Pushing Religion

[Nerys Ghemor]

I plan on instructing my children to the fullest on my belief and moral system. If I didn't do that, I would fail as a parent. Now obviously in the end I can't force them and they still have a choice to follow it, but I will do everything in my power to inform them of the truth, as I see it, which is heavily influenced by my religion, which I hope, long after they leave my house is their religion too.

This is how I see it.

Coercion serves NO purpose whatsoever, but I definitely intend to conform the rules of my house to my belief--but NOT as a "because I said so" thing. I would like my kids to know that they can ask questions, that they can have frank discussions without having to worry that they're going to anger me just because they're questioning or disagreeing. Reasoned discussion is the best course, in my book--I would like them to see faith not just as a bunch of mystical mumbo-jumbo, but something to be thought about and carefully considered, that does have a logical component to it. Would I like to hope that my children follow me in my beliefs? Absolutely. But I would NEVER cut them off or belittle them in any fashion if they did not.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

I think parents have a right (and a responsibility) to teach their children right from wrong - and in many cases, that means involvement of a religion of some kind - at least in the U.S. I have no objection whatever to any parent teaching their child religion. It sure as hell beats alot of parents these days, who don't give a shit about their kids, pay them no mind at all and let them develop their own morals - or lack thereof. Any parent who takes an interest and makes a real effort to raise good citizens is fine by me - whether religion is involved or not is totally up to the parent.

That said, I think that a parent these days should be pleased if they end up with a child who is a hard-working and decent individual and good citizen - religious or not. With all the negative influences in the world today, and with the utter lack of moral character exhibited by most so-called 'role-models', it is a miracle any kids at all today grow up to become decent citizens who can hold a job longer that 10 minutes.

If a child doesn't retain the parents religious beliefs, but does retain the moral values taught as part of those religious beliefs, that is a 'win', IMO.

 

[Augustus]

I plan on instructing my children to the fullest on my belief and moral system. If I didn't do that, I would fail as a parent. Now obviously in the end I can't force them and they still have a choice to follow it, but I will do everything in my power to inform them of the truth, as I see it, which is heavily influenced by my religion, which I hope, long after they leave my house is their religion too.

This is how I see it.

Coercion serves NO purpose whatsoever, but I definitely intend to conform the rules of my house to my belief--but NOT as a "because I said so" thing. I would like my kids to know that they can ask questions, that they can have frank discussions without having to worry that they're going to anger me just because they're questioning or disagreeing. Reasoned discussion is the best course, in my book--I would like them to see faith not just as a bunch of mystical mumbo-jumbo, but something to be thought about and carefully considered, that does have a logical component to it. Would I like to hope that my children follow me in my beliefs? Absolutely. But I would NEVER cut them off or belittle them in any fashion if they did not.

Well said

 

[Captain X]

Until they start getting into their tweens, kids have no real understanding of the concept of religion anyway. Taking a kid to church is the most pointless thing any parent can do, because the kid will be bored and disruptive. If your religious beliefs call for you to baptize the kid, by all means, do so, but don't expect the kid to have a very active role in any kind of religion or an understanding of religious concepts until they start to understand other adult concepts.

So basically that's my way of saying "no", parents shouldn't force religion on their children, though I think it's fine for them to iintroduce them to it when the kid is old enough to understand what they might be getting into.

 

[Mark de Vries]

You can't assume a child will adopt their parents' religion. That's something parents actively need to work on, as it is their responsibility. That doesn't mean children shouldn't think for themselves (they should), but they're not adults, and can't be expected to think their way through life unaided. Parental guidance, in the form of a proper upbringing, is key to that. If parents are even remotely serious about their beliefs they have an obligation to relay that to their children.

 

[TheGodBen]

My parents are atheist, but I was brought up a Christian since that is what is normal in my society, and eventually I became an atheist anyway.

If I have kids, I will not raise them to be anything. If they ask me what I believe I will explain atheism to them, and if they want to know my opinions of Christianity I will explain it to them in as impartial a manner as I can. I would love my kids, it would not make me happy to indoctrinate them into something as important as a belief system. Religion is just as important to a person as marriage or political affiliation. I would never try to force my political beliefs upon my children, and I would certainly never try to force them into a marriage. When they are old enough they can choose for themselves.

