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ok i have a question, i have been wondering this since my mother made a comet to me about children and religion,

how young should a child be before they are intrudeced to any kind of religion? or shown how to do ceritan things that has to do with wicca, vamprisims, moon, voddo, or anything in general

me i think from birth is ok to learn what ever the family practices, but if they show a intrest in something else i think it should be provieded for them with in reason

teach them early your beleifs and traditions and if they have interest in another wait, till at least thirteen so they will be old enough to realize their actions, thoughts, beleifs.and choices

I agree.. you can teach since the first days... and also the baby will learn looking at the family, your actions will give them teachings too...

I believe that it's different with each child. Soon they will show an interest in the religion...but sometimes it's good to start with them early. That way they will be more interested when they get older.

when a child can use his imagination then he/she is aware enough

I believe that a child will eventually find their true following whether they learn growing up with family religion or traditions, they may eventually break away and find what may suit them better.

Show the basics from when they are little. But let them be till that are old enough to see what they want to do.

My husband and I both believe that children should be taught family traditions, but religion should be left out until they're old enough to make up their own minds.

We're both absolutely against pressing religion onto others, which includes children. Instead, they should be raised religion-free, taught morals, respect, manners, etc. Then, when they're old enough, they should be exposed to many different religions so they can determine what is right for them, if any of them are. By that time, they'll know what they believe, and won't have any doubts nor regrets about being pressured into anything.

If they're raised in a certain religion, they're not forming their own beliefs and thoughts...They're "believing" what they're told to believe.

I completely agree Sykick.

When I was a child I believed in God because my teachers and some of my family told me it was true. It was ony when I was od enought o really think for myself that I became an atheist.

I personally think that influencing those under 12 into religious paths is brainwashing.

i think it is true that you should introduce religion at birth and keep teaching but if they want to explore their own possibilities then by all means let them but i think its wrong to baptize a child unless it is of their own choice when they are old enough to make that choice i myself have been baptized at birth and did not wish it so and now and forever hate it

I think they should decide for themselfes.If taught at an early age it's not really thier choose .It would be a learned religion instead of a choosing one..

i agree with skykick i think her opion has a very valed point, i wont force a baptims on a child , but i will show them what is there, i no my husband family thinks im crazy i practice many things, and i have christian, and wiccian, pagain stuff all over my house

I think religion and lifestyle practices should be taught to the child like any science or history, like a study of the world. The truth just happens to be that we all claim some sort of belief or anti-belief system, and most of us tend to think of someone else as wrong, or at least us as more right. I think it's important not to taint the child with ideas like what's "right or wrong," but instead, what works and what doesn't.

For example, killing people isn't unwise because it's wrong - calling something wrong is a moral judgement that depending on your religion could theoretically change (in principle, by theory). Instead, it is unwise because it does not work - you kill somebody, you highly increase your own chances of getting killed, plus people don't like you as much.

By explaining "morals" or basic lifestyle decisions in context of logic and common sense, you don't have to use your religion (or anyone elses) as a carpet to sweep deep philisophical issues under. Instead, then, you can from birth, with your child (ren) look at as many religions as possible objectively, and see what works or doesn't, and then as they get older and ask why you "chose" your religion, then you can start discussing personal preferences, and how those influence religious decision.

That way, you teach your child as much as possible without one way or the other trying to influence their ideas of right or wrong (at least as little as we can understandably) and you also leave the question of when to answer tough questions up to them.

I find your theory on objectivity in religion fascinating, but surely to a child, if you where to say "christianity doesn't work, but Buddhism does" then you would still be inflicting what coud in a sence be considered morality- a young child could think "my parents said Christianity doesn't work, and they are right" not because they see that you are right from their own perspective, but because mummy and daddy said so.

An oder child may have no opinion on a subject, and have one forced on them by a parent, even if it is that one thing may not work.

Children are very impressionable, and I think it takes a certain amount of life experience and a loss of the early egocentrism and parent worship to truly make choice objective.

In my case, religion was forced on me by my parents. They felt the need to drill it in to my head from the time I was able to talk from what I can remember.

I chose to wait until my children were a bit older and already in school to talk to them about religion and I let them choose what it is that they wanted to follow or believe and I support their decisions 100%

I think that is the best way to go about it, and definately wise parenting. Schools can also be very influential- my school was Church of England, but I only went there because it was the best school in the area.

