How to approach religion?

i see where you are coming from i was always forced to go to church 3 times a week and when my husband was young they made him read a whole book out of the bible for punishment. i do not agree with how we were brought up but i do want my kids to know think about religion i went and got my daughter some books about god for kids and she loves them shes almost a year i know shes to young to understand alot of it but when shes older i hope she will remember the books and i plan on taking her to church ONCE a week maybe and see what she thinks i dont want to force it on my kids since its what happen to us growing up and i see the out come i think you should go get some children books with fun pictures and just read them so they get an idea that some ones always watching over them and keeping them safe i think kids should know that so they are not so scared of moster the dark ect.

hope i helped (:

Kind of in the same boat. I did the church thing when I was younger, and I was a server on Sundays, but when my parents got divorced all of that stopped and I lost God because it seemed that my parents did.

While I might be on the fence even though I would give anything to be certain, our son has a children's Bible and we read it regularly. We also go to church when we can. I think that church teaches us valuable lessons about life. It teaches us to be good people. Our newer pastor makes it fun for children. He plays guitar and has a humorous way about him. Right now at age 4 he is having fun while learning about growing into a responsible, loving, generous, and honest little man not only at home but at church too. I don't see anything negative about the experience! When he gets older he won't be forced to go to church, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it.

They're you kids. Be open and honest. If you're undecided, tell them so and why.

"I don't know if I believe in God. And if there is one, what religion do they want me to practice? It's an important decision and it's your decision. Luckily, you don't have to decide today. Think about it for as long as you need. Look at me! I'm *still* thinking it over!

And you know what's really cool? We might come to different conclusions. Maybe you'll be Hindu and I'll be Wiccan but, we'll still love one another just the same."

Why is your going to church relevant to your children going to church? My old man was a hot head who often alienated me but, I came out okay. Should I raise my kid the same way because that's how I was raised? You don't need a church or anyone else to teach your kids what you want them to know.

My husband and I were both raised in Catholic homes, grew up going to mass, toke the sacraments etc. However, for a number of reasons, over the years we have been distancing ourselves and our family from the church. There are many important issues that we disagree on with the Catholic hierarchy and also with our own families.

I am not sure of how I feel about organized religion in general and the existence of God at this point in my life. We agreed to baptize our children, mostly to please our parents and avoid needless irritation, but after that, I don't plan to oversee the kids' holy communions or confirmations. We are leaving it up to them.

Since I am not certain of what role I want to play in the Catholic congregation, if any, I would feel hypocritical if I tried to educate my children to believe things I am not convinced of. I think our ambivalence is also a way to teach our children to make up their own minds about things, to ask questions and make decisions for themselves.

Well, I suppose as they are going - when they come home from church ask them to let you know what they learned. After they tell you - you can always explain to them (on whichever topic) how it's fun to learn and tell them that we really don't know if that is pretend or not. Tell them it could be, but we don't know. I guess just talking with them, and communicating. I don't think it's bad to take them to church while they are young just to get the history and certain things out of it. You can always talk to your child to explain to them your views and how they can have their own views as well.

Let them know they should always question.

Also, you can just teach them at home if you feel taking them would be too complicated. It may work out better since at home you can be open to explain everything freely without worries of offending or confusing others around you!

You shouldn't go to church because you feel obligated to. Take your kids to church if they like it then. Keep going you might end up liking it too. You don't have to go to church either. As long as you have faith and prayer daily. That is all The Lord asks of us. And all in all just try and be a good person!

ok, there is much dispute about this topic but i believe this is the most humane and accurate. Although you have your views on religion, is it fair to say that your children cannot decide what they want to believe in their lives? It is precisely the reason why discrimination and racism still exist because parents tell their children what to think and how to see the world without actually letting the children find out on their own. If children are not allowed to view things their own way they become bigotted and closed minded. thankyou for being open minded.

Take awhile to think then do what you think is right.....I do think one of the good things about church though is they might make some friends well their young.

You might try Sunday School. Imo, it helps to learn something about faith and Sunday School is pretty much straight from the Bible.