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Religious Beliefs in children

lexiw by lexiw Young Parent(December 2006) (rank 9th)

I don't believe that any religion should be forced on to children. I let my children decide their father and his family and most of my family are catholics and as such they all wanted the girls baptised catholics. I was baptised a catholic myself as a child but I

found another religion that I believe is better suited to my way of thinking. I am a pagan. I practise wiccan beliefs. Now alot of people think that wicca is a cult thing or satanism or some other thing devoted to devil worship but it is not. I teach my children to be intune with the earth and all things natural where possible. This dosn't mean that I am fanatical or that my children are forced to believe this I just think that why shouldn't I teach my children such a beautiful set of beliefs.

Why is it that  most christians have to force their belifs on others. My children are already turning away from catholisism because of the contridictions that they can see.

My advice is that even if you believe strongly in a certain religion we don't have to push this on our children . There are so many religions and belief systems out there that our kids really should be given all sorts of information so that they can chose for themselves.

Any religion that my girls have asked about I get on the internet and find out for them the questions that they have asked. I want them to have the choices available so they get to chose for themselves. Our kids are put under to much pressure about to many things theses days My girls know that they can chose a belief system if they want or they can just ignore it all together. I will just keep giving them the information they want and let them decide for themselves with no pressure.

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MadMel
3.60 (Good) | March 2007 | MadMel
religion
My ex and his family are christian and tried for a long time to push it on me and the kids. I blatently refused. My nanna is also very religious and my grandad was a reverend at the presbyterian church. I however still refuse to take my kids to church or tell them about god and jesus and the bible. I think if they want to learn about it they will ask me when they are old enough. If they come to me and ask to go to church i will take them. If they dont want to go i wont make them. If you push something on a child, they will rebel...


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monyq83
5.00 (Excellent) | March 2007 | monyq83
And as for being baptised,
I was baptised anglican. But we are not baptising our kids as I dont belive in one particular religion. To be honest I dont even believe in God. If anything, once our kids are old enough to appreciate it, we might hold a naming day, to celebrate the person that they are, not the religion they represent, but thats not for a long way off yet, as our youngest baby isnt old enough to appreciate it.


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monyq83
3.60 (Good) | March 2007 | monyq83
Beautiful advice
Youre right, paganism is a beautiful religion and I agree I think we should let our kids choose their own religion without shoving it down their throats.


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madchanny
5.00 (Excellent) | December 2006 | madchanny
religious beliefs and children
i was christened Anglican, but my younger sister was given a 'name day' i know its not really a religion but it gives her the chance to see what is out there and choose what suits her best.
As for myself, honestly i dont know the Anglican background or ways, is it that different to catholic?, i dont go to church but i have my beliefs (hey  we all  gotta  end  up somewhere right?) 
anywayz i gotta stop blabbing and say, i may do, what my mother has done with my sis and give my son a name day celebration, then let him decide when he is older which religion to go with.


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changedbaby
4.41 (Good) | December 2006 | changedbaby
Start thinking SPIRITUALITY not RELIGION!!!

See the advice about caring for our children's spirituality, and moving away from religion.

http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2970/Taking-care-of-our-Childrens-Spirituality/

Just as you cannot nurture any living thing by "just leaving it" so it is with child's spirits.

 



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changedbaby
4.24 (Good) | December 2006 | changedbaby
Religion is often revolting

One thing we need to do is to distinguish between RELIGION and SPIRITUALITY.... religion forced on children is damaging. Informally, religion is a public organisation of rituals and traditions (often designed without children in mind); religion often focus upon the intellectual arguments for or against God (often totally excluding children and totally failing to engage participants in a relationship with that which is preached); religion often ignores to do that which it teaches (often confusing children who are told about 'love' and experience everything but family and love - at least in the church). Religion is often revolting. No religion should ever be forced on children. Unfortunately, so many people - evenin the church - fail to understand the harm of what they are doing. My precise ponit about Sunday SChool etc. Religion does harm children and ultimately drives people away fom the church.

And we as parents are to do everything we can to help the child's spirituality.... of course there is very little written about just how we are to do that; what is the difference between a Christian spirituality and a pagan spirituality? What should a parent who cares about the spiritual life of their child do - or not do; how does our daily life impact a child's spirituality.? These are some of the questions we need to start asking, but are often failing to do.

Whether we are a pagan longing for our child to "choose for themselves"; or a devout Catholic hoping that our child may one day "follow in our footsteps" we have a responsibility to recognise (a) that which kills a child's spirit and (b) that which nurtures it and helps.



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      lexiw
4.55 (Excellent) | December 2006 | lexiw
Religion is often revolting
This is exactly what I am trying to get across you have said it so much better thank you.


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nell18-3
5.00 (Excellent) | December 2006 | nell18-3
I agree
I too am a Christian and I don't force my beliefs on anyone either, I do encourage my children and they happily attend church with me, but when they are of an age to make up their own minds I will support them in that too. I believe in God and I believe ONE of the greatest gifts he gave us as humans was a Free Will. So we are all entitled to make up our own minds, children too. that is what free will is all about. My children are also exposed to all religions but they know and respect the faith that I have. After all deciding to be a Christian was my free will too.


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exquisite-flower
4.43 (Good) | December 2006 | exquisite-flower
I agree
I am a christian, but I believe what I believe and I prefer others to keep their beliefs also.  If someone asks me a question then I will share my opinion or my belief.