I think subtley exposing them to your own religion from birth is okay, but only go deeper once they show an interest in a certain practice (around the age of 12 or 13).

i use to think that it would be best to start from birth... but as i seen people who was brought up in *christianity* or what have you , some seem kind of messed up mentally, or they didnt want it growing up there was something that they didnt like ect ect id say no younger then 10,

I agree with teaching them from birth. Nothing wrong with teaching them what your beliefs and faith is. They can always decide on there own which path is for them. I have been teaching my boys my beliefs and faith. but I also teach them other peoples beliefs and faiths. We enjoy going to other churches sometimes to see how different we all believe. Its fun and educational also. They will have NO ignorance for anyone else.

I bring my son to church with me. He's also encouraged to learn about anything and everything he can. I am in a very open-minded church. When he is older (he's only 7) he can make whatever choice he feels is best for him. Even now, I always ask him if he enjoys it and if he REALLY wants to go. He loves it. And until he doesn't... he will continue to go with me.

As a Theology student, I teach him everything I learn. I am also teach him Reiki as a Reiki Master (even though he's been doing this forever without a 'name').

It can only help to let him read on his own- because even right here in this VR forum, Theological discussions spark up all the time. My son will not grow up not having heard of any of this. Books are his friends, all of them. He doesn't have to subscribe to any of the beliefs, but he'll have the info.

yeah,
i no growing up my mom and grandpa were roman catholic, but my mom allowed me at age 9 and up when i showed a interest in other religio s allowed me to investaget, and aloowed me to be baptisezed when i was 10, on my own chocie then when i was 18 i made it publice to friends and family i studied wicca and other things,

i think on day when i have kids ill probly teach them be good to others, and stuff like that, but i was lucky to have understanding family, and hope when i have kids i ca be that understanding

I personally dont think any child should have religion forced on them like some comments says if they take an interest then tell them about it but never force it on them. I know in skools its a required part of the curriculum but i dont belive in he teachings of skool but dont discourage my kids from learnind about it they will find their own way as i did

Well, if everyone goes to church on Sundays, bring the young'un along. If not everyone goes, that leaves more freedom for them to be left at home if they display disinterest. In the home life, religion will become as much as part of their life as it already is in yours simply because kids WILL ask questions and imitate.

My look on things would have to be that they are old enough to be strict about it( if that's how you wanna go about it) or at least old enough to comprehend what they are being taught. Or let them get to a certain age like 10 - 13 and give them a choice explain different ones to them and have them choose what path they want to live.

personaly Im waiting to teach my daugheter, I want her to find on her own what she believes, if she show intrest down the road I will teach her what i know. I dont think its my place to tell someone what to think and believe.

from birth.the babies mind is like a sponge.he/she can basically learn anything from birth

i believe you can introduce them in tha treligion and let them grow and if they dicide to change their mind, let them

I don't believe that if you teach or show one relgion ... that a child would not have a choice... I did not chose the relgion I was shown as a child and our neighbors chose to be morman but had no exposure to it.

A child being indoctrinated into any kind of religion by their primary carer from birth doesn't mean that the child will continue in that religion when they are able to form their own decisions. It does give the carer peace of mind however.

it's a very interesting point - i know some pagans keep it from their children, and others try to explain it to them, but not push it. by contrast, most organised religions such as christianity, islam, judaism etc indoctrinate the child as early as possible, and teach their faith as the only true path. very few pagans take that approach, but then pagans are still subject to worldwide persecution.

well as they are growing up, they are learning about things about the world or the famiy. But i dont think they understand until they are about 12 or 13. if they show an interest in something different, then let them learn more of it.

how young are children to indoctrate them in christianity? i have been a wiccan all my life and never misssed the church.

For my child to really understand who I am- is to know what I know. I let him in- he has his own free will to take it from there.

Personally I learned about vampires and things when i was about 3 or 4 and i have come to learn that it is ok to let children know what is out there just so it does not scare them.
Then u let the child make up its mind on what he wants to grasp and do not judge the child for it

Well for me... I am not young enough to know everything ;)

I do not think there is a right or wrong answer to this....personal choice

I think as long as they're old enough to be able to understand what is being taught to them, then any age is fine.

I think as long as they're old enough to be able to understand what is being taught to them, then any age is fine.

