Personal Issue

[AtheistPerson2]

I wrote a little draft in the members features section on what I think about "ignorant" christians that dont understand my views... you might want to check it out.

 

[fanatiquefou]

How about Christian parents who force their atheist children to attend mass / church with them? Should that be considered a form of punishment? I think so.

That really depends for me on the age of the child. I certainly don't think it's unreasonable for parents to expect their young children to attend the religious services of whatever faith the family belongs to, nor do I consider it punishment. I would tend to say that by the time the child is a teenager or so, it should be left more up to him or her, although I still don't necessarily think it would be a punishment to require them to attend while still living under their parents' roof.

 

[EvoDan]

I wrote a little draft in the members features section on what I think about "ignorant" christians that dont understand my views... you might want to check it out.

Kind of new here. Where is the "features" section? Got a link?

 

[EvoDan]

That really depends for me on the age of the child. I certainly don't think it's unreasonable for parents to expect their young children to attend the religious services of whatever faith the family belongs to, nor do I consider it punishment. I would tend to say that by the time the child is a teenager or so, it should be left more up to him or her, although I still don't necessarily think it would be a punishment to require them to attend while still living under their parents' roof.

Brainwashing is MUCH easier when done by large groups.

 

[charityagape]

How about Christian parents who force their atheist children to attend mass / church with them? Should that be considered a form of punishment? I think so.

Children are "forced" to do all sorts of things they may think are punishment. School, chores, etc. Making them attend church up to a certain age is not a big deal, if it became a battle once a child is 15, 16 its really not IMO a great idea to force church on them.

Of course, personally, I might not feel the need to force expensive nikes and expensive clothes and allowances and hey a car on them either.

 

[EvoDan]

Of course, personally, I might not feel the need to force expensive nikes and expensive clothes and allowances and hey a car on them either.

Repent, or go to your room without your supper!

 

[charityagape]

No, supper's fine.

 

[ChristianCenturion]

Yeah, its not. When family shows anger and starts to take things away from you that dont even have yet you start to understand how some people think...

Edit: I'm curious to see if any christians answer this.

Anger is a neutral issue that needs to be qualified to determine whether it is justified or not.

Anger also isn't hate.

Speaking for myself and as a father: It is difficult to live up to the model of perfection that I would wish for my children; however, I am not perfect and I am certainly fallible. So I can only try my best at being a good father. Fortunately, I have a chosen Father as my role model.

But a lot of being a father requires making judgments within complicated scenarios, limited knowledge, limited capabilities and responding to conditions that I would prefer not to have... but it is still my duty to do so.
Add to that my duty as a husband, as a man, as a citizen, as a servant and above all as a Christian and I have many areas and opportunities to fail... or succeed.


I'm sure that your parents love you, can you move beyond your perspective of injustice and try to love them too, despite any possible failings of theirs?

 

[Jesus-is-the-1]

It's not right. We are called to love everyone, not just the ones that agree with a certain religion. Now, I might not always agree with what someone else believes, but I wouldn't be mean or punish or hate someone b/c of it.

 

[Jacob4Jesus]

Well, I was very fortunate because my mom allowed us to choose any religion that we wanted to. However, as long as we lived in her house there were certain rules that we had to follow. For example, if one of us chose Wicca (which we didn't), there would be no spell casting in the house (and yes, I know that's stereotypical and not what Wicca is all about). When I was a pagan, my mom didn't want me using tarot cards in her house. It was her house and her right to do that. She gave me leeway in finding my own religion as long as I respected her home.

But I don't always think that parents making their children go to church is necessarily bad nor brainwashing. I mean it can be, depending upon the parent. But in many cases it's because the parent believes in the religion and wants what they think is best for the children. And most kids, even if they believe in Christianity, would probably take the choice of sleeping in on Sundays than going to church.

Disowning them for chosing a different religion IS wrong, though. But it's completely fine for them to present their arguement to you and hope that you will take it.

 

[belladonic-haze]

The existence of God or any deity has not been proven. You've simply made a choice, for whatever reason, to believe.

Sounds silly even for my scientific mind, but God came to me.........I saw Him and even then I doubted my mind......but later on I realized in my heart it is true.

But hey, I could be wrong and He doesn't excist at all, I can't be sure He does, but something in me tells me He does.

That doesn't mean I don't have doubts...I am only human....

 

[Diane_Windsor]

Is it moral to punish and hate your child because you are a catholic and he is an atheist?

Nope, and it goes against Vatican teachings.

Diane

 

[revrobor]

"Train up a child in the way he should go......" (Prov. 22:6) means it is the Christian parents responsibility to be used of the Lord to bring the child to Him. Punishing him for not believing would be of no value.