I would hope they would be atheist, I would hope that my tolerance, my rationalism and my compassion would show them atheism in a positive light, and they they would like to follow the example that I set. That being said, I would easily accept them if they decided to be Christian or any other religion.

 

[Augustus]

just a comment:

I am taken aback on the number of atheists or otherwise non-religious people on this board.
In the USA, what, probably 90% believe in God?
On this board it seems to be closer to 50%, not a criticism, just an observation.

 

[iguana_tonante]

just a comment:

I am taken aback on the number of atheists or otherwise non-religious people on this board.
In the USA, what, probably 90% believe in God?
On this board it seems to be closer to 50%, not a criticism, just an observation.

It has been noted other times. There was a poll some months ago, but I can't remember the statistics.

Edit: Here they are

http://www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=62789

It was about 60% atheist, 40% believers (for TNZ only).

As for the explanations:

Well, fist of all, not all board members are from the USA. Some European countries are far more secular than the US.

Besides, this a board dedicated to a science-fiction series that espouse more or less a scientific and humanistic world view. Actually, I'm surprised at the number of believers around here, some of them even biblical literalists. That is much more curious, in my opinion, and a testament to Star Trek's capacity to reach across the aisle.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Until they start getting into their tweens, kids have no real understanding of the concept of religion anyway. Taking a kid to church is the most pointless thing any parent can do, because the kid will be bored and disruptive. If your religious beliefs call for you to baptize the kid, by all means, do so, but don't expect the kid to have a very active role in any kind of religion or an understanding of religious concepts until they start to understand other adult concepts.

I wouldn't say kids are necessarily going to be bored with or disruptive in church...you have to be observant of your child and see what it is they would prefer. I know in most larger Methodist churches (don't know about other denominations), you have the option of either bringing your kids to the service, or enrolling them in a class that's on their age level and is going to have lessons and activities that are age-appropriate.

In my own case, I chose very early to go to the grown-up service. The music was much more interesting to me than what went on in Sunday school, and since I was reading very early, I had no problem following along in the hymnal or Bible. Now, I didn't actually start paying attention to the sermon until I got older, so I just drew on the bulletin. But again, that was fine with my parents...they didn't push me to do any different. As long as I wasn't being disruptive, it wasn't an issue.

I suspect that had I been disruptive or disinterested, other accommodations would have been made (probably Sunday school). So I would say, don't make a blanket assumption about what's best for all children--pay attention to the individual child and figure out what suits them best.

 

[Augustus]

just a comment:

I am taken aback on the number of atheists or otherwise non-religious people on this board.
In the USA, what, probably 90% believe in God?
On this board it seems to be closer to 50%, not a criticism, just an observation.

It has been noted other times. There was a poll some months ago, but I can't remember the statistics.

Edit: Here they are

http://www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=62789

It was about 60% atheist, 40% believers (for TNZ only).

As for the explanations:

Well, fist of all, not all board members are from the USA. Some European countries are far more secular than the US.

Besides, this a board dedicated to a science-fiction series that espouse more or less a scientific and humanistic world view. Actually, I'm surprised at the number of believers around here, some of them even biblical literalists. That is much more curious, in my opinion, and a testament to Star Trek's capacity to reach across the aisle.

Thanks for the poll, I was unaware of it.
That is true, I and I think most people would consider me very religious, but I like Star Trek and enjoy it immensely. I guess I just don't use it as a rationale or an expected world view if you will.

As I look it, the events of Star Trek or anything like that could never happen because of my religious views, but hey it is fun to watch.

 

[iguana_tonante]

Thanks for the poll, I was unaware of it.

You are most welcome.

That is true, I and I think most people would consider me very religious, but I like Star Trek and enjoy it immensely. I guess I just don't use it as a rationale or an expected world view if you will.

As I look it, the events of Star Trek or anything like that could never happen because of my religious views, but hey it is fun to watch.

Well, I don't believe in magic and sorcery, but it doesn't mean i don't like my Harry Potter's books.

May I ask you where Star Trek's fictional universe is at odd with your religious world view?

