Throughout my elementary school years, my siblings and I attended a Lutheran daycare. My parents were always very busy and we never had time to attend church, so they decided at least we'd have some basic knowledge this way.

Then again, I wasn't really raised in a family setting. To this day, neither of my parents say "I love you", and physical contact, such has hugging is highly awkward.

Even though I'm sure they didn't intend it to be this way, I'm really happy with the choice they made with my religion experiences. Leaving me in the hands of a Lutheran daycare gave me the chance to follow whatever I believed in my heart, and didn't force me to conform to one set of rules. Lutheranism in itself is really relaxed and believes the best way to love and worship God is to live your life for your community, and not to sit your butt on a bench every Sunday when you really don't want to be there.

At the moment, I consider myself agnostic, because my scientific little brain has too many theories for me to want to pick a flat out religion. Thanks to the Lutheran teachings though, I don't feel guilty. I do believe in God, and I believe in heaven and hell, but I don't want to believe in all those details, because I really just don't know. I have a good heart though and I respect all living creatures, and I believe God loves me because of it.

I really hope to raise my kids in a similar fashion. I think I may take them to a church of God, instead of a specific sect for them to get their basic knowledge.

I know from experience though, that kids brought up in strict religious households often times rebel against all their rules and guidelines. This happens a lot with Mormons. Many of my friends are brought up in Mormon households, and they're some of the most rebellious teenagers I've come across. They don't hate God or anything, but they hate the fact that they're forced to pretend to believe in something they don't. I think it's wrong to subject a human being to that.

In my opinion, being raised in a proper religious home only means that a child will be raised with proper morals and will know how to be kind to other people.

That is to say a PROPER religious home. Just because its a religious home dosn't mean its proper. But thats a different discussion.


I, personally, would raise my children to think how they wish. I'm Christian (for lack of a better word) but will not force my children to think as I do. Hell, one of the things I'd like to see (but not really a deciding factor) in the person I choose to marry would be a different religion then my own. I'd want my children to grow up with as much religious openness as they can get.

I can only give them advice and show them the fork in the road, I cant make them choose which one.

Thats how my mum and dad raised me and I turned out just fine.

I personally don't believe that religion is the only thing in a household that can teach a child morals, but whatever.

i don't think parents should raise their children with religion. however, i do think that they should raise their children with morals. morals do not have to be religious. children should be able to decide for themselves what they want to believe; they shouldn't be brainwashed into thinking what their parents want them to think.

I think you can raise a child any way that they want to, but when they are adults they must choose what they want to do. You can only influence them so much.

I was raised a Lutheran Christian and will always be Christian (upon my own choice) but as to the denomination, well that could change. I would not have a problem with becoming Catholic. Otherwise I will probably stay Lutheran.

I would not raise my children under Islam or any such other religion because I disagree with many beliefs. I'm very Judeo-Christian oriented, though many Hindu and Buddhist principles appeal to me. Jesus and Buddha are quite parallel, with some obvious differences.

You can do what you like, but remember that religion is a personal decision and you should not discourage your children to follow what they believe is right, even if you disagree. They will sooner or later be adults, and they have the right to choose as you did.

I was raised Roman Catholic, as were my sisters and all of my mother's family (true French Canadians you could say). And honestly I may not be the most religious person in the world but I couldn't do without my religion, which is why when I have kids I will probably raise them with the same religion I have.

For me having them raised without a religion is almost like giving them the tools for life without a reason why they have them or how to use them. I just believe that having something besides just morals, something to believe in gives a child something more.

Originally Posted by Sir Kai

In my opinion, being raised in a proper religious home only means that a child will be raised with proper morals and will know how to be kind to other people.

It's perfectly possible to have proper morals and be kind to people without religion. Actually, I've noticed it's sometimes the total opposite: atheists aren't so quick to judge others, while religious people are.

Actually, which is more moral?
a) Doing good because your god will punish you if you don't, or doing good because your god tells you to.
b) Doing good because you appreciate humanity and choose to do good yourself, not because a god tells you to.

I'm getting to the age in my life where i'm moving out of my parent's house and i'm really starting to see how diverse the world really is. There are so many different religions out there, how can you say any one is the right one? My opinion would to be to do your best to show your children your religion, teach them your morals and be a good example of what a member of your reliaion should be. That being said, if the parents are christian and the child want to be a buddhist or a hindu, then that should be the child's choice. The parents did the best to raise their child as a kind, thoughtful human being and the chld can still be that way in a different religion.

I wasn't brought up within a religion, and I think the same will go for my children.
However, my boyfriend is a Christian, and although he's not as religious as some, he wants his children to be baptized. I'm pretty much ok with that.
I honestly don't think it makes a difference whether a child follows the same religion as their parents or not. It's their choice once they're older. If my child wishes to follow other beliefs, I will still love them and care for them as much as I can. I will teach them right and wrong as children, and when they're old enough they can decide whether I was right. I want to give them enough freedom to decide for themselves :)

I think it's more important to expose them to a variety of religions rather than whether they're raised to follow a certain religion or not.

I think that if the parents practice a religion, then they should raise their children accordingly, and teach them their beliefs. Most of my friends grew up with no religion, and for some reason, they ended up more intolerant of other people's beliefs than my friends who were raised Jewish, Muslim, Christian, or Catholic, and even my one Hindu friend.

bad idea. raising kids to believe in a certain religion is brainwashing. let the kid decide for themselves when they're old enough to make their own decisions.

The problem I have with raising children with a certain religion is that most parents will be tempted into giving a rather one-sided view as to why 'their religion is the best' and since parents are a child's role models the children will adopt this point of view even when it's not crammed down their throats. Not to mention that there will be the fear of disappointing and letting their parents down.

Personally, I'm more in favour of letting the child explore multiple religions and decide when he/she is fully mature what they're going to follow. This not only lessens the pressure put on a child but allows them to develop their own path. Not to mention the fact that there are numerous religions that teach that homosexuality is a sin, this will cause a deep conflict within the child if he/she should turn out to be homosexual.

Raising a child into a religion is in my point of view a very risky thing.