Should you take your children to church?

it sounds like you have a good attitude towards his spiritual upbringing. so he should be okay. if you have any friends or family members, maybe he could join in with some craft activities or something related to the festivals. and if he always knows it's okay to learn about other religions, and to change religion if he wants to, then, once again, it's a good situation. so it sounds like you'll do right for him. support him in learning about other religions, and in having friends that practice different things, and he should grow up happy and well balanced in whatever path he ends up following

Personally I find that faith is important. And my parents made sure that was something that they shared with me. My mother also taught me that faith doesn't mean going to a church. Faith is found every where around us, and thats the important part. Children when they are young, mimic movements. That is how they learn. So goign through the motions may not mean anything to him as of yet, but someday it will. The question is, how long will it take him to understand those concepts. You as his parent can best answer that. You know him well enough to know what he does and doesn't understand. Perhaps by teaching him what it is your doing when you pray, he'll better understand those motions. You can also always ask him what he's doing, and "badger" him with questions to get him thinking about the motions he's going through. Sunday school is fun though and a great place for children to socialize. To be honest I mostly remember my sunday school days as being games. When I look back on alot of that the importance of the lessons have been lost. I don't remember what they tried to teach me. When I was older things began to mean more. I don't think in my situation that I was able to learn much of any faith at a young age, I think I was too busy learning the mysterious of the world. I was about ten myself when it made sense, but my parents let me find my faith, going to different churches and reading. They encouraged that I ask them questions and gave me what answers they could. I'm not a parent, But I am an aunt, and I spend alot of the weekends with my nephew, whose about the same age. If it was me I would continue taking him to church, but then also take time yourself to sit down with him and explain the concepts w/the religion itself. Its just a matter of learning. Time will let him learn, but the focus should be guiding him towards faith and spirituality, being willing to hear that he may questions something you find faith in. And should it come to it, letting him explore and read on different religions.

If you approve of the church, then going to just one should be fine. It will allow him to make friends, and get comfortable enough to ask questions. If you feel that what they are teaching is right, then don't worry about it. Having a steady, familiar place to go is better than going to a new church every few weeks.

I think the book of proverbs express it this way "Train up a child in a way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it". As a parent you don't mean no harm for a child and bringing them in Sunday school does not only develop their sense of religiousity but the ability to to develop their values which eventually be helpful in their growing years. I have expressed that myself as a believer of Sunday school and being raised one, it is where I learn to be confident in my self its not being "brain washed" thing, but I was able to decide that for my self that there is a God out there. I mean there are people raised in some religious activities but eventually decided to be negative about it, what I mean is your son would eventually makes a decision of his own, when he chooses it to be that way then better or maybe he decided something else. And besides, the best thing is you are there for him to guide him whatever confuses him or instill to him whatever you think is true. You are still being look up to your kid. The bottom line is, parents must able to bring what is best for their children. And I think Sunday school is one it.

I guess we are on the same boat when it comes to our children being exposed to church, religion, faith and all. But i don't think there should be any reason to be alarmed. I am quite positive that this is the best place where we could nurture them and plant the seed of the word in their heart but not to brainwash them. I actually grew in a sunday school environment myself. when i went to college, i came to explore more of life, but the things i've learned during those sundays never left me. I came to a personal understanding of my salvation and a truly personal relationship with God.

I've been thinking a lot about taking my kids to church as well. We always went tot he same church and were raised Baptist growing up, however my children's father was taken to several churches to decide which religon they wanted to be. That seems like a good idea but my boyfreind really doesn't know what religon he is and when we talk about religion it seems as if he doesn't really know what he believes. So I'm not sure what I'm going to do with my children either.

it's nothing wrong with it. as he grows older he will have his own thought about the whole church thing. i used to go to church on sundays,and there was like bible studies i went twice a week. but now i dont atten church anymore. and i allowed my kids to decide once they got old enough

Hi glords~I don't think that you should be so hard on yourself first of all. If you enjoy going to church it's ok for you to take your son. When he gets old enough believe me he will decide for himself if he wants to truly go or not. He will not just go through the motions for the rest of his life! When he is old enough to really understand and make his own decisions he will have plenty to say and plenty of time to say it! So for now no harm is being done! He is just a sweet little boy that is enjoying himself. If this is what you want to do for now then I don't think it's a bad thing. He really doesn't understand which church is which anyway yet.

You're so lucky for having a son at his young age appreciating entering the church, After all the church would never be a bad influence. Folding his arms in prayer is not that concerning, his actions would bring him blessings. Exposing children to religion is making them aware of having God, the almighty and the creator. God loving and God fearing children are the ones who are in the right track. I assure you with your child's actions would turn him into a good man and you'll never regret allowing him to continue his desire in knowing God and following his teachings.

You're so lucky to have a child like him who appreciates entering the church after all the church would not be a bad influence. Taking him to the church would never be harmful and folding his arms in prayer at his age is not that concerning. I bet he would be a good child and you'll never regret allowing him to do positive actions towards religion.

I used to take my son to church but to be honest I dont think a religious back ground is that important in the 21st century. We are catholic's but to be a catholic I dont think you have to go to church every week. Just follow what your faith says. So in answer to your question yes my son went to church but now he finds it boring so we go and play football instead as I seriously think sports and life skills and meeting friends is alot more important to going to church when he finds it boring.

Children should be given an early exposure to religion and spiritual life. Bringing him to sunday services is a good start. It give them an early start in life to be god fearing and create an interest in religion. They might not understand it but as they grow older they will eventually learn the good teachings of the church that has been instilled in them from young.

I also take my daughter to sunday school and she loves it as well--the singing, the kids, the snacks... I think, as parents who are spiritual, we have a responsibility to our children to introduce them to our spirituality. My daughter is almost 5. Obviously she is still too young to know what path she wants to go down spiritually. I believe as our children grow up, they will be exposed to many things on their own..they will be able to choose their own path...i see this happen many times. You know he may be going thru the motions now but the older he gets the more he will understand and the more he will question and the more he will start to form his own opinion on what he wants spiritually--the key is to support him on whatever path he chooses and not to "make" him take the spiritual path you are on unless that is what he wants. I grew up going to church and made my own choice to stop going when i was in high school...i went down many different paths to find out what i wanted, who i was, and where i needed to be. I am now almost 30 and have found my spirituality again from my own understandings and thoughts and opinions that ive made on my own. So right now, yes he is going thru the motions and our kids dont fully understand the whole concept of it but i believe it gives our kids something to look forward to and something to have hope in and as they get older, they will be choosing their own path in life.

For me religion is very important. It is modern thinking that it is not important, but who believe to God is happy, it is easier to make friends, have less problem. I'm sure of it!