Nice article, I've heard the sentiment that children shouldn't be labeled by the ideologies of their parents and I agree. There was some verbiage about choice that I didn't like in the article but I imagine it would take punch out of the article to refer to a child arriving at a belief through exposure to belief systems rather than saying that the child would choose this or that ideology. My belief is that "belief" is an artifact of the degree the person is convinced. We are exposed to some idea and we accept it or reject it based on our epistemic structure. If belief were a choice I promise that I would chose to believe in the most popular ideologies among my peer group, because that would give me the best advantage.
Belief isn't a choice.
The biggest problem with trying to "win" children for Christ is that their epistemic structure, quite often, is no more complex or formed than to accept whatever idea makes them happiest or which idea will make mommy and daddy happy. The same goes for atheism; I certainly do not want to solidify my children into a belief against god unless they have a good reason.
My daughter wants to pray before mealtimes and she gets really sad when I tell her that she can pray but I choose not to. I haven't fully decided whether or not to alot time for prayer, but I want her to respect my religious freedom as much as I would respect hers. Any ideas welcome.
Belief isn't a choice.
The biggest problem with trying to "win" children for Christ is that their epistemic structure, quite often, is no more complex or formed than to accept whatever idea makes them happiest or which idea will make mommy and daddy happy. The same goes for atheism; I certainly do not want to solidify my children into a belief against god unless they have a good reason.
My daughter wants to pray before mealtimes and she gets really sad when I tell her that she can pray but I choose not to. I haven't fully decided whether or not to alot time for prayer, but I want her to respect my religious freedom as much as I would respect hers. Any ideas welcome.
