So I joined a Christian forum...

[ronedee]

I just don't quite understand this idea Christians have that indoctrination is a good thing (it protects their children's souls against the big bad Satan wolf!) because they must then too be totally okay with every non-Christian religion that indoctrinates children with opposing beliefs. You'd think if they thought their ideas were true, the open-mindedness they cultivated in themselves would serve as an example to others, which might increase the chances that those non-Christian faiths might become less fanatical, and ultimately make evangelism easier. But I suppose like everything in Christianity, it's a one way street. They get to make the rules and you get to follow them. End of discussion.

Also, what words were loaded? The one coherent response I got thus far took issue with "sickly" (which I used because another Christian in my original thread said children need "a doctor"... God) and "indoctrination." I don't get that one.

I can't explain Protestant Christian methods of "indoctrination" as you put it. But Catholics at least stress God's Love. Not His punishment. And it's much more uniform throughout. Just because we are more organized in our teachings.

The hardest thing to do as a Christian, is to teach our Faith. Bias, and personal opinion need to be removed from our teachings. It is sometimes better to just teach religion as a history lesson, and let the child make their decisions as they grow.

I have several children (no surprise, I'm Italian Catholic). All of my older kids, have left the faith. It was a concern especially to my wife (Irish) who home schooled them, including Catechism.... but I left the faith as an adolescent too. And I returned in my late 20's. She did a great job with them. Much better than I got from my cafeteria Catholic parents who sent me to parochial schools, which i promptly got tossed out of.... for being a "troublemaker". No surprise there either.... eh boyz?

So ultimately, I'm not very concerned. The kids were "indoctrinated" well. We only "forced" them to go to church, and pray with us until they were brave enough, and old enough to say no. After which, we would lectured each, and plead with them subtly. But we never "made" them do anything, or antagonized them at all. As disturbing as it was at times, we let them choose their direction.

And the results? None of them hate us, or the Catholic faith! Actually, they are very tolerant of our religious practices. LOL! That's probably making you scratch your heads and laugh right now! But we treat them as responsible adults.

We (my wife & I) look at it like this: We brought each one of our children up to be their own, thinking person. We also taught them "everything" we know about the Catholic faith. Both Good & Bad. And when they rebelled, we left them to their own decisions. And we are hoping all the time that our "indoctrination" was good enough, along with our constant prayers, and trust in God, that they will return to Him, as I did.

And of course, common sense says: "You catch more flies with honey, than ...... well .....fire & brimstone.

I can't say how things will pan out for all my kids. My oldest is 26. But, they are good kids. They instinctively help others, and are very kind, loving and considerate to us and each other. In my book, I can't ask for more. Whether they come back to God, or not? That's up to them, and Him.

We did our job. And, we keep praying.... and the "most important" job for a parent: being a good example! They usually turn out like the parents!