A question about what your kids read *warning mild religious content*
- Thread starter sparks19
- Start date
I don't believe in God at all. My friend is very religious and believes in God. I have refused to talk about religion with her because we just get into arguments that really aren't necessary. But neither one of use would force our children to believe in something that we believe (or don't believe in)
What I mean by this is that I think my child should learn to believe in something that (s)he would like to believe in. If at age 11 (s)he decides that she wants to believe in god, then be it. If she decides that she doesn't believe in god, then so be it. Religion has never played a large roll in my life, partially because it didn't play a big roll in my parents life I guess. But I just can't believe in the Bible or God.
I will not refuse to read books like 'Dear God' to my child because personally I think the bible has good stories in it. To me these are fictional stories but they may not be to him/her. I had a children's bible as a child and I personally feel that it is important for my child to learn about different religions, so I will read the Children's bible to my future child. Once they are old enough I will explain that I personally don't believe these stories but that there are people out there who do believe this and in God. I will then also explain that there are many different religions. But I would never force a child onto a religion or to be none religious.
What I mean by this is that I think my child should learn to believe in something that (s)he would like to believe in. If at age 11 (s)he decides that she wants to believe in god, then be it. If she decides that she doesn't believe in god, then so be it. Religion has never played a large roll in my life, partially because it didn't play a big roll in my parents life I guess. But I just can't believe in the Bible or God.
I will not refuse to read books like 'Dear God' to my child because personally I think the bible has good stories in it. To me these are fictional stories but they may not be to him/her. I had a children's bible as a child and I personally feel that it is important for my child to learn about different religions, so I will read the Children's bible to my future child. Once they are old enough I will explain that I personally don't believe these stories but that there are people out there who do believe this and in God. I will then also explain that there are many different religions. But I would never force a child onto a religion or to be none religious.
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2006
- Messages
- 15,349
- Likes
- 0
- Points
- 36
I agree with Sparks 100% on this. Other people choose to raise their children however they want.
A two year old IS NOT going to make a decision about God. A two year old isn't going to UNDERSTAND God, no matter how smart they are. But they can understand stories, and reading to them is important. Why is letting a small child believe in Noah's Ark any worse than letting him believe in Candyland or Unicorns or Santa Claus, if you're not religious?
I'd let my three year old read a book on Wicca. I'd let her read a book on Buddhism. I'd let her read a book on athiesm. I'll tell her different people believe in different things. Some were raised to believe it, some have witnessed things that make them believe, some simply have faith. If she asked what i believe i'd tell her (i'm agnostic, and i believe choosing a god and religion is nearly as important as trying to learn about others, accept others, and be a good person).
Children are impressionable. Which is why i think showing them a book on a God, and letting their imaginations run wild, is much more important than telling them there IS or ISN'T a god.
A two year old IS NOT going to make a decision about God. A two year old isn't going to UNDERSTAND God, no matter how smart they are. But they can understand stories, and reading to them is important. Why is letting a small child believe in Noah's Ark any worse than letting him believe in Candyland or Unicorns or Santa Claus, if you're not religious?
I'd let my three year old read a book on Wicca. I'd let her read a book on Buddhism. I'd let her read a book on athiesm. I'll tell her different people believe in different things. Some were raised to believe it, some have witnessed things that make them believe, some simply have faith. If she asked what i believe i'd tell her (i'm agnostic, and i believe choosing a god and religion is nearly as important as trying to learn about others, accept others, and be a good person).
Children are impressionable. Which is why i think showing them a book on a God, and letting their imaginations run wild, is much more important than telling them there IS or ISN'T a god.
While I agree with that statement, I believe that it should be qualified. Children CAN and DO parrot what their parents say and what their parents say that they believe. This parroting, if performed often enough, will become a basis for a belief and a belief system. It doesn't matter what the belief system is, christian, muslim, buddhist, shinto, confucianism, or wiccan or other....
Well.. *Pause to think if I should continue*.. as I realize I'm once again may swim alone against the current on this thread 
IF (a very big IF) you (a generic you, of course) as parents strongly believe in God, and you KNOW without doubt that God is real & through the ups and downs of your lives, you SEE what good faith has done to you, then why don't you want the same thing for your kid?
I can understand non-believer parents do not want to direct their kids toward God, but I can never understand why Christian parents would want their kids to "believe in whatever they choose when they grow up". Wouldn't you want to bring them up in your faith?
For me, I would do my best to instill the Catholic faith in my kids. Of course, I won't do it forcefully, and I won't steer them away from any questions they may have that surely will arise as they grow up... BUT, I'll do it by taking them to Church with me every Sunday, setting good examples for them, teaching them to pray to God, showing them who God is and what God does, and how they can be like-God to others. With God's grace & my efforts, I pray that they'll remain in their faith throughout their lives.
The best thing I inherited from my parents is my faith, and I would hope to be able to pass it on to my kid.