I don't necessarily agree with teaching or having any kind of religion. But to answer your question, I'd say start when they first begin to understand concepts and have the capacity to understand what you are trying to teach them. Starting from the first days that they are born is pretty useless since they have no idea what the hells going on, they only first discover they have hands at like 8 months haha.

well from birth its better to teach them when they understand everything

I read some where that you should expose children to many diffrent religions when they are growing up so that when they are old enough they can choose what is best for them. When it comes to age i do not know what age is the right age to teach children about any religion but i guess from birth would be alright as long ass you dont force feed them one religion...

I don't believe in influencing my child, when it is born, on any kind of religion.

If he/she wants to go to church, I will take them. If he/she wants to know about a certain religion, I will look up and explain the beliefs or find someone who knows them well enough to explain them. But other than that, I don't care to push any religion on them. We are debating about what we are celebrating in our home when the holidays come along. We haven't decided yet. The father practices wicca and I am indecisive on religion, so we are thinking about it. But Christmas is celebrated everywhere and is considered normal. Winter Solstice and Christmas share many of the same traditions when it comes down to the basic symbols used to celebrate. So we might come to a compromise there.

My parents never influenced me on religion. I wanted to go to Sunday school and got my wish. I didn't like it so I wasn't forced to go back. I didn't get interested in religion again until I was about 16 or 17 years old and just studied them for my own knowledge. I rather like wicca and other pagan religions but I still haven't decided what feels right to me. The more I think about religion, the more I become confused about my own beliefs. I don't want my child confused at a very young age about their beliefs. It's bad enough being an adult and being confused about it and second guessing all the time.

I believe that you should allow your child to know your beliefs at an early age. Let them grow up in a spiritual mind set, but you must let that child test its own beliefs and find their path and support it no matter what they intend to believe

i think that's really up to the parent to judge and how intelegent the child is, i think with wicca the ealiar the better because in order to devlope their power they need an open mind but on the other hand they will b made fun of in their earily years whitch will drive them away from the religion so really it's really up to the parent

There is really no wrong answer to this question. But I do think that any one person is eventually going to find their own way when they hit a certain age, and the only thing we can do as parents is be behind our children 100% with whatever they choose in life.

as i started saying in my other post above. now i know this woman and she was raised with 3 different religions mom,dad,uncle, now as she is older she is so messed up she dont know what she is or wants *religion* she sais she wishes that she didnt know of different religions as she is very uncomfortable.. as for wiccans i feel as a early age for children i feel that would be best for early learning for he/she can develope the strength and power

I think that there is no real age limit on when you should teach children about beliefs, but the freedom of what they want to believe should be something that is not looked down upon, for it is ultimately up to them on what belief system that they will wish to follow...

For me, I believe in educating my son on his roots...family traditions, family beliefs, moral guidelines that I myself believe in. I don't teach him in a manner that says "this is what you should believe" but rather,"this is one option out of many" I was raised in a Catholic/Baptist environment. I don't consider myself to be either. My son is 6. He has been given the opportunity to see how his grandparents believe, how I believe, how his uncles believe. He is interested in oriental beliefs because of the martial arts training he is in. I encourage him to ask questions, we get books, we look online. I teach him to educate himself about as many different viewpoints as possible so that when he is ready to make decisions, he doesn't make them ignorantly and in many instances we learn TOGETHER. I don't approach it from an "I know everything" standpoint. I approach it as "I don't know..lets find out."
I don't think you can put an age bracket on something like this. Children develop at different rates. I DO think that it would be irresponsible of me to not teach my son about religion in the general sense. It is out there. It's a major societal debate on so many levels. It's in media, neighbors, friends, you drive by churches, he will meet many different children in school who believe many different things. If YOU don't help them find information..then you leave the door open for someone else to do it. I would rather educate my child early than I would leave it to those who may try to stifle his open mind. I want him to make decisions for himself and to learn tolerance of others' beliefs early.

I think you should begin teaching your children as soon as they are able to understand.... perhaps 4 or 5.

I think you should wait till the child is old enough to choose but thats just my therory

i believe you should teach them as soon as you can, they tend to learn form what you do..its good to start early becasue I know they will fallow behind when they pick up on it. just give them time to understand it..=]

i am a native woman we start as soon as they r born,we believe that all chidrens spirits r as important as ours because they r important 4 our future

Children learn from our actions.. they do what we do.. not what we say...So if your demonstrating your beliefs and walking the path to whatever religion you choose to follow.. they will be learning without being told what is right or wrong... etc.

