Attend a church with a friend that had beliefs that ran differently to your own? My son says he would wait until she was older. I am letting her go to any church with any of her friends so that she can experience the differences. I told her if she is seeking answers she should read the bible, the book of mormon, along with all of the other religions. THat each have simliarlities and differences. I told her that was the unique thing about our country, that we have the right to worship as we choose and that means that she doens't have to believe even as i believe. I told her where i find the harm is when one religion begins to believe it is so right that all others are wrong and evil. WHen they believe they have the right to judge others which ought to be God's job not humans. TOld her to always keep an open mind. AS long as she is happy, and feels it is a positive thing in her life, and hurts no one, that i am ok with it. Wondered what your opinion is.
Would you let an 8 yr old child
- Thread starter smkie
- Start date
My 8 yr. old sister goes to church with the people who live down the street from us. She went to church camp this summer with them, and now they pick her up every Sunday for church.
I'm not sure where I stand religion wise right now, but I don't have a problem with her going. But holy geez, those songs they teach them get so annoying. lol
I'm not sure where I stand religion wise right now, but I don't have a problem with her going. But holy geez, those songs they teach them get so annoying. lol
I dont have children, but I don't think I would have a problem with it. When I was younger I went with my friend to her chruch a few times, and my grandmother pitched a fit about it, saying it was wrong ect... I never felt that it was and honestly got upset about it. I think its great for kids to expereince new and different things.
My kids were curious about church til they went.
She knows what religion is and that I don't have one. She doesn't go to Church with people I don't know super super well, because my kids don't go anyplace in such circumstances. People I know that well, most don't go to Church at all...but she went this summer for a family event. She was interested and bored all at once.
She's 7...and if she is curious I told her her Dad could take her...but she said no thanks. Apparently once was enough?
She however finds the buddhist Monks that play basketball near my Mom's place super interesting, and she knows different areas of the world have different beliefs.
Unfortunately Texas isn't exactly a huge respository of Religious diversity LOL. I'd love for her to learn more about some non Christian stuff...because she'll get exposed enough to the Christian stuff enough in school thru friends.
She knows what religion is and that I don't have one. She doesn't go to Church with people I don't know super super well, because my kids don't go anyplace in such circumstances. People I know that well, most don't go to Church at all...but she went this summer for a family event. She was interested and bored all at once.
She's 7...and if she is curious I told her her Dad could take her...but she said no thanks. Apparently once was enough?
She however finds the buddhist Monks that play basketball near my Mom's place super interesting, and she knows different areas of the world have different beliefs.
Unfortunately Texas isn't exactly a huge respository of Religious diversity LOL. I'd love for her to learn more about some non Christian stuff...because she'll get exposed enough to the Christian stuff enough in school thru friends.
I wouldn't let her go if i didn't know the family well and believe they have her safety as big of a concern as thier own. One family is Catholic, the other is Babtist. THat ought to be quiet an experience right there. I have problems with some of their ethics, but i think she is smart enough to weed it out herself as she grows. My brother is super religious, my mother not at all tho VIctor she say is the reason she now wonders about reincarnation. I tell Hy i have no idea, i believe that something is out there, and that there are reasons we come across the things in our life that we do, and that we have the need to "do the right thing" and a basic understanding when we don't. I just think it is bigger then anything mankind could ever conceive. THanks for your perspectives, it helps. I have raised two, but each is different. Hyia has had a huge curiosity about Churches, especially where Jesus is concerned. SHe once saw a sculpture of him on the cross on the side of a church and said"is that really him...oh my" she thought it was real. SHe has been approached many times trying to recruit her to one or the other. I told her that she needs to understand it isn't about the badges or the t-shirt. BUt she will get that i am sure. I told her have fun, be aware always, and if it helps her, that's all good too. I heard too many prayers in the nursing home to ever think faith is unimportant.
My kids did attend churches with other kids. I thought it was fine.
I also didn't think it was too bad for someone to think their beliefs were right. I assume if they believe them, then they think they are right. The problem is when they try to impose their beliefs on someone else.
In my home growing up, there were many lively religious discussions between friends with different beliefs. They were friendly debates. No one convinced anyone to change their beliefs to my knowledge, but everyone had a good time. I was young and not involved in the discussions, but I remember it being friendly, and I guess it was fun because it happened from time to time over coffee and cake.
Each side did think they were right, though, and would love to have convinced the others to change their opinions, I think.
I also didn't think it was too bad for someone to think their beliefs were right. I assume if they believe them, then they think they are right. The problem is when they try to impose their beliefs on someone else.
In my home growing up, there were many lively religious discussions between friends with different beliefs. They were friendly debates. No one convinced anyone to change their beliefs to my knowledge, but everyone had a good time. I was young and not involved in the discussions, but I remember it being friendly, and I guess it was fun because it happened from time to time over coffee and cake.
Each side did think they were right, though, and would love to have convinced the others to change their opinions, I think.
It depends on what the denomination was and how their beliefs differ from mine. 
I feel that before anything else, my most important duty is to raise my child to love the Lord. I know what I believe and why I believe it. ** I'm just using my situation as an example, not trying to judge anyone else** We attend a Southern Baptist Church because it lines up closer than any other church in our area to my beliefs. My Brother & SIL attend a Non denom church that has a female pastor. My own personal beliefs are that women do not belong in a pastor or deacon position but I don't think it's a salvation issue so it would not bother me if they took my kids. I have a older Step Sister who is a Jehovah's Witness. My beliefs and hers are completely different. So, no my children would not be allowed to attend her church. When my children are adults living in their own homes they can decide for themselves. Until then, they are my responsibility and I will not allow them to hear what I consider false doctrine.
