Raising a child up with your beliefs

[SeddyRocky]

Do you think is ok?

At some point a child is going to have some beliefs. It's ok if you provide yours as best example. In fact, it wouldn't be ok if you'd just allow your child to randomly absorb any beliefs it happen to stumble uppon.

Why not? (and most likely, it couldn't be completely random, pending on the norm in your society)

[Krzysiek K.]

Why not? (and most likely, it couldn't be completely random, pending on the norm in your society)

Let's say it's just playing with luck. You should at the very least give it good moral standards.

[Selenbrant]

Do you think is ok?
Im going to put my 2 cents in real quick.

Now, Heres how I see it. If me and my wife ever decide to have kids, then I will raise them up to be a Christian, and I will answer ANY questions they have about it. If they choose a different path, all I can do is love them, talk to them, and accept them. It has to be their choice, not mine, otherwise it is worthless anyways.

Now, you could say that there is no scientific evidence, however, in my view, due to MY personal convictions, it is more real than anything in the world. To me, it would be wrong NOT to raise them up, because them I would be responsible for them going to hell.

Discuss.

Its not reconcilable.

[SeddyRocky]

Why not? (and most likely, it couldn't be completely random, pending on the norm in your society)

Let's say it's just playing with luck. You should at the very least give it good moral standards.

Moral standards does not have to equal religion. I don't think it says anywhere in the Bible not to tear off innocent little bugs' wings, but it is a moral lesson that many parents teach their children. OF course, many moral values may stem from religion without actually being affiliated with them anymore.

[Krzysiek K.]

Moral standards does not have to equal religion. I don't think it says anywhere in the Bible not to tear off innocent little bugs' wings, but it is a moral lesson that many parents teach their children. OF course, many moral values may stem from religion without actually being affiliated with them anymore.

For me, moral standards qualify into "beliefs" category. But strictly speaking about religion - your child sooner or later will have some beliefs in this area, so if you have strong beliefs yourself, it will be better for the family if your child doesn't have contradicting beliefs.

[BluePriest]

so if you have strong beliefs yourself, it will be better for the family if your child doesn't have contradicting beliefs.

Thats really sad too. Its sad because its true. the thing that bugs me most about Christians is how some of them are so willing to ex communicate a family member because their belief is different. Thats just wrong, and not biblical at all.

[Innominate]

so if you have strong beliefs yourself, it will be better for the family if your child doesn't have contradicting beliefs.

Thats really sad too. Its sad because its true. the thing that bugs me most about Christians is how some of them are so willing to ex communicate a family member because their belief is different. Thats just wrong, and not biblical at all.

Here here! It works both ways too; atheists should be tolerant of their family members choosing to disagree, just like everybody else ought. Unfortunately, even us atheists are human (despite what some arrogant atheists and some fundamentalist theists would have you believe), and humans like to form groups. Besides killing people from other groups, forming groups is our favourite thing.

[SeddyRocky]

Moral standards does not have to equal religion. I don't think it says anywhere in the Bible not to tear off innocent little bugs' wings, but it is a moral lesson that many parents teach their children. OF course, many moral values may stem from religion without actually being affiliated with them anymore.

For me, moral standards qualify into "beliefs" category. But strictly speaking about religion - your child sooner or later will have some beliefs in this area, so if you have strong beliefs yourself, it will be better for the family if your child doesn't have contradicting beliefs.

Not really... My family consists of 1 atheist, 1 agnostic and 2 evangelic-lutherans. And beliefs are not a problem and never have been. Respect, discussion, tolerance and acceptance has nullified any conflict. (I'm not saying this to brag, only using it as a personal example). Plus hey: Diversity is not a bad thing in my book.

[Hamish MacWolf]

To go Voltaire here: I personally find it a bit sad when little kids are already scared of hell, as they most likely won't be at the crossroad for quite a while and there are better things to do in life than going around being afraid (of being inadequate, a sinner/sinning, etc). But on the other hand, I don't see how taking your children to church and Sunday school (assuming the Christian model here) cannot be seen a thing verified in reality. If you have a young child and do not wish to sacrifice your beliefs, you HAVE to bring it to church. And Sunday school is an excellent way to get a tiny bit of time off and getting some help with the raising of ones child. The services are also free (donations and Scientology excluded, I believe) and are social occasions. So they are not at all without benefit, even from a worldly perspective.

I concur with the sadness of deliberately placing fear in the heart of an innocent. However, if hell, fire and brimstone is the first lesson in Christian education, then I would suggest the syllabus needs an overhaul. Also, the teacher who teaches thus actually seems to have some fairly serious underlying issues of their own, and a sadly mis-prioritised understanding of their faith.

As to the original question, if you have a child whom you love, you want to provide the best for them. The best home, the best food, the best education, and the best advice. You would impart your beliefs to them because you have taken them on board yourself, believing, to the extent of your own knowledge, them to be the closest you could get to a universal truth. If you didn't pass on your beliefs, it either means you are protecting your child from something which you know is inherently flawed, and therefore should discard for yourself, or else you are withholding something good to keep yourself, which may bring the depth of your parental love into question.

Personally, this is something I have actually put into practice. I have three young children, and I am doing my very best to pass on what I have learned. Because I love them.

[johannhowitzer]

I concur with the sadness of deliberately placing fear in the heart of an innocent. However, if hell, fire and brimstone is the first lesson in Christian education, then I would suggest the syllabus needs an overhaul. Also, the teacher who teaches thus actually seems to have some fairly serious underlying issues of their own, and a sadly mis-prioritised understanding of their faith.

The Bible does not talk about the concept of hell much.  This, naturally, leaves the door wide open for imagination...

[Innominate]

I concur with the sadness of deliberately placing fear in the heart of an innocent. However, if hell, fire and brimstone is the first lesson in Christian education, then I would suggest the syllabus needs an overhaul. Also, the teacher who teaches thus actually seems to have some fairly serious underlying issues of their own, and a sadly mis-prioritised understanding of their faith.

The Bible does not talk about the concept of hell much.  This, naturally, leaves the door wide open for imagination...

Yep. It only has (in the NT) a few dozen references spread throughout, and that's peanuts compared to how much the NT says about forgiveness and the like. What it does say about hell is pretty disturbing though; eternal fire, weeping and gnashing (grinding) of teeth, eternal darkness, people begging for a drop of water to cool the tip of their tongue, etc.

I actually don't mind if you teach the good parts of Christianity. It's teaching the hell part to a young, impressionable child that I find reprehensible.

[Hamish MacWolf]

I concur with the sadness of deliberately placing fear in the heart of an innocent. However, if hell, fire and brimstone is the first lesson in Christian education, then I would suggest the syllabus needs an overhaul. Also, the teacher who teaches thus actually seems to have some fairly serious underlying issues of their own, and a sadly mis-prioritised understanding of their faith.

The Bible does not talk about the concept of hell much.  This, naturally, leaves the door wide open for imagination...

Yep. It only has (in the NT) a few dozen references spread throughout, and that's peanuts compared to how much the NT says about forgiveness and the like. What it does say about hell is pretty disturbing though; eternal fire, weeping and gnashing (grinding) of teeth, eternal darkness, people begging for a drop of water to cool the tip of their tongue, etc.

I actually don't mind if you teach the good parts of Christianity. It's teaching the hell part to a young, impressionable child that I find reprehensible.

Not to mention the constant looping of "Venga Bus" and "Barbie Girl", surrounded by decor designed by Christian Audigier.

Oh, the humanity!