for rejecting God?

What should be illlegal is for schools to teach the lie of evolution when what is taught has already proven to be scientifically incorrect. Now that is plain evil.

Christianity doesnt limit thinking... In fact in this modern age most of the sciences and the great colleges were started by Christians. Christianity cause the abolishment of slavery, the emancipation of women and gives society a moral compass. (as opposed the the strong oppressing the weak cause they can)

Seriously who ever taught you what you now seem to believe needs therapy (for a long time)

 

[RCF]

Trotsky, I am not trying to stir the pot, but I am genuinely curious. Are you a parant yet?

RCF

 

[Tellastory]

Sometimes I wonder if a parent does not mention the consequences of not believing in Him as if there are no consequences, is that really being a parent?

If you were not told of the consequences for not believing, then are you really informed in this free thinking process to make a choice on the matter?

Granted, leaning on the kid and peer pressuring him or her into saying that they believe is one thing when they do not believe on the inside is a futile gesture akin to muslims towards their own kids, but asking why they do not believe yet is a better way so that children can make a more informed choice.

A parent can say don't ever put a screwdriver in an electrical outlet without sharing the consequences, but the curiosity of the kid will lead him or her to find out why.

A parent could say the Good News to the kid without ever saying the consequences for not believing the Good News, thus thinking what the world thinks, " I want to live first and have fun and party like they do on TV and in movies before I even think about God and Jesus Christ".

Death can come at any moment. Children and even infants die every day.

If the whole point is for Jesus to be our Saviour to save us from our sins and thus save us from being sent to hell where every sinner is going to be totally seperated from God and all that is good, then children need to know what Jesus is saving them from to make an informed choice.

If there is something keeping them from believing, then parents need to address that and even research it if they do not know the answer, but they should also encourage the child to seek for those answers too, trusting God that "if " He is there, He will keep His promise about all those that seek, shall find.

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

Putting something off for tomorrow in favour of free thinking is not wise when the world is being a corruptive influence as an opposing parent to any child from the way that the true parents wants that child to go in.

Proverbs 22:5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Every child raised by christian parents should know their Creator & Redeemer in a personal way in walking through this valley of death.

 

[Redheadedstepchild]

Mod Hat

Thread has been cleaned. Per the statement of Faith for this area, anyone can start a thread but only Christians may respond. Thank you.

 

[Kurama]

I was brought up in a non practicing Christian household. We honoured our religion as family heritage and tradition, nothing more. I always felt that we were more interested in such things as the Eucharist, Communion etc, rather than our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Of course my parents would have, quite frankly, not cared whether I stuck with my religion or not.

However I ''became'' a Christian myself. I do not believe in the Christening or infant baptism (yes, how very un-Catholic of me) because I strongly believe that people should make the choice whether to accept our Lord's gift of eternal life! We cannot declare that a baby is Christian in church, because they could then turn atheist later on in life! Thus I found Christ myself, and regard the Christian spiritual journey as more of an individual thing (although I advocate going to church to find like-minded individuals).

For that same reason, I would never force my religion on my children. I don't want them to be Christian just to please me or uphold ''family tradition'' (just like in the case of my parents), nothing could upset me more. I would pray and hope that they find Christ, and if so I would do whatever in my power to nurture it.

 

[seashale76]

People always say stuff like this- but every parent indoctrinates their children. People who claim they don't are full of it. Inaction/excessive permissiveness/neglect is its own form of indoctrination too. People should really study developmental psychology as it will make all the ways we 'indoctrinate' children very apparent. We begin picking up culture from early infancy.

Where do people get the idea that it's wrong for parents to teach their children their beliefs? There comes a time when everyone decides whether to continue believing as they were raised, or to chuck it for something else. Attempting to not 'indoctrinate' your children is its own form of indoctrination too.

All children are stuck with their parents until they are old enough to take care of themselves, legally. Like it or not, children don't have adult options. Children don't have adult reasoning. Children don't have adult rights. Everyone chooses their belief system at some point. Choosing to reject the belief system you were raised in is an option for everyone. I did it. If you think for one minute that someone who 'chooses to raise their children without a belief system so they can choose their own later' isn't raising their children with a belief system, then you'd be mistaken. EVERYONE raises their children with beliefs/indoctrination. It is unavoidable.

 

[Mei Senpai]

Seashale76: I totally agree 100%

 

[dogs4thewin]

The Bible says that we are to share Christ and also that if we raise a child in the way he shell go he will not depart from it. ( as a proverb this is not ALWAYS the case but most of the time). I do not support parents who are so strict that their children resent them and the faith.

 

[ChristianT]

People always say stuff like this- but every parent indoctrinates their children. People who claim they don't are full of it. Inaction/excessive permissiveness/neglect is its own form of indoctrination too. People should really study developmental psychology as it will make all the ways we 'indoctrinate' children very apparent. We begin picking up culture from early infancy.

Where do people get the idea that it's wrong for parents to teach their children their beliefs? There comes a time when everyone decides whether to continue believing as they were raised, or to chuck it for something else. Attempting to not 'indoctrinate' your children is its own form of indoctrination too.

All children are stuck with their parents until they are old enough to take care of themselves, legally. Like it or not, children don't have adult options. Children don't have adult reasoning. Children don't have adult rights. Everyone chooses their belief system at some point. Choosing to reject the belief system you were raised in is an option for everyone. I did it. If you think for one minute that someone who 'chooses to raise their children without a belief system so they can choose their own later' isn't raising their children with a belief system, then you'd be mistaken. EVERYONE raises their children with beliefs/indoctrination. It is unavoidable.

