I have been grappling with this one for many years. I question the benefits and "security" you can offer your children by teaching them there is a benevolent god and an afterlife for the good, while teaching them to live for today by the golden rule can suffice. Are we hypocrites if we teach our children to be faithful to a god that we ourselves are not sure exists? I brought my children up in the church but now have quit attending because I feel I no longer belong there--don't believe. Does anyone have concrete reasons to either go back to church with the kids or keep on teaching them the realistic/measurable approach to life?
Which is better--Raising kids to believe in a God, or raising them to believe there is no God?
Children are usually exposed to all types of characters such as Santa Clause, Easter Bunny, the Leprechaun. It's another example besides God. They are usually full of imagination and hope/faith... and I think it's the reason why parents still make-believe that they do exist until the kids get older and realize it's not true. Kind of like a tradition, just like religion. It's sort of a way to teach them some morals at a younger age. By the time they get older, that's when they decide their values by exploring and how they should live their lives.
but I do somewhat agree with you there, on the part where we questions ourselves... are we hypocrites for lettin' the younger ones believe there is such thing?
I was raised by my parents who are Buddhists. My mom is probabily more into that than my dad. I was raised to be good and kind to others and that's a kind of person I am. but just like other people who were born in the same generation as me, are exposed to all kinds of relgion and often we questions ourselves. Even without religion, I still believe that any parents with good morals can teach their kids that too as long as their open-minded and tolerate all kinds of relgions out there.
Reply:How about raising them to make their own decisions?
Reply:I raise mine with both sides of the argument and then let them decide for themselves.
Reply:raising them to be good understanding people is whats important.
religion comes second, if not 3rd, 4th... etc. (or never)
i, personally, am going to raise my daughter with faith... if one day she comes to me and says she doesnt like it.. or wants to learn something else.. i will be more than willing to support her and even help her.
faith (and knowledge) is a journey.. how can one go further if they are stuck in one place?
Reply:Neither... you ignore it until they ask. ... Then tell the truth - there is *no* evidence for any of humanity's Gods. None at all. Mention that people do in fact believe: Gods, gnomes...
Teach morals, truth, kindness, justice, peace, values, etc.
Reply:I believe in teaching them that there are options and allowing them to decide for themselves.
Reply:The best thing is to raise kids who can THINK for themselves.
Reply:How about teaching them that they only have one life, here on earth, so not to waste it waiting for death?
Reply:Just exactly what kind of security are you offering a kid by teaching him that there is a God? Is this a variation of the "better safe than sorry" argument?
Reply:I think it's important to teach them about all religions and educate them in science and other subjects and let them make their own decision as to what they believe, but to raise them to think only one religion is right and others are going to hell is abuse.
Reply:How about raising them with enough sense to make up their own minds.
Reply:let them decide for themselves then accept the decision.
Reply:Raising them to be educated enough to have a mind of their own.
Reply:Neither. Leave superstition out of it %26amp; just raise them to be good people, instead.
Reply:I didn't teach them anything, and when they got older they saw how phony religion is.
Raise them without god, they will live a much better, fuller life.
Reply:Well, this is a very difficult question. First off, I am a Christian myself. My experiences with church have been both good and bad, but it has instilled in me a foundation of morals and ethics. My personal opinion is that it is always good to raise your kids with God in their lives. It will help them understand hardships in their youth. It will help them develop an idea of existentialism.
Reply:Raise kids to be able to make a sound decision on their own- and let them come to that decision themselves- then back it up by supporting their choice (whether you agree with it or not). This will teach them to be confident in their choices and independent in thought.
Reply:raising them to know god,and support them in whatever religon they choose
Reply:Why don't you try just raising them by the golden rule...suggesting that living by "good" is as important as living by "God" - you may even want to interchange the two.
Reply:I raise my children with God in mind and within my and my husbands faith. They are free when they are adults to make up there own minds as i did. I don't take my children to church as there are no churches in my faith. I raise my children not only to know about my faith but of all other faiths. I teach them the differences in those beliefs and when they are adults I'm sure they will appreciate the openness i raised them with as did my parents me.
Scottish Muslim Woman!
