Could you accept it if your child changed religions?

United States
March 27, 2007 3:35pm CST
Let's say you've taught your child to follow your religion more or less from the time he or she was born. They've gone to religious services with you, studied the teachings of your religion, and such. Then, at some point in their teens or early adult life, they decide that the religion you've tried to foster in them is not to their liking, and decide to take up another religion. Would you be able to accept their views, or would you try to discourage them? Would you even go so far as to disown them?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@Galena (9110)
1 Apr 07
I would be disappointed if a child of mine wasn't Pagan, as I would worry that they might miss out on the same spiritual fulfillment it gives me. but I would support them. if they find that fulfillment elsewhere I would be happy for them. where one person finds truth, another might not. but I would hope a child of mine would be a Pagan. in my family, Witchcraft is a hereditary practice, and I would be sad to see that tradition lost. that's only natural though, isn't it.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Apr 07
I suppose there is something to be said for tradition, though I'm glad to see you'd be open-minded enough to accept your child's differing viewpoint.
@pangeacat (619)
• United States
28 Mar 07
I don't know if I'm really the right audience for this question, but I'd love to put in my 2 cents, so I will. lol. I consider myself pagan. I study many religions, and can respect and admire at least 1 thing in every one of them. I plan on teaching my children about many religions, and I hope they find something that best suits them. I don't want them to believe something JUST because I do. That said, since I am pagan, I will likely give pagan-biased answers to my young children when they ask certain questions. I've already started teaching them how to program their dreams whenever they have a nightmare. And, if they ever ask what happens when you die ~ I don't know if I'll be able to remain COMPLETELY objective. They may yearn for a definitive answer in that moment, not settling for the "this religion says this, this one says this, it's really just what you believe is true" type answer. So, they will have a pagan bias in their upbringing. If, when they are older, they decide to choose a religion that is not pagan (perhaps even a religion I don't like) ~ well, I'll have to accept that. My love for my children is completely unconditional. No matter what they ever do, I will love them with everything that I am and everything I could ever hope to be. Plus, let's face it ~ if the greatest "problem" I ever run in to is simply that my children don't agree with my religious beliefs ~ I'll be on cloud 9!!
• United States
4 Apr 07
Thank you for giving me best response. I'm glad that you found my answer worthy for that. :)
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@xnipher (544)
• Philippines
9 Apr 07
Yes, I would respect his/her choice... because i cannot force him to believe where i believe..
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@steerpyke (396)
2 Apr 07
Children should chose their own path as and when is right for them. If they later change their religious out look , so be it, even our soul can evolve through time. Religion is after all just the cup we use to drink from the waters of spiritual understanding, the actual nature of the cup is somewhat irrelevant as long as we are drinking.
1 person likes this