If parents waited for their children to be able to understand...?

I think in many respects that would be as dangerous as not giving your child sex education before they reach puberty then wonder why he or she gets into trouble "when they come of age". You are always going to have parents on one side saying children should be taught and parents on the other saying they should not. I suppose that is why each parent chooses, ultimately, to do what is best for their child and it is not my place to tell another parent or campaign for laws that would take away basic rights from another parent. I agree wholeheartedly with you that every child/person should have the right to choose their religion when they are of age and I have seen that parents having a baby baptised before they have this opportunity, for many, feel their options have been taken away.

I am a Christian and follow the bible. The bible states that a child should be taught, but it also states for baptism that a person must firstly have knowledge, secondly choose to dedicate themselves then they get baptised. Logic dictates that an infant of young child are not in a positions to do this. Infant baptism did not come from the bible.

As a mother of 7, I have given my children the best I can give as they have grown. I am sure believer or not, everyone agrees that children should receive a well rounded education but if we don't tell them anything when they are young, how do they choose against what they do not know when they are "old enough"? Children learn as they grow and statistically, those having a religious upbringing doesn't guarantee they stay religious. I have seen cases of very religious parents and none of their kids believe and vice versa. Many believe good morals is as important as telling your child not to touch the stove when it is hot. So where do those good morals come from? It is part of a belief system of the parent, usually from a religious source.

Just as history, maths and science are invaluable tools in life, teaching a child what a parent believes gives them a well rounded education then "options" when he/she comes of an age to choose what he/she want to choose in life. If a parent was made to wait, what other areas should the parent hold back on until the child is old enough?

All my children have been given this, an understanding of what I believe to be truth just as an atheist would do the same for their child. Then at an age of understanding they have the option to follow on with those teachings or not. 2x have chosen not to, the others did, that is what free will is all about. I was raised by a Christian and an atheist, always had a basic teaching of both but when I was in my mid 20's then made my own choice. My father didn't speak to me for 3 months because I didn't choose his belief system so it is not just religious people who try to impress their beliefs on their children or get upset when they come of age to make their own choices.

Would the conversion rate go down?

Statistically, no studies have been done to support such a hypothesis ~ possibly

but would also crime rates and violence soar as a direct result? possibly too

Personally I feel every child should be given an understanding and when old enough given the choice to make that decision for themselves. I don't feel it should be made for them or taken away through infant baptism.

The religion would shrink to about 10 percent of the population

Religion would fall largely to the wayside. Most people across the world believe whatever they were raised to believe and never question it.

"You must inculcate [God's commandments] in your son and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up."—Deuteronomy 6:7.