Reply:i think you need to evaluate yourself? have you ever had an experience with god? you need to pray and earnestly seek god with all your heart and if you do this and still believe there is noo god then dont tell your kids you dont believe. let them decide.
Reply:One of the best reasons i can think of to bringing children to church is to help instill good values (sharing, loving, communication etc...).
however, I think it is important to teach children that many (most) people believe in a form of God. Educate them on what different religions teach and believe, yet also let them know that they can make up their own minds as they get older - and that it is okay to change their mind.
These are questions that we cannot know the answers to - at least not in this life - so it is normal to doubt, to question, or to not believe.
Reply:teach them right from wrong, and let them decide when they get old enough. I've seen both sides and this is what is working for me. My kids know about god, but ar not forced to worship. They will choose, when they are ready.
Reply:Raise your kids to Believe in God!!!
Grapple No Longer! He does exsist!
And check out these scientific articles on raising kids in the church...
Reply:Are You Teaching Your Children?
“These words that I am commanding you . . . you must inculcate them in your son.”—Deuteronomy 6:6, 7.
ARE you sincerely interested in seeing your children grow up to be honest, upright persons who love God and their fellowman? No doubt this is one of your keenest desires. But do you realize that whether this desire comes true or not depends largely upon how you teach them? This is true. And it is especially true now when there are so many pressures upon young people to turn to sexual immorality, drug abuse and other forms of delinquency. That is why teaching your children is one of the most important activities you parents will ever perform in life. Do you consider it that important? Do you know what can happen, and is actually happening in families where parents have failed to maintain regular and free communication with their children?
Recently a popular magazine told about a family in Long Island, New York, in which there was a breakdown in the lines of communication. The boy developed periods of moodiness, silence and belligerence. Eventually he began taking drugs. The parents found out, but were unable really to discuss the matter with him. Instead, there were only angry arguments, and the boy flouted his parents’ orders to stop using drugs. In many other families in the parents’ circle of friends, the children were also drug users. In fact, a district attorney estimated that three quarters of the youths in the county had experimented with marijuana and other drugs!
In this particular family, conditions deteriorated to the point where the father would yell at his son, and his son would yell back and even threaten his parents. Finally, on Sunday afternoon, February 27, 1972, when under the influence of drugs, the boy came at his father with a steak knife. The father drew the gun he was carrying for protection and fired into his son’s heart. Asked later why he aimed to kill, the father said: “All I could think of was that if I only wounded the boy, he would come back and kill Carol [his mother] and me. There had been so many threats.” How tragic!—Life, May 5, 1972.
It is clear that a vital need exists for parents to take a loving interest in teaching their children and in always keeping open the lines of free and uninhibited communication! The Bible shows that the time to begin working on this is when the children are very young, even from infancy. (2 Timothy 3:14, 15) Then efforts need to be continued day in and day out, year after year, from infancy right up through the teen-age years. There can be no letup in the program of teaching. If children are to receive the guidance they so much need, parents must continually work to maintain a relationship that will encourage their children to talk freely with them and to confide in them.
Small children are full of wonder. A butterfly, a bird, a flower, a blade of grass, the sky, a star—all such things intrigue them. What wonderful opportunities this gives us to speak of the Creator and of our reasons for being thankful to him.
Rearing Your Children to Love Jehovah
“My son, if your heart has become wise, my heart will rejoice, even mine.”—Proverbs 23:15.
WHAT a joy it is to watch little children grow up and become mature servants of God! Step-by-step they develop curiosity, absorb knowledge, gain ability, side with Christian truth, develop maturity, dedicate themselves to God and become his faithful servants. If you are a parent, how can you help your children along this fine road? Obviously this takes effort.
Start at an early age before it becomes too complicated, too difficult to inculcate, or even just too late.
Reply:belief in God, teach them the word of God, especially the Gospels, guide them to learn about Jesus and what he did for them.
Then He said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing." John 20:27
Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." John 20:29
Reply:It's better to raise children to believe that there is a God, simply coz of the fact that there IS a God!!!
Reply:I feel that teaching them is better.... the hope and peace we find in Jesus Christ is better than anything that this world offers
Reply:By all means keep raising your kids to believe their is a God. Because God is alive and truly real.
Reply:i think it is better to believe in something, than to not believe in anything.
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