Weird conversation I had with my (muslim) parents today...

[Copperknickers II]

They mention that I HAVE to give my kids a chance to learn about Islam, that I HAVE to take them to the mosque so they can find out about it.

But I mean, why the should I? I personally think Islam (along with all other religions) is full of , and that I definitely don't' want any future kids of mine to grow up believing in any kind of that crap. But is it right for me to do this? I mean, if they really feel "compelled" to learn about Islam or christianity or any of that shizz, then they can go do it, but i'm definitely not gonna be the one to teach them.

Doesn't this seem a little hypocritical. In fact, your parents thoughts can be summed up thus:

They personally think Atheism (along with all other religions) are full of , and they definitely don't' want their kids to grow up believing in any kind of that crap. But is it right for them to do this? I mean, if he really feels "compelled" to abandon Islam or take up christianity or any of that shizz, then he can go do it, but we're definitely not gonna be the ones to support him with it.

Sound familiar? Your personal beliefs are irrelevent, you should give your children a choice, or you are no better than your parents: enforcing one specific belief whether they agree with it or not.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Expose them to everything, push them towards nothing.

[Copperknickers II]

Expose them to everything, push them towards nothing.

I disagree on both lpoints. Some things need to be pushed, and more importantly, some things are better not exposed.

Religion is one thing that should be a personal choice, unless its Satan worship perhaps, but that doesn't mean parents shouldn't have any say in their child's life at all.

[Gatsby]

Expose them to everything, push them towards nothing.

Precisely this. Your kids have a right to be given options in their beliefs. If one day little pspguy123 jnr asks you what Islam is all about then you have to give an unbiased answer. I'm an athiest myself, but if you force your kids into athiesm from day one the you are as bad as your parents. If you leave them with balanced views on everything, they'll probably settle on athiesm or at least agnosticism anyway.

A kid's natural state isn't religiosity, you dont need to brainwash them to make them athiest, just prevent them from being brainwashed into Islam.

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

Precisely this. Your kids have a right to be given options in their beliefs. If one day little pspguy123 jnr asks you what Islam is all about then you have to give an unbiased answer. I'm an athiest myself, but if you force your kids into athiesm from day one the you are as bad as your parents. If you leave them with balanced views on everything, they'll probably settle on athiesm or at least agnosticism anyway.

A kid's natural state isn't religiosity, you dont need to brainwash them to make them athiest, just prevent them from being brainwashed into Islam.

However if the child(ren) wants to be Muslim then you shouldn't prevent them just because you disagree with it

[Pontifex Maximus]

Some things need to be pushed, and more importantly, some things are better not exposed. .

The harder you push, the stronger the resistance.

[Gatsby]

However if the child(ren) want to Muslim then you shouldn't prevent them just because you disagree with it

Exactly, I meant he should make himself clear in that he doesn't want his parents subversively goading the child into Islam, as he should not force it into Athiesm.

[Archaalen]

My parents were both in a similar position to you, except they were both raised Catholic. They hated their upbringing in the religion, and they chose to raise my sister and me without any specific religious instruction. We celebrated Christmas and Easter in a vaguely-Christian sort of way, but we never went to church and we had no copies of the Bible or any other religious works in our house. My sister and I both turned out fine, and so will your putative children.

[Giorgos]

O.p, as you will find out, provided you live in an open society, your kids will go their own way, regardless of what you or your grandparents tell them to do. I was raised an Orthodox Christian, but i follow my own way. so will your children...

[Adar]

Expose them to everything, push them towards nothing.

I think it is the parents duty to guide their children to a healthy and productive life. That includes pulling them towards a healthy view on religion too...

[-Stormrage-]

Since the air is so Islam-Freindly im gonna quote the prophet.

Prophet Muhammad said : (More or less paraphrasing the idea) Spoil them for the first 7 years, teach them the next 7 years, then befreind them the last 7 years.