My daughter is exposed to many religions through various friendships I have and along with the other things I encourage her to explore I will encourage that. I am not anti anyone and i will not come against anyone, however I will also not be preached at - even if you are a muslim trying to convert me to christianity!  Go figure. 

My beliefs are based on my life experience not on some subscription to what i am told to believe by some denomination. 
Peace
EF.x 


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      pcgames
4.17 (Good) | December 2006 | pcgames
It's not correct
When you talk about religion they all came from the middle east Judaism,Christianity and Islam.As the prophets and messengers came and went the people of the time who believed followed that prophet or messenger and so we have the three main religions of today . They are all considered people of the book and all of mankind does have the freewill to choose his or her path and as long as you aren/t lying to yoursself or your children they will hopefully find the true one for them. Religion is not for everyone but try not to stray from being humane too much off the beaten path as that is why our children are being less obedient and starting to think that they are the boss and sadly our prisons and youth detention centres are full. So find what is right not what you think is easy or you don't have to do anything we are shaping the children of the future after all. So good luck to all you parents out there and happy parenting.


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           selly
3.74 (Good) | December 2006 | selly
It's not correct
Not all religions came from the middle east. Look at the authors religion! Shes a pagan. And paganism is a religion as much as any. And it didn't come from the middle east. Paganism started all over the world, in many different forms. From Wiccans, celt, druids, shamans, witch doctors. It is the longest religion in the world, its started alot earlier than any other. And its been proved.


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                pcgames
2.47 (Poor) | February 2007 | pcgames
It's not correct
Could you please define pagan and yes it did come from the holy land because the origin of the word is arabic because what did they call anyone who didn't believe in god. They called them transgressors,pagans and disbelievers.


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                     pagan-mum-of-three
5.00 (Excellent) | March 2007 | pagan-mum-of-three
It's not correct
     PAGANISM        The origin of the word Pagan came from the Latin word Paganus, Which means country dweller. When cities were Christianized the people in the country continued to practice the old religions. The word Pagan soon took on the meaning "Those folks out there in the sticks who still do all that old fashioned stuff". Later it came to mean any member of an indigenous folk or tribal religion or anyone who was not "of the Book" (i.e., the Koran, Bible, Torah). Pagan religions originated in a time when people lived close to the land. Pagan theologies reflect an awareness of nature with its cycles of the seasons, as well as the cycles and seasons of human life. Such awareness is a common thread among Pagans today. Few modern Pagans can fully know or follow how our ancestors worshiped. Instead we invent and reinvent our religious practices, and even our beliefs, as we determine how they resonate with our contemporary lives. Some people prefer to use the word "Neopagan" to describe this form of modern Paganism. Some Pagans believe in the Goddesses and Gods of the old religions and others do not. Many Pagans understand deity as immanent, in everything, and believe revelation is found in nature instead of written in scriptures. Some believe in an afterlife and that their actions in this life will determine their place in the next. Others believe only in this Life and that their actions here are all that matters. Still, others believe in reincarnation. Some Pagans believe in an active Spirit World while others do not. Because Paganism is a non-creedal religion such divergent beliefs can exist together under one religious name -- just like in Unitarian Universalism!   Paganism is a spiritual way of life which has its roots in the ancient nature religions of the world. It is principally rooted in the old religions of Europe, though some adherents also find great worth in the indigenous beliefs of other countries. Such belief in the sacredness of all things can be found world-wide. Pagans see this as their heritage, and retain the beliefs and values of their ancestors in forms adapted to suit modern life. We celebrate the sanctity of Nature, revering the Divine in all things; the vast, unknowable spirit that runs through the universe, both seen and unseen.        What is Paganism?      Paganism is not new or unusual in our modern life. For many people it exists more as an active religion than other religions of our popular culture. Halloween Costumes and Treats, Christmas Trees and Mistletoe, Easter Bunnies and Eggs, Maypole Dances and Harvests, plus hundreds of other folk ways are Pagan practices. Modern-day Pagans seek to restore the religious context of these practices.   Merry meet, and Merry part and Merry meet again.   "Great Goddess, Lady of the Earth, Mother to us all. I welcome you to this place of power and offer thanks to you for what you have given me. I am a priestess of your path and I see with your eyes. You guide me in the lessons I must learn."         Blessed Be


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pagan-mum-of-three
3.92 (Good) | December 2006 | pagan-mum-of-three
Exactly!

I agree the choice should be up to the child. There is nothing worse than someone trying to ram Their religion down your throat.  My eldest daughter has been told that she can choose whatever she likes & we will still support her no matter what.

I have a sign on my front door - 'Bible Bashing Door Knockers Are Not Welcomed - It's Called Harassment.' Then another sign that says 'Born Again Pagan' Ha, I hate them doorknockers....



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      lexiw
2.85 (Average) | December 2006 | lexiw
Exactly!
So do I !!!!!!


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           monyq83
3.60 (Good) | March 2007 | monyq83
Exactly!

Where can I get me one of those lol



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                pagan-mum-of-three
5.00 (Excellent) | March 2007 | pagan-mum-of-three
Exactly!

I printed mine out on my printer, then laminated it. Easy!!!

I even added a pretty picture!!! (A pentagram!!!)



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ShellyT
5.00 (Excellent) | December 2006 | ShellyT
Well done
I totally agree with you there. I won't be pushing religion on my child either, and will be her choice in what she chooses. Great to read. Well said.


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