 

[RoJoHen]

just a comment:

I am taken aback on the number of atheists or otherwise non-religious people on this board.
In the USA, what, probably 90% believe in God?
On this board it seems to be closer to 50%, not a criticism, just an observation.

I could be wrong, but we have a fairly large amount of younger posters (teens and early 20s), and my observation of the world, as a 23-year old, seems to be that more and more young people are turning away from religion for various reasons.

Almost everyone I know (not just friends, but coworkers and classmates) that's my age is atheist or agnostic. And that's even with going to a Lutheran college!

 

[Augustus]

Thanks for the poll, I was unaware of it.

You are most welcome.

That is true, I and I think most people would consider me very religious, but I like Star Trek and enjoy it immensely. I guess I just don't use it as a rationale or an expected world view if you will.

As I look it, the events of Star Trek or anything like that could never happen because of my religious views, but hey it is fun to watch.

Well, I don't believe in magic and sorcery, but it doesn't mean i don't like my Harry Potter's books.

May I ask you where Star Trek's fictional universe is at odd with your religious world view?

Haha, true, I didn't mean to say that all "non-believers", look to Star Trek as 'gospel" on what the universe is like.

Well, quite simply, God created this world and made man after his own image, has a plan for us, provided a Savior and I believe the second coming will happen some day, thus bringing in a new kind of existence to this world, one that starships and intergalactic wars, and organizations and all that jazz just isn't a part of.

I don't pretend to know everything, or know what is "out there", but I do believe in those things, making Star Trek an indulgence in imagination and not much else.

 

[Augustus]

just a comment:

I am taken aback on the number of atheists or otherwise non-religious people on this board.
In the USA, what, probably 90% believe in God?
On this board it seems to be closer to 50%, not a criticism, just an observation.

I could be wrong, but we have a fairly large amount of younger posters (teens and early 20s), and my observation of the world, as a 23-year old, seems to be that more and more young people are turning away from religion for various reasons.

Almost everyone I know (not just friends, but coworkers and classmates) that's my age is atheist or agnostic. And that's even with going to a Lutheran college!

Yep I am almost 25, and very few of my high school friends are still active in their churches. But the ones that are, are kind of like me, it is just who they are and so it would be really hard to let it go.

 

[RoJoHen]

Yeah, most young people who are Christians just seem to do it because it's what they're used to. I rarely meet anyone who actually seems to believe in it and live by it.

I think it's quite possible that God is becoming obsolete.

 

[iguana_tonante]

May I ask you where Star Trek's fictional universe is at odd with your religious world view?

Well, quite simply, God created this world and made man after his own image, has a plan for us, provided a Savior and I believe the second coming will happen some day, thus bringing in a new kind of existence to this world, one that starships and intergalactic wars, and organizations and all that jazz just isn't a part of.

I don't pretend to know everything, or know what is "out there", but I do believe in those things, making Star Trek an indulgence in imagination and not much else.

Thank you. I was just curious, because from what I know about Christian doctrine, there was nothing against the possibilities of a "Star Trek-like" future for humanity (with space travel, alien species and the like).

 

[Augustus]

I guess technically you are right. There is nothing in the Bible that says"thou shalt not believe in space travel"... And none of my church leaders have ever said anything like that either. But they do preach on the things that i mentioned... so I just but 2 and 2 together.

And to RoJoHen, that is sad in my opinion, I think a healthy dose of believing in God gives purpose and direction far better than most of the sources for which it is abandoned.

 

[RoJoHen]

And to RoJoHen, that is sad in my opinion, I think a healthy dose of believing in God gives purpose and direction far better than most of the sources for which it is abandoned.

It's definitely something that is entirely dependent on personal experience. I have no place for God in my life. I was raised in the Methodist church, and while I actually liked the church and people and had fun in Sunday School, I never felt like I was benefiting in a religious sense. Eventually I just stopped going.

One has to believe that God is worthwhile in order for his presence in your life to mean something. I have other things to believe in.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

Is it acceptable to assume that your offspring will assume your personal beliefs?

No. Only the individual can accept the Son of God. Their choice. Their future.

 

[Augustus]

just curious, since I have delved into my beliefs a little, what other things do you believe in?