IF (a very big IF) you (a generic you, of course) as parents strongly believe in God, and you KNOW without doubt that God is real & through the ups and downs of your lives, you SEE what good faith has done to you, then why don't you want the same thing for your kid?
I can understand non-believer parents do not want to direct their kids toward God, but I can never understand why Christian parents would want their kids to "believe in whatever they choose when they grow up". Wouldn't you want to bring them up in your faith?
For me, I would do my best to instill the Catholic faith in my kids. Of course, I won't do it forcefully, and I won't steer them away from any questions they may have that surely will arise as they grow up... BUT, I'll do it by taking them to Church with me every Sunday, setting good examples for them, teaching them to pray to God, showing them who God is and what God does, and how they can be like-God to others. With God's grace & my efforts, I pray that they'll remain in their faith throughout their lives.
The best thing I inherited from my parents is my faith, and I would hope to be able to pass it on to my kid.
T
Well.. *Pause to think if I should continue*.. as I realize I'm once again may swim alone against the current on this thread
IF (a very big IF) you (a generic you, of course) as parents strongly believe in God, and you KNOW without doubt that God is real & through the ups and downs of your lives, you SEE what good faith has done to you, then why don't you want the same thing for your kid?
I can understand non-believer parents do not want to direct their kids toward God, but I can never understand why Christian parents would want their kids to "believe in whatever they choose when they grow up". Wouldn't you want to bring them up in your faith?
For me, I would do my best to instill the Catholic faith in my kids. Of course, I won't do it forcefully, and I won't steer them away from any questions they may have that surely will arise as they grow up... BUT, I'll do it by taking them to Church with me every Sunday, setting good examples for them, teaching them to pray to God, showing them who God is and what God does, and how they can be like-God to others. With God's grace & my efforts, I pray that they'll remain in their faith throughout their lives.
The best thing I inherited from my parents is my faith, and I would hope to be able to pass it on to my kid.
IF (a very big IF) you (a generic you, of course) as parents strongly believe in God, and you KNOW without doubt that God is real & through the ups and downs of your lives, you SEE what good faith has done to you, then why don't you want the same thing for your kid?
I can understand non-believer parents do not want to direct their kids toward God, but I can never understand why Christian parents would want their kids to "believe in whatever they choose when they grow up". Wouldn't you want to bring them up in your faith?
For me, I would do my best to instill the Catholic faith in my kids. Of course, I won't do it forcefully, and I won't steer them away from any questions they may have that surely will arise as they grow up... BUT, I'll do it by taking them to Church with me every Sunday, setting good examples for them, teaching them to pray to God, showing them who God is and what God does, and how they can be like-God to others. With God's grace & my efforts, I pray that they'll remain in their faith throughout their lives.
The best thing I inherited from my parents is my faith, and I would hope to be able to pass it on to my kid.
Ah, freedom. I believe freewill is the best gift given to humankind. BUT, freedom doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. Lets say, you cannot run a red light or drive on the opposite side of the street, and say that you have the freedom to do so, likewise, you cannot treat other people badly and claim that it's okay to do so because you have freedom?? Parenting is all about directing your kids in the right directions. And how do you know what is the right directions if they're not guided by interlectual, social rules, or religious beliefs, etc..
As far as take away their right as a person to believe in whatever they wish or sheltering them from other beliefs. I hope I will never have to worry about that. After all, my parenting motto is "I try my best, and God will take care of the rest". Once their faith is firmly rooted in God, everything else will fall into their respective place.
As far as take away their right as a person to believe in whatever they wish or sheltering them from other beliefs. I hope I will never have to worry about that
. After all, my parenting motto is "I try my best, and God will take care of the rest". Once their faith is firmly rooted in God, everything else will fall into their respective place.
T
Ah, freedom. I believe freewill is the best gift given to humankind. BUT, freedom doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. Lets say, you cannot run a red light or drive on the opposite side of the street, and say that you have the freedom to do so, likewise, you cannot treat other people badly and claim that it's okay to do so because you have freedom?? Parenting is all about directing your kids in the right directions. And how do you know what is the right directions if they're not guided by social rules, or religious beliefs, etc..
As far as take away their right as a person to believe in whatever they wish or sheltering them from other beliefs. I hope I will never have to worry about that. After all, my parenting motto is "I try my best, and God will take care of the rest". Once they believe in God, everything else will fall into their respective place.
As far as take away their right as a person to believe in whatever they wish or sheltering them from other beliefs. I hope I will never have to worry about that
. After all, my parenting motto is "I try my best, and God will take care of the rest". Once they believe in God, everything else will fall into their respective place.
I believe that no matter what beliefs or thought processes you try to force upon children, they will still grow up to be whoever they are meant to be. They ARE their own person, and you can't force a person to believe. However, you can guide them in what you think is a right direction, teach them the best you can, but also let them be who they are.