I agree 50% (explained below)

The Bible says that we are to share Christ and also that if we raise a child in the way he shell go he will not depart from it. ( as a proverb this is not ALWAYS the case but most of the time). I do not support parents who are so strict that their children resent them and the faith.

I agree 100%.

 

[BluhdoftheLamb]

I'm wondering if any Christian parents can justify forcing religion upon their children. I see it in so many households its unbearable. Children are being tricked by their parents into believing that if they do not believe in God or Jesus they will burn in hell forever. I was also brought up this way but thankfully I was able to break through the brainwashing. As far as I'm concerned it is child abuse to force religious beliefs upon a child from such a young age and limit their thinking drastically.

Abraham was picked by God specifically because he would teach his children God's ways.

'Nuff said?

 

[aiki]

I'm wondering if any Christian parents can justify forcing religion upon their children. I see it in so many households its unbearable. Children are being tricked by their parents into believing that if they do not believe in God or Jesus they will burn in hell forever.

Obviously, Christian parents don't believe that such teaching is a "trick." Why should they be obliged to teach their own children according to what you believe? As a Christian, I find your godless worldview just as abhorrent as you find my worldview to be.

I was also brought up this way but thankfully I was able to break through the brainwashing. As far as I'm concerned it is child abuse to force religious beliefs upon a child from such a young age and limit their thinking drastically.

Well, you're entitled to your opinion - however erroneous and prejudiced it may be.

Selah.

 

[Sketcher]

LOL, you're name is Trotsky and you're Constitution Party? Something's fake here.

Anyway, "indoctrination" is the term people use when kids are being taught what they don't agree with. When they do agree with what is being taught, it's "teaching values." To one set of parents or teachers, bringing a child up with A is teaching values, but to another set it will be indoctrination. What it's called depends entirely on their bias. In either case though, when a parent doesn't teach something either way, it is called "neglect."

Therefore, your objection is merely a matter of opinion. You are not in any sort of position to demand justification for how others choose to live their lives and raise their children. You believe that religion is harmful, I believe that religion is essential. Just as the body needs food to grow, so does the mind and spirit, and bringing children up in good, true religion feeds the mind and spirit. I would not starve my children of anything I believe they need. That would be abuse. If I were to not teach my children the truth of Christianity, that would constitute spiritual abuse. If you think that teaching children Christianity constitutes abuse, and if I think that not teaching children Christianity constitutes abuse, I'd say we're at an impasse here. At that point, it would be time to respect the First Amendment rights of others, and live our lives.

 

[Hawisher]

I am not yet a parent. When I am a parent, I do not think I shall force my children to go to church. I plan to teach them about Christianity and why I believe. I also plan to teach them about common objections to Christianity, and why I don't think they're sufficient.

I will be honest, I've seen this sort of question several times, and it just doesn't make any sense to me. Do some atheists think that Christianity is just a game to us? Do you really think that we're in it for the power or respect that it gives us? Because if you don't believe that; if you recognize that we do in fact sincerely believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that it is necessary to believe in Him to go to heaven, your question boils down to "Why do you want your children to go to heaven?" I should hope I don't need to tell you why this is a ridiculous question.

I doubt the OP will respond to this question, but I think I'll ask it anyway: do you really believe that the Christians with whom you're discussing this do not sincerely believe in Christianity?

 

[abysmul]

My siblings and I were raised in a Methodist church (sadly, calling that congregation lukewarm would be giving them too much credit), when my brother went off to college he came back an evangelical atheist and said that he'd never impose his belief system on any children he had.

Plenty of times my brother called people of faith stupid, but solidly affirming that he'd never shape his children's views on religious/spiritual matters (or the lack thereof). He constantly stressed that they have their own minds and would think for themselves, not to be brainwashed by their parents.


All 3 of his children are now adults out on their own, and to say they are God hating atheists would be an understatement. They mirror my brother.

(Yes, God hating, they seem very bitter.)


Parents influence their children, period.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

I know God, I have experienced him, he told me a person I could marry, we got married and it worked out great. That is how I got my kid. I have performed miracles like healing the sick, hearing from God, all sorts of things you can read about them at Know God Personally

I am not sending my son to hell. Why should I close my mouth about healing the sick, hearing from God, knowing God who has blessed me in all things. I want my son blessed not cursed. We teach truth not lies.

 

[Kallia]

I truly believe in Jesus and His message. My children should be well informed about my beliefs & why I believe. My parents did not teach me well, so I did a lot of study into Jesus, His reality, & His message. I have no doubt of God's existence because of this.

I want my children to know what I know & I am willing to allow them to learn about other ideas & beliefs so they can compare them as I did. Then they will be able to make an informed decision also.

Since I go to church, study the Bible, & do other things (like pray, support missions, etc.) they will be exposed to it because they are my children & live with me. Should I hide my faith? Emphatically no! And I will not.

Proverbs 22:6 says: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will depart from it.

1 Peter 3:15 tells me to "always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you".

And lastly, I not only want my own foundation built on a rock (Luke 6:48), but my children's as well.

 

[Livia21]

I think that all people should be able to make their own choices in life, but I guess it would be hard for a parent to not do this, I think they do this, because they want their children to be protected in all ways.