Do you think that Christian (or other) parents should teach their kids that particular religion as truth? I've heard arguments for both sides and I was just wondering what y'all thought...Love, Jen.

Absolutely I think parents should teach their children that their religion is true. If the parents believe it, then in their eyes it is the truth, so what's wrong with teaching their children the truth?

I think I was lucky because my parents and older siblings all have different religions so I got to have a slightly outcast view of them all. To me, it was nice understanding that so many different religions can exist for people you can't control caring about. It provided a sense of questioning and unalterability in me which I am ever grateful for. I personally would never side with any present religious nation... too many think that only the people that agree with will them get into heaven(how fun is that). I've always stuck with the notion that somebody elses idea of what and who is allowed in wouldn't be heaven to me anyways. I'm naturally rebellious... it's basically my biggest nightmare to end up living someone elses idea of how my life should be lived.

My dad is really big on my being Roman Catholic, but my mom encourages me to figure out what I belive in for myself.
If I ever have kids, I'll probably introduce them to my faith, but let them figure it out on their own.

-rito

No. My reason is that my (I am a Lutheran) church's pastor said that he cannot say whether God exists or not. That is where faith comes into play. He wanted me to make up my own mind.

When I was about 6 I asked my mum whether God exists. She said 'I don't know. What do you think?' I said 'I don't know either. I don't think so.'

That's about what I've thought ever since. My parents didn't try to push me into religion or out of it. My dad is pretty strongly atheist but I think he'd let me believe what I want. He says he respects people who find faith through their own experiences, but doesn't respect people who just blindly believe what they're told.

Bex

I agree with meowbark. Parents should not pressure their kids to learn one religion and shun others. A lot of my good frinds are from differnt religions, Mormon and Budist among them, and my parents are very negative against them. They say they'll drag me over to their side. But, again, I agree with meowbark. I'd like to learn what other religions think and practice, without being threatened by my parents.
Peace out!

mb, you still have to explain that one to me without terribly confusing me like last time, or with your damned mathmatic way how to make a perfect oval. you confuse me.

My parents aren't religous but they used to let me go to church with my friends family.

I think parents should avoid pushing religion on the innocent, once a child has reached their teen years, they can make informed decitions. Parents who push their religion on their children are more likely to have a rebble on their hands later.

When I was a child my grandma pushed me to be lutherin, now I clame Pagan-Scientific. (This is my own way of belief, it works for me.) It's not that I didn't like being Lutherin, just that I grew tiered of it. It failed to fulfill my needs and this does.

I'm not trying to push anyong to be Pagan or Scientific, just explain myself.

My Parents let me choose my religion, and I'll let my kids choose theirs.

Although I will teach them about Jesus and the Bible.

I think that with most religions it's nothing more than indoctrination. When a child is young, they're unable to critically evaluate the claims that many religions make.

"If you don't pray Jimmy, you shall burn in a lake of fire!"

I don't think most four year-olds would be able to apply logic and determine if they believe that statement, so they instead simply accept it as truth because they were told by their parents. Children should be taught to question anything that is presented to them as an absolute truth.