I beleive since their birth to be introduce to it, as to join it, well this would be when they are aware of what their choice invovles and where they want to be and who they chose to be

Ok this is a real bug bear for me...

I personally think a child can't make this kind of decision unless they know all the information first. Religious studies are taught in our schools here in Australia, but its all christian based. I believe religous studies should include all religions from buddism, islamic, moslem, christian, wiccan, pagan, jewish, etc.

Firstly this give the child the right and opportunity to make the right decision which should be supported by the parents and community.

Secondly it will develop religious tolerance in our children and hopefully someday, religious wars and hate would end and we will become the balance community we should be.

Ok off my soap box passes it to the next person.

This would depend on the parents ...

I to believe it is up to the parents

I think that when a child is born they are around your religion while they grow, if they take it on when they know more then its upto the child wether on not to to embrace what you believe or find their own path.

Personally i think any age is ok...as long as your teaching your child about religion, and your not teaching them on condeming or critising other religions its ok!

I think that the child should be introduced to what the family practices, at a very early age. So that they will know all of the facts behind it and will be more involved.

whenever a child starts to ask questions.and provide more than one theory or religion.

I will let my child study any religion he or she wants to, and as many as he/she wants to, and then choose for him/herself whichever one he/she wants to follow.

Just so long as they don't try to convert me LOL

♥

I think the best time to introduce a religion is as early as birth.

I agree that birth is a good time. for many reasons. as soon as u can start believeing in something is as soon as u should learn. the only thing i would say is iffy about starting out at birth is taht a baby cant make that decision yet. but when the child is old enough, s/he should be able to decide if they really believe in the religion chosen for them by their parents or if they want to read about and study other religions or ideas. i think that it should be the childs choice in the long run.

i was raised catholic. by the time i was in 5th grade it was up to me whether or not i wanted to stay catholic. so i went thru conformation. which is basically baptism all over again, except ur old enough and knowledgeable enough to know whether or not this is for u.

of course now im much more knowledgeable then i was then. i think the most important thing is not what ur teaching ur children about religion but what they ask u and how open u are to let them discover their own thing.

bloodlust I was born Catholic as well, but I honestly do not think that by the time that one is in fifth grade that they can make any real life decisions on anything... I mean think about it, they are only like maybe 11 years old??? lol, I know what you mean though, and no disrespect to you, but I don't believe that confirmation should be that young in life I guess.

Children are like sponge from the day they are in the mother's wound, they can ear and learn, then once born that sponge can absorb more, this is why at one point they show us what they like and dont like, cause they have learn to like things more then others..for exp: chocolat more then brocoli, but then they learn the brocoli is better for your ealth, but anyway my point is that some are mature enought at 11 others will never be even at 40 to make a decision, it si up to the parent on that part to see if the child is making a clear decision or just a moment phase, then ether help with the leanring of the child's choice or with the leanring of making choice.

I started teaching my childern right away .
I was taught at around age 8 ..

I honestly beleive let a kid be a kid, and when they wanna know about certain things they will have the option, especially with religion, give them a choice...That's what I will do with my kids, I will not force it upon them

Well Stated lil brother..

I myself dont inforce any religion onmy kids .. Once there old enough to make up there minds and follow there hearts.

That doesnt mean I dont teach them morals, but rather once there old enough to choose there own path of religion..

Its interesting to note that almost everyone has the same mindset on how to introduce their children to any form of religion... the ages may be a few years different, but the fact that we all acknowledge the freedom of choice on our childrens sake means that we value the opinions of our children..

ladywinter has the right answer
but to each there own i guess

i only worry when i have kids how there piers will treat them, it seems to be ok to yell im a christian look at me or im a chatolic look at me, but if you are pagen or wiccian and you shout it out people are like keep it quite dont tell

I don't think that there is an age to young, as long as the child understands and comprehends everything.

But I've always said that when I have children, religion is a choice for them and I'll do my best to help them learn about everything I can so they're informed enough to make a decision.

Alright here's a theory. As a child you are taken to church with your parent/carer and as soon as you are able to make your own choice you choose to stop attending. Was your parent wrong to take you?

