Religion or no religion? [Spirituality & Religion]
What are your thoughts on children being nurtured and brought up to follow a religion?
Montivagant · 41-45, M
I was brought up going to church and following Christianity. For me, it wasn't ideal. I didn't learn to think for myself or to ask questions. I did question things to a certain level but I readily accepted answers that were given, even when they didn't make much sense to me. I was never forced to believe anything but just indoctrinated to a degree that I couldn't see outside of the view I had grown up with. As for raising my own children, I'm teaching them about religions in a factual way, ie, this is what Christians believe, this is what Muslims believe etc. not trying to steer them in any direction. Interestingly they both believe in a higher power that they call god.
I have come to a place where I believe in god as a higher power but I don't believe he/she chooses to influence anything in this world very often. If at all. I do think we are spiritual beings. But I'm still exploring what I believe so it changes as I learn.
I have come to a place where I believe in god as a higher power but I don't believe he/she chooses to influence anything in this world very often. If at all. I do think we are spiritual beings. But I'm still exploring what I believe so it changes as I learn.
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Montivagant · 41-45, M
@Fernie in which case I should have used a different word, what I meant was is subtley became my world view over the years just by being exposed to it. no one was forcing me to attend church, if I had said flat out I won't go then I could have stayed home. But I didn't know anything else. Forced Implies there was some force involved but there wasn't.
Montivagant · 41-45, M
Starcrossed · 41-45, F
longhairedcougar · 51-55, F
bijouxbroussard · F
@Sicarium of course, tribalism is not limited to religions.
sighmeupforthat · 46-50, M
deenaljc · F
@sighmeupforthat Do you think there are any explanations for this?
sighmeupforthat · 46-50, M
@deenaljc many people like to reach out and explore, they should be granted that it's ok and it's not a problem if they wish to do that for themselves.
that's IF they want to.
in my case, it seemed all the same foundation or guidance.
w/the taoism it was a strange journey whatnot that lead me right back to the start of why i did all this then i felt....
i should go to the next thing.
i still feel wonderfully satisfied. (for now)
that's IF they want to.
in my case, it seemed all the same foundation or guidance.
w/the taoism it was a strange journey whatnot that lead me right back to the start of why i did all this then i felt....
i should go to the next thing.
i still feel wonderfully satisfied. (for now)
deenaljc · F
@sighmeupforthat thank you for your insight 😊
GreenGoddess · F
deenaljc · F
I agree with the cultural aspect, that is a major driving force too. I just feel as though may fundamentalists act on what they believe is a will of God. They are brainwashed into a spiral of religious/cultural ideolgy.
I won't get into views of America as I'm not fully aware of the politics
I won't get into views of America as I'm not fully aware of the politics
All three of the largest recent mass shootings involved men who never had religious exposure ... one was heavily atheist ... he hated religion
The other two were just agnostic.
Evidence does not lead back to evil rooting out of religion ... it just is not happening.
The other two were just agnostic.
Evidence does not lead back to evil rooting out of religion ... it just is not happening.
Sicarium · 46-50, M
The specific religion or lack of religion doesn't matter. What matters is if you're raising your kids with decent values that are compatible with your society and help your society to advance.
Sadly, that is happening less and less now. We raise snowflakes and the mentally weak, people who can't balance a budget, people who believe they're owed simply because they exist. All of this drains society.
Sadly, that is happening less and less now. We raise snowflakes and the mentally weak, people who can't balance a budget, people who believe they're owed simply because they exist. All of this drains society.
Butterflykisses24 · 51-55, F
Classified · M
ozgirl512 · 31-35, F
LucyCan · 26-30, F
Parents have chosen wrong at least 99% of the time when subjecting kids to their religion. And kids aren't stupid. Many believe 'fairy tales for adults' are being forced on them and feel that their parents should no longer be trusted and respected. This needs to end.
hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M
Depends on the religion. I would not want any child to be raised muslim or secular humanist or buddhist or hindu or mormon or JW. However Christianity elevates the child to think beyond him/herself.
Starcrossed · 41-45, F
Wow. Just. Wow.
Starcrossed · 41-45, F
@hippyjoe1955 they don't work for the betterment of the child...really?
So you think it's better when the Christian 2nd grader next door shames my 1st grader for us not following their doctrine and believing as they do? She's better for telling my daughter she will not go to a heaven if she doesn't believe in Jesus? It's better for my co-worker's 3 yr old to exclaim "I can't wait until I'm dead so I can meet Grandma!"
Is it not better when I teach my child to develop her own sense of morality and personal accountability in how she treats others? Or that others beleive this or that and why and that it's okay?
Frankly, I - somewhere between polytheism and agnosticism, teach my child how to be a better human and educate her on religious history theology and theory FAR more than her friends parents do / church does.
Maybe you could spend more time with Muslims, Humanists and Buddhists - they're some pretty amazing folk. Some of the most charitable "Jesus like" people I've met were Buddhists and Athiests.
So you think it's better when the Christian 2nd grader next door shames my 1st grader for us not following their doctrine and believing as they do? She's better for telling my daughter she will not go to a heaven if she doesn't believe in Jesus? It's better for my co-worker's 3 yr old to exclaim "I can't wait until I'm dead so I can meet Grandma!"
Is it not better when I teach my child to develop her own sense of morality and personal accountability in how she treats others? Or that others beleive this or that and why and that it's okay?
Frankly, I - somewhere between polytheism and agnosticism, teach my child how to be a better human and educate her on religious history theology and theory FAR more than her friends parents do / church does.
Maybe you could spend more time with Muslims, Humanists and Buddhists - they're some pretty amazing folk. Some of the most charitable "Jesus like" people I've met were Buddhists and Athiests.
deenaljc · F
Well said!! @Starcrossed
There isn't a better morality than found in the New Testament for a child.
The Ten Commandments have incredibly firm guidelines also.
The Ten Commandments have incredibly firm guidelines also.
@deenaljc It is an excellent source of morality but even some adults find understanding it a challenge.
lovelybells09 · 31-35, F
ImperialAerosolKidFromEP · 51-55, M
SW-User
I am not a fan of this kind of thinking.
deenaljc · F
What kind of thinking? @SW-User
SW-User
@deenaljc On being brought up to follow religion!
deenaljc · F
@SW-User ohh right! I thought you meant you wasn't a fan of the question itself.
What are your thoughts on this then? :)
What are your thoughts on this then? :)
Carver · 31-35, F
I don't agree with it.
MartinTheFirst · 26-30, M
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