religion and kids

[No Good Boyo]

Is it really acceptable to push your religion on your children?
I appreciate that the believer thinks that their faith is true, and their faith makes them happy. Therefore it is only natural to wish to pass on this truth and happiness to ones children. However, each believer must accept that there are more people who doubt their faith than there are who follow their faith (as no religion constitutes 50% of the population). To the rational mind this would obviously create some doubt or uncertainty. Given the acceptable margin of error (for lack of a better term), is it then fair to fill a childs mind with what could be misinformation? Would it be a better option to leave faith out of a childs upbringing until they were of sufficient age to make an informed and rational decision as to the existence of the god chosen by their parents.
The reason I ask is that my daughter (6) recently came home from school talking about god, jesus and religion. I did not instantly dismiss this as fairy stories as I appreciate that some of her friends are being raised as Christian. Instead I informed her that these things are for older children to discuss and are not for little children. I also had some words with the head teacher, but that’s another story. But this incident got me thinking about the rights and wrongs of teaching religion to kids.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

What do you call pushing religion on kids? Define that first, and then we can discuss.

 

[Bismillah]

Is it acceptable to push culture on kids? Should a Dutch national not teach his child Dutch in the understanding that his language is a dying one and rather a course in English and Chinese would be much better?

 

[Jacksnyte]

Is it really acceptable to push your religion on your children?
I appreciate that the believer thinks that their faith is true, and their faith makes them happy. Therefore it is only natural to wish to pass on this truth and happiness to ones children. However, each believer must accept that there are more people who doubt their faith than there are who follow their faith (as no religion constitutes 50% of the population). To the rational mind this would obviously create some doubt or uncertainty. Given the acceptable margin of error (for lack of a better term), is it then fair to fill a childs mind with what could be misinformation? Would it be a better option to leave faith out of a childs upbringing until they were of sufficient age to make an informed and rational decision as to the existence of the god chosen by their parents.
The reason I ask is that my daughter (6) recently came home from school talking about god, jesus and religion. I did not instantly dismiss this as fairy stories as I appreciate that some of her friends are being raised as Christian. Instead I informed her that these things are for older children to discuss and are not for little children. I also had some words with the head teacher, but that’s another story. But this incident got me thinking about the rights and wrongs of teaching religion to kids.

Having grown up in a household where a particular religion was shoved down my throat, I would have to say that the ideal would be to have information on at least all the worlds major religions as well as Humanism/Athiesm on hand so that your child can make at least a somewhat informed decision if they even become interested in such things at all. I know so many people who grow up ignorant of any other possibilities. If a child is led to believe there are no alternatives, they will either be intolerant of anything other than what they were taught (not to mention unable to truly excercise critical thinking in this area), or they will likely turn completely away from the belief system that was originally forced on them.

 

[Caladan]

With all due respect. it is the responsibility of any parent to inherit their children the background and tradition from which they come from.
Not only is it acceptable. it is desirable. if a child is to survive in this world.
the first thing we all go back to is our upbringing, our traditions, and our culture.

 

[Jacksnyte]

Is it acceptable to push culture on kids? Should a Dutch national not teach his child Dutch in the understanding that his language is a dying one and rather a course in English and Chinese would be much better?

You are making a completely different point than what the OP is addressing. Culture is not the same as religion. Religions are often part of a culture, but not forcing your beliefs on your child is in no way the same as not teaching your child how to communicate effectively in your society!

 

[No Good Boyo]

What do you call pushing religion on kids? Define that first, and then we can discuss.

encouraging them in any way to follow your chosen faith - taking them to church, encouraging prayer, reading of the bible to them, stories of jesus. That kind of thing

 

[Caladan]

You are making a completely different point than what the OP is addressing. Culture is not the same as religion. Religions are often part of a culture

You seem to be speaking of ignorance about other people.
In many nations the two go together and are in effect synonymous.
even the majority of atheist Jews will look down on you if you disregard Judaism. as their survival mechanism is, and has always been Judaism.
In Arab, Kurdish, Turkish, Persian and other Mid eastern cultures, it is bordering the absurd to try and separate religion from the culture.

 

[England my lionheart]

Personally i think its wrong if you mean teaching your Child a religion as an absolute,i think its ok in school for a child to learn about the different religions of the world in RE classes as long as its taught alongside critical thinking.

For my own Children i have left it up to them,the only things i've tagged on to religion is to reason things out with a critical eye,i don't think keeping your Kids away from religion will help though even though i felt the same as you do once.

 

[No Good Boyo]

Is it acceptable to push culture on kids? Should a Dutch national not teach his child Dutch in the understanding that his language is a dying one and rather a course in English and Chinese would be much better?

I don’t see how a Dutch man insisting on a English education for his child is comparable or relevant. For one, why would anyone want their child speaking a different language to themselves? I am told that “faith is a personal thing”, where as communication is a group thing. Either way, it doesn’t get me any closer to an answer to my question, but thanks for taking the time to reply

 

[Gaura Priya]

Yes... I strongly intend on immersing and indoctrinating my future children in the values of Unitarian Universalism, make sure they go to church with me every Sunday, and attend the Unitarian Universalist sunday school where they learn about the values of each religion... and encourage them to critique themselves and the world of beliefs.

