Should parents teach their kids a specific religion and tradition?
921125
I think parents should encourage their children to learn about all religions, AND about what it is like NOT to have a religion. And then, let them choose.
886215
No.\n\nIt's not even Ok to choose its religion. Let the poor child figure it out for her/himself as they go through life.\n\nJeez.
828865
I don't think it'd be a particularly bad thing for there to be a religion course in public schools.  Religion is a huge part of modern society, and to be ignorant of (or worse, prejudiced about!) it is to lack understanding of a key factor in today's world.  You just can't fully understand events in Iran, Saudi Arabia, India, England, Tibet, Israel, France, Norway, the United States, or a myriad of other nations if you don't understand religion.  As for which religions should be taught, it should naturally be all the major ones, not just Christianity.
1164585
We have two history 'spines' - our primary sources for history:\nThe Kingfisher History Encyclopedia and \nThe Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World History\n\nDepending on the age of your child(ren), I would start with the Usborne book (good for early elementary), then move on to the Kingfisher book.  Both of these books use a similar format (1-2 page spread about a particular topic with pictures and notes), but the Kingfisher's reading level is a bit higher.  I would also supplement with topic-specific books from the library.  That's how we do history.\n\nIt would be impossible to teach history without including religion - so many of the world history events were at least started because of religion (think of the Crusades).  The great thing about homeschooling is that you can teach your child(ren) how YOU feel and what you believe about the religious aspects of these events.
811714
Sorry to disappoint you, but none of the religions we see around in our world is good for anybody. If you seek the good of your children, help them grow and develop as healthy human beings without being caught in the mental trap of any belief-systems. \n\nHelp them to have an open mind, to be fully honest, and to be  life-long learners. \n\nTry to instill the golden rule in them if you can. "Do to others what you expect from them!" \n\nLet them grow as human beings rather than as Christians or Muslims or Hindus or Buddhists or athiests.
339659
the way parents teach them.
1144358
Both my parents are Buddhist. Since young they have been bringing me to all their religious activities and sharing with me the teachings of Buddhism.\n\nI wouldn't doubt that they would want me to be a Buddhist, but they never force me into the religion too. For this I am very grateful to them, especially when they never stop me from going to other religious event too. Yes, I have went to a church, Taoist temple etc.. My parents even enrol me into a evangelist kindergarten. \n\nI have learn about so many wonderful things about so many religions. I can't really say which religion I want to follow at the moment, but I would certainly hate to be force into a religion that I can't even be truly devoted to. \n\nI wouldn't say that letting your daughter choose for herself means that you have let your god down. I doubt any true religion will say that. What you should do is share and guide her on you have learn and know about your religion.\n\nIn the end, it's still up to her own choice. No point forcing her into a religion that she wouldn't be devoted to.\n\nI have seen families breaking down when their children decided to join another religion. The quarrels every time their child went to her religious event.\n\nAfter all, religion is about individual beliefs, even if you and your daughter holds different beliefs, you will always be bond together as a family isn't it? If that is what she decides, embrace her for what she have decided.
510939
To the first answerer, it is possible to not brainwash your children. I would always allow my kids to have their own opinions and beliefs. If you attend a church or anything then I think you would probably take very young children along with you but I think as soon as they can choose and can stay away if they want to, I think they should be given the choice. I have never exposed my son to my beliefs until he asked about them. He learns about God, etc. at school and has already decided he doesn't believe all that. Before you people go on about it being my influence, he already made that decision before he knew anything about my beliefs.\nBasically, you should teach them about your own beliefs if they want to know but you should let them know that it is uo to them whatever they choose to believe. I don't think any parent should tell their children that their religion is the only right one. I told my son about my beliefs and I made sure he understood that it was only faith and he didn't have to be the same.\nIt seems some people here are mixing up morals and common sense with faith.
439159
I think it would be fine to have a voluntary comparative religion class in schools. I think it might create more understanding and tolerance between followers of different religions.\n\nHowever, I don't think it would have much effect on the religion a child would choose. I have observed many times throughout my life that when someone asks a child (under the age of, say, 13) his or her opinion about something like religion or politics, the child will nearly always give the same opinion they've heard their parents give. That's just how kids are.\n\nSince we can't expect parents to avoid exposing their kids to their own religion until the kids are teenagers, I don't think that teaching religion in school would really help kids choose a religion.
1163596
Parents have this odd belief that they have to be of one faith to raise their child. At some point the child will become an adult and will need to find their own spiritual foundation. They will make up their own mind.
962788
Children follow the religion of their father.\n\nTo insure that the children will be raised Muslim and believe in Islam the father must be Muslim.
989258
You are comparing a theocratic state and secular states. In United States, push from Christian groups are there to teach Christianity in schools. However, US laws strictly separates the church and the state. Any fedaral funded school or institution cannot teach religion - they can teach it from a cultural aspect but not the religious texts directly. The biggest thing is that the west has gone through dark ages and renaissance where people started empowering themselves. It has not happened in any third world country. Reforms and chages are put on people who are not reformed. That is why culture, religion and state are in a mess.
425311
Maybe consider the effects homosexual parents may have on children in their developing years.  As homosexuality isn't the cultural "norm," they'll not only question why their parents are different, but they'll endure the world's lack of understanding as well.  Start there?
393423
Math.\n\nMy child can have a sense of spirituality and God without Religion. Math is essential to be a successful in life.\n\nReligion is not the road to morals and principles. You can still teach your child right from wrong without religion. You can teach virtue and ethics. But you can not teach your child how to buy grocery, pay bills, balance a budget, pay taxes, etc without Math.\n\nMath is irreplaceable. And Spirituality can be gained without Religion.
604570
I am sure you don't want a real answer to this question but one that simply reinforces your own views. However, the purpose of our schools is not to glorify Christ or any other religion. Religion is a personal matter to be taught in the home.
781092
If both the people are mature and don't worry about what their family thinks or the people around them, then yes I think it can work. But then again it's not good to be unequally yoked if religion is important to both the people involved, because that could lead to serious problems for the parents and the children.
42461
First you both are Christian because you both believe in Christ as your savior...now going back to the type of Christianism you want to teach your child...go safe, baptise him catholic now, so he'll have a direct way into your heaven (just in case) and let him decide later on what he want to be.  Alternate between his church and yours, but not yet (he is too young).  In time HE will answer your question.