religious education

I think that it is a great idea to teach children about different religions so that they can choose which one that they agree with. Forcing a child into one religion may make the child regret the church and what it stands for.

I must admit that I do think being brought up with only one religion does make SOME people intolerant. I grew up in an area where pretty much everyone was intolerant, and they were all of the same religion. In fact, myself and my great-grandmother were the only people in my town who weren't Christian, and while she wasn't much of a target since she was quiet about her beliefs, I was tormented from kindergarten until the day I left that town over my religious beliefs. It is true that some people can grow up in ways that could make them intolerant and yet no be so, because I'm not a racist, even though pretty much everyone around me was when I was growing up. The main reason I want my child to learn many religions though, is because I think it's healthy to make your own choice about your religious beliefs, based on your own studies. That, and since my husband and are of different religions, he would grow up learning at least two religions anyway. I certainly am not going to have my child excluded from any of my celebrations of any of my religious holidays, nor from any of my regular rituals and other religious things, and I'm sure my husband wouldn't want him left out of all his either. So we're not exactly going to teach him just one or the other!

Do you think that bringing him up with only one religion will make him intolerant of others? I was brought up with only one religion. I studied a few others as part of my college classes. While I don't agree with other religions, I absolutely don't hate other people who are different from me or don't agree with me. In fact, my job (which I love!) allows me to have relationships and friendships with people from all cultures and religions. Unfortunately there are too many intolerant people in the world, but mostly, their intolerance isn't caused by religion. It is caused by their own choice to be intolerant.

I am glad that your children enjoy going to church. That is very important. I agree with you that you should never push a religion on anybody. That is the surest and fastest way to push somebody away. People can live out their religion with their daily lives. Actions speak louder than words. I have known too many people who have decided against religion because they saw hypocrates who lived in a way opposite of what they said. That makes me very sad.

I am sorry that you had such a bad experience with the church. If you hadn't had a bad experience, do you think you would have chosen differently?

Many people who are exposed to religious education grow up to be moral, upright, decent people. They can be very well disciplined as well, although that can depend on personality as well. Do you think that any religion goes too far in training?

I agree with you. Not only do religious classes teach morals, values, etc., they can teach you how to draw closer to God. Teach a child when he is young, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.