I want to be proud of my children and pass on this glorious heritage.

 

[No Good Boyo]

Having grown up in a household where a particular religion was shoved down my throat, I would have to say that the ideal would be to have information on at least all the worlds major religions as well as Humanism/Athiesm on hand so that your child can make at least a somewhat informed decision if they even become interested in such things at all. I know so many people who grow up ignorant of any other possibilities. If a child is led to believe there are no alternatives, they will either be intolerant of anything other than what they were taught (not to mention unable to truly excercise critical thinking in this area), or they will likely turn completely away from the belief system that was originally forced on them.

This solution throw up too many impracticalities. You would need to be an authority on many religions in order to impart such information to a 6 year old. I guess your reply goes some way to supporting my idea that children should be spared the complexities of religion until their minds are developed to a higher level (say teens, for example).

 

[Jacksnyte]

You seem to be speaking of ignorance about other people.
In many nations the two go together and are in effect synonymous.
even the majority of atheist Jews will look down on you if you disregard Judaism. as their survival mechanism is, and has always been Judaism.
In Arab, Kurdish, Turkish, Persian and other Mid eastern cultures, it is bordering the absurd to try and separate religion from the culture.

Very good point from a global perspective, but from the perspective of a parent in the U.S., our culture here is not based on any particular religion. I have seen firsthand the ill effects of indoctrination. From willfull ignorance to dangerous extremism, and all points in between. In the U.S., culture, spirituality/religion, and social identity are often very seperate things.

 

[Bismillah]

but from the perspective of a parent in the U.S., our culture here is not based on any particular religion.

No but each specific person does have their own personal religion. Is it any less important?

I have seen firsthand the ill effects of indoctrination. From willfull ignorance to dangerous extremism, and all points in between. In the U.S., culture, spirituality/religion, and social identity are often very seperate things.

There is danger in everything, including an apathy in regards to one's own roots and culture. Instilling the religious and cultural values in the newer generation is no more harmful than robbing them of their heritage.

 

[No Good Boyo]

With all due respect. it is the responsibility of any parent to inherit their children the background and tradition from which they come from.
Not only is it acceptable. it is desirable. if a child is to survive in this world.
the first thing we all go back to is our upbringing, our traditions, and our culture.

I respectfully disagree with your assessment of the importance of “tradition” in the raising of any child. Tradition, in my opinion, is nowhere near as important as education, respect and moral values. All of these can be given to a child without the introduction of religion.

 

[Jacksnyte]

This solution throw up too many impracticalities. You would need to be an authority on many religions in order to impart such information to a 6 year old. I guess your reply goes some way to supporting my idea that children should be spared the complexities of religion until their minds are developed to a higher level (say teens, for example).

I agree. I didn't really attempt to give any information until they were around 13 or 14.

 

[No Good Boyo]

Yes... I strongly intend on immersing and indoctrinating my future children in the values of Unitarian Universalism, make sure they go to church with me every Sunday, and attend the Unitarian Universalist sunday school where they learn about the values of each religion... and encourage them to critique themselves and the world of beliefs.

I want to be proud of my children and pass on this glorious heritage.

please forgive my ignorance...What is Unitarian Universalism?

 

[Bismillah]

Tradition, in my opinion, is nowhere near as important as education, respect and moral values. All of these can be given to a child without the introduction of religion

They are just as important as finding one's place in the world.

 

[RitalinO.D.]

In Arab, Kurdish, Turkish, Persian and other Mid eastern cultures, it is bordering the absurd to try and separate religion from the culture.

But comparing countries with oppressive religious governments who by force in most cases violently enforce that religious law, to a western culture that has freedom of religion isn't an accurate comparison. Most of those countries, they don't have a choice but to force it down their childrens throats. In western cultures, it's perfectly legal to practice any religion, and even speak out against it without fear of retribution. In arab countries, Islam is literally used to control the masses, Sharia law being a prime example.

While ultimately it's up to the individual parents to decide what they teach their children, I don't think it's appropriate to force kids to go to church, Sunday school, bible studies, etc. Allowing them to decide when they are old enough to understand it and realize the options seems a more fair alternative. The Amish are actually alot like that. They dont consider children a part of the church until they go through a ritual, and actually allow them to go out and experience the real world through a tradition called Rumspringa. If they come back, and decide to be members, then they are accepted and are considered a part of the church.

 

[Caladan]

I respectfully disagree with your assessment of the importance of “tradition” in the raising of any child. Tradition, in my opinion, is nowhere near as important as education, respect and moral values. All of these can be given to a child without the introduction of religion.

All these can and are given to a child. however, they can also be given with a proper education of the scriptures at the same lifespan.
No one is forcing you, I hope, in your country. to raise your children under the Christian dogma.
Different cultures, different strokes.