I feel that before anything else, my most important duty is to raise my child to love the Lord. I know what I believe and why I believe it. ** I'm just using my situation as an example, not trying to judge anyone else** We attend a Southern Baptist Church because it lines up closer than any other church in our area to my beliefs. My Brother & SIL attend a Non denom church that has a female pastor. My own personal beliefs are that women do not belong in a pastor or deacon position but I don't think it's a salvation issue so it would not bother me if they took my kids. I have a older Step Sister who is a Jehovah's Witness. My beliefs and hers are completely different. So, no my children would not be allowed to attend her church. When my children are adults living in their own homes they can decide for themselves. Until then, they are my responsibility and I will not allow them to hear what I consider false doctrine.My daughter did go with one family that I thought was possibly going to bring her home baptized or joining the church one day because they got really interested in talking to her about church when she would just go to their house to play. It worried me a little, but that wasn't so much a matter of going to church with them as it was knowing what they were teaching her when she was just at their house. Anyone that they spend time with can start talking about religious beliefs with them......doesn't have to be at church.
Of course I would.
I was dragged to Catholic church when i was 8 with my step mom lol. man was it torture to sit there all that time at that age lol and I never went back.
If my child expressed interest in going then yes I would let her... I wouldn't force her like I was forced to attend a strange church but I would rather her be attending a church with a different belief than to be out run amok lol.
Unless I know said church BULLIES their patrons into believing. I don't want to expose her to that... I don't want her to FEAR any faith. In that case I would wait until she is a little older and less impressionable and less likely to be afraid.
ETA: I can only hope that I am well equipped enough to answer her questions when she comes home.
I was dragged to Catholic church when i was 8 with my step mom lol. man was it torture to sit there all that time at that age lol and I never went back.
If my child expressed interest in going then yes I would let her... I wouldn't force her like I was forced to attend a strange church but I would rather her be attending a church with a different belief than to be out run amok lol.
Unless I know said church BULLIES their patrons into believing. I don't want to expose her to that... I don't want her to FEAR any faith. In that case I would wait until she is a little older and less impressionable and less likely to be afraid.
ETA: I can only hope that I am well equipped enough to answer her questions when she comes home.
I think it depends on the church. I wouldn't usually have a problem with it, if it were my child. But some of these churches can be harsh. I had a cousin who went with a friend to Sunday School one day, and the teacher found out my cousin was a different religion. So she gave a "lesson" on how people of other faiths are going to hell.
Yeah, at an early age they're probably going to pay attention to what their friends are saying about religious topics than what a preacher or teacher is saying at church or in front of a class at Sunday School. Their questions might come more from what their friends say unless a preacher/teacher does something to make whatever they're saying outrageously interesting.
^^^^ Gemp I think that is totally wrong and that's what I mean by a church that bullies. I will not have my child come home fearing for her soul.
I also wanted to add. Neither of my parents were really religious or anything. I never set foot in a church when I was younger other than for weddings... and I was baptised too. I know my mom believes in God but it's not really something that was discussed or given priority. it was just "I believe in God" sort of thing.
but one of my friends was part of a church group that got together every Wednesday night. we played games, had lots of fun and then did a bible study. Actually... this happened with two different friends. I went to TWO different church groups with my friends. One was every wednesday night and the other was on the weekend I think. They were GREAT fun even though I almost choked to death on my candy once lol. I wasn't a member of either of the churches and my friends parents knew I didn't attend church but I was NEVER EVER pressured about it. it was just for fun and taught us bible lessons at the same time. No big deal. I still have my certificate from one of my bible study camps that I went to with one of my friends (day camp in town not overnight or for a week) and I still have the piggy bank that I won guessing how many jelly beans were in the jar lol.
I also wanted to add. Neither of my parents were really religious or anything. I never set foot in a church when I was younger other than for weddings... and I was baptised too. I know my mom believes in God but it's not really something that was discussed or given priority. it was just "I believe in God" sort of thing.
but one of my friends was part of a church group that got together every Wednesday night. we played games, had lots of fun and then did a bible study. Actually... this happened with two different friends. I went to TWO different church groups with my friends. One was every wednesday night and the other was on the weekend I think. They were GREAT fun even though I almost choked to death on my candy once lol. I wasn't a member of either of the churches and my friends parents knew I didn't attend church but I was NEVER EVER pressured about it. it was just for fun and taught us bible lessons at the same time. No big deal. I still have my certificate from one of my bible study camps that I went to with one of my friends (day camp in town not overnight or for a week) and I still have the piggy bank that I won guessing how many jelly beans were in the jar lol.
I wouldn't have a problem with most. When I was young I went to many different churches with friends ranging from Jewish Synagogues, I spent a lot of time with a friend who had one Bhuddist parent and the other was Catholic, lots of Catholic friends, I went to an Episcopalian church recently, many non denomintational, Methodist, etc...
I have to say the one that was most fun was when I was little I went with one of my friends to his all black southern baptist church. THAT was a good time.
I have to say the one that was most fun was when I was little I went with one of my friends to his all black southern baptist church. THAT was a good time.