Parents shouldn't teach children religion!!!

i totally agree with louis about letting children try out a few faiths when there old enough to decide themselves

and this just struck me while thinking of the OP

if parents didnt teach children religion who would? would you trust the public school system to teach it?
it is wrong to shove religion down the throats of people who dont wish to follow it, but it would be way better to teach your kid the pros and cons of religion, seeing what they are interested and letting them make there own decisions

Green Cross said:

Children should respect their elders and do what they're told; it's not a new concept.

Just look at how much more disrespectful people are today, than that conformity has been eroded.

But it's up to you; either people will learn self-discipline, and control thier behavior using their own moral inner-compass, or we can live in a state where a tyrannical government keeps you in line. Lawlessness isn't an option

Click to expand...

So basically just as the other guy said, we should believe what she
wants us to believe in?

Everyone is an individual and is capable of making their own choices.
We shouldn't have to believe in a God just because your parents

tell you to.

Louis541 said:

Hey PK, why do you feel you know what's best for other people's children? Do you have kids?
Don't get me wrong, I agree that religion is bullshit, but at a young age it's nice to have something to believe in.
Personally, when my son get's older, I'm going to take him to a few different churches, and ask him if there is any one that he would like to continue going to. If he likes going to a certain church, I will let him go there strictly on a voluntary basis.

Click to expand...

I never said I knew what's best for everyone's kids, I simply think
Parents should let their children decide whether or not they

want to believe in an upper being or not. Not force them to believe
in it. Now what you're doing, is fine. Because you're giving him a choice
in whether or not he wants to believe in God or not.

Green Cross is saying we should do what we're told by our parents,
whether we like it or not. I think its the individual's choice to choose
if they want to believe or not.

Green Cross said:

Any parent who let's their kid make the decisions isn't much of a parent.

What if the kid decides he doesn't like going to the dentist?

I think it's funny that these discussions turn in to a pro or con religious argument... but maybe there's something to be said for tradition?

Click to expand...

So does that mean Louis isn't a good parent because he won't FORCE/TELL his kid he has to believe in God?

Is it so wrong that the child is given the choice of what he personally
wants to believe in?

I don't think its wrong, its called free will. Children should be able to
have it too.

It doesn't matter if the kid decides he doesn't like going to the dentist,
any parent would make their child go to the dentist because its

important for their health and well being. Just like going to the family
doctor. Would you let your kid tell you he doesn't want to go
to the doctor if he was strep throat? No. You would make him

go because you know its for the better. Religion and the belief
in God does nothing physically for your health like a Dentist or
family doctor does.

KaleoXxX said:

i totally agree with louis about letting children try out a few faiths when there old enough to decide themselves

and this just struck me while thinking of the OP

if parents didnt teach children religion who would? would you trust the public school system to teach it?
it is wrong to shove religion down the throats of people who dont wish to follow it, but it would be way better to teach your kid the pros and cons of religion, seeing what they are interested and letting them make there own decisions

Click to expand...

This is exactly what I'm saying. The children should have a CHOICE
in whether or not they want to believe in it or not.

Parents will always teach children religion, for as long as the world
is still spinning.

But, instead of forcing it on them at a young and vulnerable age,
I feel it would be more fair for the parents to wait, and give them

the decision to make for themselves.

Green Cross said:

Any parent who let's their kid make the decisions isn't much of a parent.

What if the kid decides he doesn't like going to the dentist?

I think it's funny that these discussions turn in to a pro or con religious argument... but maybe there's something to be said for tradition?

Click to expand...

Dude, did you listen to what you said, letting kids make their own decisions is what helps them build a sense of identity and responsibility. If the parent makes all of the decisions, then you are just raising the kid to be what you WANT them to be, and not what they really are.

There's a difference between bad parenting and giving your child some freedom.

in my opinion it depends on how old you are.... when i was younger my parents had me and all my young brothers go to religious education, as soon as we completed all the steps to me a part of the catholic church such as first communion, and confirmation our parents let us have the choise wether or not we wanted to continue going to church. we were 16 when we got the choice , it really changes though when you arent being forced to do it, i dont go every sunday i usually just go for special holidays. let your family know that they should force feed you that stuff, it will only get through to you when you are ready

Did any of you actually make the conscious decision one day "yeah, I think I believe in God..." or "nope... I don't believe in God..."?

For me the decision never came quite like that. I do not see valid evidence to support the idea that a personal God exists, I don't have the ability to 'choose' to believe in one or not as there is only one option available in my mind.

Just like I can't choose to not believe in electricity or magnetism... You look at the data, then come to a conclusion.

If there is one shred of evidence of the authenticity of any religion, please, point me to it.

Green Cross said:

Any parent who let's their kid make the decisions isn't much of a parent.

What if the kid decides he doesn't like going to the dentist?

I think it's funny that these discussions turn in to a pro or con religious argument... but maybe there's something to be said for tradition?

Click to expand...

good thing the world doesn't give a shit about your approval, then, huh?

Sorry PK, I saw the title and thought you were saying religion all together should be abolished.

I also think parents should decide how they want to raise their children

Louis541 said:

good thing the world doesn't give a shit about your approval, then, huh?

Sorry PK, I saw the title and thought you were saying religion all together should be abolished.

Click to expand...

Nah, just that children should have a choice about
what to believe in, instead of being forced to believe

in it. Or being kicked out or beaten because they say they
don't believe in it.

That 5hit said:

i was baptized twice does this mean it canceled out

Click to expand...

Na your just dubble protected and had your sins washed away twice

[youtube]PFrufPxjwX0[/youtube]

for the kids . . .