I think that is up to the parents/guardians of the child. Some prefer to teach them at a very young age, while others wait until their preteenage years. Being a rebel of religion, myself, I can definitely confirm that some children are not going to accept religion, and that's fine. I hate to see when caregivers shove religion down the kids' throats...

In my home, we share two very contradictory religions. Roman Catholic and Pagan. With my 2 boys, we make sure to teach them respect to all and to know right from wrong. With religion it's different. With their father, they have learned the stories of the bible, traditions at church and respect for all the "sacrifices" that were made for them. With me, they have learned to attone themselves with the Earth. They have learned to meditate and to understand the diversity that exists in the world, and also to respect those who do not share our same baliefs. So basically, we try to keep things balanced until they come to an age where they can understand and decide for themselves which path they wish to follow.

I believe that with proper guidance, even the most complicated religions or beliefs can be taught to children.

The problem I see with teaching religion to children, is that is often taught severely biased and skewed. I believe this is the reason so many people of varying religions do not get along. If every child was taught about ALL religions and beliefs, then they could make up their own minds on which they believe suits them best once they are old enough to know what they feel inside them, if they decided to choose one at all.

It's been proven that children can learn an astonishing amount when they are young, so the sooner they can learn about anything the better.

it think a toddler is to young but if a child wishes to learn of something you should not(,in my opinion) stop them sadly i was never given any choice in the matter so anything i try to study i must to in secret and alone "

for me the most basic stuff can be started as soon as the child is old enough to understand

I agree.. a toddler would be too young to be able to one... understand what they were being taught and two... be able to benefit from the teachings and three.. be able to make the rational decision to say yes or no on the fact of being taught... and older child would

I believe a child should be atleast ten years of age. I think that because that is when the child is just beginning to form it's own mind and the way it chooses. It is also when the childs personality is beginning to form.

A child is going to learn from their parents and those around them even if they aren't specifically "taught". It's usually best to give them some basic grounding, and if they're the inquisitive type, answer questions as they come along.

I would not teach my kids about anything of that nature other than the life they have and when they seach for what they believe in than they will find thier own path.

It is good to start early, as when they grow up they will know about how to deal with things from the certain religion they have been brought up in. I was brought up as a Christian, but by the age of 13 i broke off and learnt about other religions in skewl and books etc.. Now i have taken the path of a Wiccan. My dad wasn't too happy when i broke off from Christianity but i had the right too learn others and study them. For the past 3 years i have not followed a certain religion until now. But it is good to start of early even if they decide to change their religion or not.

I believe in providing my children with information on various religions and letting them choose their own paths. But for people who want to have an influence in their children's choice, I say: christianity and catholicism are taught from infancy (baptisms), so why not every other religion?

i wasz cath0lic nd they baptize theyre babies since theyre babies but i thiink if ur g0nna teach them wicca 0r sumthing ask them because i pers0naly d0nt lyk relig0n nd i w0uldnt want t0 be a wiccan 0r v0od0o it w0uld embarrass me lol

I think that the parent should wait until at least the child realizes that they have choices and let them decide if they choose to follow the path that You the parent are... A good age I think would be 13...

I was baptized as a Catholic..though my parents werent avid church goes they still believed and taught me at a young age not til I was a teenager did I choose my own belief.

In my personal belief, I think it would depend mostly on the learning curve of each individual child. Once the child has a grasp on the concept of faith, it can begin understanding structured religion. I wouldn't even make an attempt to discuss the idea before that bridge was crossed.

well i think a child should make their own choices. when they understand more about what they are getting into.

My mother was always being bothered by my aunts and uncles to take my brothers and i to church....

She always stood firm on her belief - which was...
"I will not enfource any religion on my children... when they are old enough they will decide for themselves"

I love my mom!!! She rocks!

sticky subject, good thread... my youngest is 8 years old... i think teaching and showing our children our beliefs and traditions from day one is acceptable... but also leaving them that choice when they are old enough to understand... wickied kisses and blssed be, darla...

I have constantly been in conflict with myself about whether I should raise a child to view the same thing as I do about religion, which is atheism or whether I should introduce them to the idea of a god or just let them choose what to do. I feel as if that is the single most frustating thing that I keep coming across when I thing of having children.

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