And all this is from a Christian. A Christian who is strongly opposed of trying to force everyone to think and behave exactly like myself. Some of the most wonderful people that I respect most are those of which that believe differently than me as far as religion goes.
No, you cannot force your kid to believe.. but you can teach them about your faith & your beliefs, and hopefully they'll catch on. I never said I'll force my faith upon my kids either.. BUT, I said I would do my best to teach them about it.
As a catechist in the RCIA program, where all my "students" are adults who're in the process of joining the Catholic Church, I know first hand that you cannot force faith onto others
As a catechist in the RCIA program, where all my "students" are adults who're in the process of joining the Catholic Church, I know first hand that you cannot force faith onto others
I never said they wouldn't go to church with me or that I wouldn't teach them to pray etc etc.
but I will not shelter them from other beliefs. I WANT my children to share my faith but I will not shun them if they don't.
my parents were not christians (although I was baptised). and I didn't grow up under the influence of any belief. Although we always believed in God I can't say there was really any sort of faith in my household.
I came upon my faith all by myself without guidance from any other human. to ME that was GREAT. I truly appreciate my faith after living a lifestyle that was less than desireable for so many years. I chose my faith all on my own and I appreciate it that much more because I was allowed to choose it..... it wasn't forced on me by anyone. Like I said we always believed in God and heaven and we had prayers at funerals and such but we were never practicing.... we never went to church or anything like that.
So YES my children will be raised in a Christian home. they will be taught about God..... but I will not shelter them from other religions. they are going to meet people in life that don't share their beliefs. I don't want them to look down on others because they believe something different. I want them to understand that not everyone believes in God. I cannot and will NOT force my children to share my faith when they decide they are ready to choose. I HOPE they will share my faith but most importantly I want them to know they have the freedom to choose and I can only hope I have provided them with the tools to make an educated decision and not just follow the crowd.
Just an added note:
it seemed to be common belief that you should not let a child read about God if you do not believe because 2 year olds will believe anything you tell them....
Ok well that is all well and good .... but.... you believed a lot of things when you were two that are not correct..... do you still believe those things now? Do you still believe cartoon characters are real? Probably not. but I bet you still look fondly upon those cartoons and maybe even remember the "lesson" that was in the episode such as learning to count, or be nice to others. So why is a book about God any different? So at two you believe there is a God (just like you believe cartoons characters are real) because his name was mentioned in a book that also taught a very good lesson such as "treat others as you would like to be treated". when you are ten are you going to still believe that there is a God if you have been taught otherwise by your parents? probably not.... but hopefully your parents will have kept the LESSON in that book alive in you.
I mean.... I read the berenstein bears when I was a kid..... I believed that they really exsisted when I was very young. Should I not have been allowed to read that because my parents didn't believe there were actually bears out there that wore clothes and raised their little bear families? lol it's the SAME thing. If you don't believe in God..... reading a book that has God in it is the same as reading them winnie the pooh (in their eyes) but we still read them winnie the pooh because there is often a good message in the book.... help those in need. A book about God can teach the same lesson and God can be the "winnie the pooh" of the book if you don't want your kids to believe in God.
In other words, if we didn't want our kids at two years old to believe in anything that we don't believe in as adults.... a kids life would be pretty boring if you don't believe in God than just make him another "character" like winnie the pooh and your kid will be none the wiser. and no harm done to those who do not believe in God.
Why is it any different?
it seemed to be common belief that you should not let a child read about God if you do not believe because 2 year olds will believe anything you tell them....
Ok well that is all well and good .... but.... you believed a lot of things when you were two that are not correct..... do you still believe those things now? Do you still believe cartoon characters are real? Probably not. but I bet you still look fondly upon those cartoons and maybe even remember the "lesson" that was in the episode such as learning to count, or be nice to others. So why is a book about God any different? So at two you believe there is a God (just like you believe cartoons characters are real) because his name was mentioned in a book that also taught a very good lesson such as "treat others as you would like to be treated". when you are ten are you going to still believe that there is a God if you have been taught otherwise by your parents? probably not.... but hopefully your parents will have kept the LESSON in that book alive in you.
I mean.... I read the berenstein bears when I was a kid..... I believed that they really exsisted when I was very young. Should I not have been allowed to read that because my parents didn't believe there were actually bears out there that wore clothes and raised their little bear families? lol it's the SAME thing. If you don't believe in God..... reading a book that has God in it is the same as reading them winnie the pooh (in their eyes) but we still read them winnie the pooh because there is often a good message in the book.... help those in need. A book about God can teach the same lesson and God can be the "winnie the pooh" of the book if you don't want your kids to believe in God.
In other words, if we didn't want our kids at two years old to believe in anything that we don't believe in as adults.... a kids life would be pretty boring
if you don't believe in God than just make him another "character" like winnie the pooh and your kid will be none the wiser. and no harm done to those who do not believe in God.Why is it any different?