Meaning, from Age of 1-7 dont chastise them dont reprimand them they are kids let them muck around, when they reach 7 years old start teaching them instructing them on behavior and etiquette etc. , when they reach 14 befreind them. now he becomes your friend you take him with you wherever you go, you ask for his veiws on various matters concerning the family. He becomes your right hand man.

On a personal note i suggest letting them explore, let them hear and see. They will find out about the different religions out there whether through hearing a reference on tv or in school. And then they will come to ask you on theyre own.

Dont go to them and open the topic of religion let them open it, they will hear many things as they grow and on one of those long car rides they will ask you.

[Denny Crane!]

If you teach them to think critically and to explore everything with an open mind, teach them philosophy and history and allow them to explore all religion and beliefs with an open mind and no indoctrination. Without indoctrination it is extremely unlikely that they will become religious. That is a fact.

[Pontifex Maximus]

If you teach them to think critically and to explore everything with an open mind, teach them philosophy and history and allow them to explore all religion and beliefs with an open mind and no indoctrination. Without indoctrination it is extremely unlikely that they will become religious. That is a fact.

Yes- best post in the thread.

[Treize]

I can understand this is a difficult position to be in for TS. Basically his parents are dissapointed in him for doing nothing wrong. Living up to their expectations or going your own way? Remember, the latter is the best (on the long run).

And ofcourse, Islam is full of BS. Fact.

[Matthias]

The reason people who are quite smart believe in silly things (like many aspects of religion) often has a lot to do with history and culture. If you are indoctrinated from birth about some mythology, and this mythology is deeply ingrained with your culture and history, not to mention your community, and your identity, then it is hard for people, no matter how smart, to ever give it up.

So most people ignore the silliest aspects of their belief system and follow what they wish to to keep that ingrained part of their identity intact. They may not follow their relgion much at all, but they will identify as such.

The worst part is that this cycle generally continues as they indoctrinate their children. I'm glad you will not be doing so. It's not right to indoctrinate children, even if they are your own.

[Aenima]

I disagree on both lpoints. Some things need to be pushed, and more importantly, some things are better not exposed.

Religion is one thing that should be a personal choice, unless its Satan worship perhaps, but that doesn't mean parents shouldn't have any say in their child's life at all.

Hey bro, don't discriminate. I know a guy that's a Satanist and it's nothing like you think. Him and his lot believe that Lucifer is the good guy, that demons aren't the evil things we've typically been brought up to believe. I'd tell you more, but to be honest my eyes glaze over when he goes on about it (which he does at great, great length)

However if the child(ren) want to Muslim then you shouldn't prevent them just because you disagree with it

I think we've got ourself a new verb, here

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

Exactly, I meant he should make himself clear in that he doesn't want his parents subversively goading the child into Islam, as he should not force it into Athiesm.

Okay Misunderstood what you had said, so I now agree with you

Hey bro, don't discriminate. I know a guy that's a Satanist and it's nothing like you think. Him and his lot believe that Lucifer is the good guy, that demons aren't the evil things we've typically been brought up to believe. I'd tell you more, but to be honest my eyes glaze over when he goes on about it (which he does at great, great length)





I think we've got ourself a new verb, here

Hahaha oops Meant to be: wants to be Muslim


@ IPA35

And ofcourse, Islam is full of BS. Fact.

Thats your personal opinion, not fact. I mean others may believe that Islam is 100% the truth - that doesn't make what they say fact, it is what they believe in, their opinion.

[The Vitiated Mind]

Religion is one thing that should be a personal choice, unless its Satan worship perhaps, but that doesn't mean parents shouldn't have any say in their child's life at all.

What's wrong with Satanism it's just Christianity reversed .

[Mythos]

Your spermatozoon, your kids. Teach them rational thinking and the thirst for knowledge.

[Col. Tartleton]

I'm going to raise my kids in an unfair way to imprint them with my values (once I figure out what they are). I think that'd be my right as a parent to shape my creation to the best of my ability as I see fit. Of course I want like 20 kids so through competition and the free market I can create exceptional people. I'm going to need a kick ass wife.