Should a Child be allowed to choose his or her religion?

Children need guidance from the parents. Not just in religion but all other aspects. As children, they cannot understand or comprehend everything yet. The way they see things are still limited, being young, and they can be easily persuaded. They can go blind - someone ca present something to them and yet they cannot see the whole picture yet. It is so easy to deceive them, and they cannot grasp yet the cause and effect of things and decisions and their beliefs if ever. Having said that, why would they be allowed to choose their own religion? They have to be guided first! When they grow up, when they are matured enough, then that's the time they exercise their rights and their free will and go on with their convictions.

I think that people should be able to choose. I was raised Catholic, but now as an adult, I do not practice the Catholic religion. I don't agree with much of the Catholic Church. I don't practice any religion. I consider myself to be non-denominational. I have a relationship with God without practicing any doctrine. My mom still goes to Catholic mass every Sunday and I let my kids go with her even though I don't go. She hounds me about going and about getting my kids baptized and her and I argue a lot about it. But I'm not going to force it on my kids the way it was forced on me especially when I'm not a practicing Catholic at all. I guess I can still be considered Catholic because I was baptized at 6 weeks old and had no say, but I won't do that to my kids. If they have questions about God and the Bible, I answer them, but I'm not going to shove doctrines down their throat. When they get older, they can choose to believe what they want and I will support their decision.

Well that depends on age as well. People sit all day long and talk about kids and how they need this and that, but I have to say that in this day and age kids are not dumb and many know what they want. Many kids follow parents until they get older to understand each religion and what it means. I mean I was an open minded 5 year old and I knew more than other little kids, so I was able to choose certain things that others could not. I mean it is wrong to really make someone choose a religion that they do not want period. when it comes to kids yes they may go to that church, but when they get older they might turn to sometihng else that they will start to believe in. Teach them what is right and that is all you can do.

I grew up in a Christian home, I have no intention of changing my beliefs, but some people do change their beliefs when they're older. Some kids just go to church or wherever and they don't believe it anyway.

Yes and No! In the beginning children should be shown and brought up with the religion of their parents. They should be taught what their parents believe to carry on that religion they were brought up with. But, When a child grows up and is 18 or older and wants to choose some other religion you have to let go and let them do their own thing. They know what they learned from all the years of practicing your religion and now they think another is more to their liking. Don't disapprove even though you may want to. Embrace it, because at least they are finding a religion and something that they do believe in. It is better than not believing in anything at all.

I think as a parent, we must guide our children. Children are easily lead, and need the solid foundation that religion can give them. They have been taught to believe in God, and they do, but as they grow, if they see beyond that box, so be it. But I also beleive that as a parent it is my job to show them the world, and the beauty in it. I don't see things in black and white, and know there is far out there than on my little piece of dirt, in my opinion. If at some point after I have presented my child with the facts as I see them, they choose an alternative path, I personally will respect it. My views are not conventional, so I don't expect theirs to be as they grow up.

I think that young kids (younger than 8 or so) should be raised in the parents religion but it is also the obligation of the parent sot teach their children about other religions. When the child is older - teenager - they should be allowed to further investigate religions on their own and make their own decisions.

I think a child should be allowed to make her own decision as to what religion she wants to follow. Most children just follow along with their parents but I am sure that some children may have some ideas of their own and should be allowed to follow them.

I don't think that anybody should be forced into a religion that they don't believe in, so you really do have to respect their beliefs and decisions. The best thing that you can do is to allow your child to have all of the information about each of the religions and then allow them to make sure that they are making a decision based on the information that they believe rather than just believing in something because of what other people tell them to believe. They will get a lot of education in school, and I think that you do have to let them be independent to some extent.

child is basically force into their parent's belief due to some reason, but the strongest one is because they don't understand enough yet about beliefs/ faith. it's very normal that parent choosing their kids's religion, but after they grow up, if they want to change their religion, parent can't deny it

I think ultimately children do choose there religion. I mean ya they follow there parents religion till adulthood but once they reach adulthood it is up to them to continue the practice or to stop practicing. I hate how people accuse parents of brain washing there children for simply taking them to church

I believe that it is the parents at this stage that knows what is best for the child. If he wishes to change his religion when he is all grown-up, that's OK. But when you are a child you cannot make decision for yourself. Plus kids should always obey their parents.

i think they dont have choice but to follow their parent.if that child grow up maybe he/she will understand what is good or bad for it.but if their parent choose that religion maybe that religion is good and the best.cause there no parent who give the child something bad.

It really is the right of the child to choose his or her own religion , but pity majority of the kids loose this right!obviously they stick with that religion whole of their life! All religions preach the same stuff but in different ways , really wonder why some parents are allergic to other religions!

they have no choice but to follow what their parents religion tough of course when they grow up they can choose what they want, though some parents or religion restrict their kids to choose other religion insisting their religion is already the best,so what happened then the person was just forced to follow even if their heart is not into it just for their parents sake which is already against the will of GOD, i guess what GOD want is someone who will love and accept him no matter what and not to forced those.

i dont think so for sure,since its against the law to promote such kind of rebellious activities to happen.they have to follow not to choose