Children shouldn't be pressured or forced to accept their parents' religion

""Protestants may see Christianity as a personal relationship with God, but over half the Christians, the Roman Catholics, see it as a religion."" My father in law (evangelical catholic) would intensely disagree with you. I think you may need to talk with a priest and I do not believe that you have had a discussion with an intensely devout Catholic. Catholics follow the precepts of the Bible and understand that Christianity is entering into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who is man in the triune person of God. Anyone that denies this should not consider themselves Christian, which Catholics fall into that greater category. There is no such thing as being a bad Christian to God. Quote from this Catholic Youth Teaching: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net... "We need to see it in in terms personal encounter and dialogue. God invites each of us into a living and personal relationship of love, in order to discover the true meaning and joy of life." Christianity does not deviate here. I am sorry for your childhood experience that did not have this focus. Most Catholics agree that is a failing in their church to rear their children with a background that stops backsliding as you have done. It only strengthens my point that without the adequate knowledge of the Bible from your parents you have fallen away from the Faith that you should have been grounded in. That PROVES my point. Word usage or terminology might vary from Protestants to Catholics, but they would find your classification a severe affront to put them in the same league as a Muslim. They do understand that God is a person and a relationship is His intent. ""I was strictly talking about parents' influence over their children's' religious choices in the home."" So was I. Let me be clear. When a child is in the home under the parents authority they are remanded to the rules of the parents. ""Then my opponent assumes my resolution means that I believe religion is horrible and should have no place in the world. I never said this once"" This is called political dancing. Here is what you stated also: "This is almost the exact definition of delusion. He is being deluded by the Christian Church." Your animosity and reasoning is clear from all of your other statements without the need for a clear declaration from you. I realize you are avoiding the declaration to avoid being "hung" on the statement. The problem with your viewpoint is you must assume something negative is being done for the Resolution to be true. Your attempt to address the lack of need for religion to set morality is lacking a couple of key things though well thought out. "Public secular schools have classes on ethics, morality, and making good choices." I would sincerely disagree with you. It is not a mandatory federal core class requirement for a High School Diploma. Though very few schools may have recently added it to the elective lists, it is not anywhere near mandatory. http://www.americanschoolofcorr.com... Here is just one list for a diploma that is certified by the Federal government. However lets even assume that it might be something mandatory in the future. How does a class or two replace the necessary daily instruction of objective moral values? I also believe I need to reiterate the definition of objective moral values; I do not think you understood from your rebuttal. Objective moral values are morals that are built into the fabric of the universe, that are valid and binding whether anyone believes in them or not. The video from Dr. William Lane Craig should explain the entire concept. http://www.youtube.com... The Christian Church teaches these moral values always. There are no objective moral or spiritual values if there is no God. The previous biblical quote shows the importance the Church places on raising children in that concept. "I agree with my opponent that religious and moral values must be taught. But they need to be taught in a way that doesn't force the values on them. They need to be taught the values of every major religion and decide for themselves which makes the most sense, if any at all." This statement is incredibly disturbing. It is on par with "you must experience murder to decide if it is REALLY wrong." Or stated a different way; should we then allow Chaos should the children decide to choose chaotic moral value system? How about pyromania is ok to these people so try and go for it? I think that you are not suggesting the above. I sincerely hope you are not. If you are not then WHAT YOU ARE SUGGESTING is that someone should decide what are good values and what are bad and then give everyone ample decision making on those. That is exactly what Christianity does. We teach the correct way and then the wrong way. We do not allow our children to EXPERIENCE the wrong way to know that it is wrong. Ultimately Christianity does teach the accurate way thus showing all the wrong ways in the process. IF you know the Christian teaching then you will learn the wrong way of other religious moral and spiritual value systems. We as Christians encourage learning other religions value systems to show how they are really wrong, when they are old enough to effectively reason. 1 Peter 3: 15 "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," We do not allow Children to experience those systems to validate the "wrongness" of them until they leave our home. You can call this force or pressure but it is entirely restrictive necessity. For your last point: "There has been a lot of research saying that the neighborhood and peers have much more effect on a child than the family and family setting." Peers and the neighborhood children being an influence on children is nothing new. It is outright wrong to allow an 14 year old to teach your 14 year old. It would be foolishness. You are being taught whenever you are taking something in. From a friend, parent or teacher. You did not know it until you saw it. "I know plenty of things I wasn't taught. I have looked them up myself and I'm glad as hell that I did." You were still taught these things. Whether from a book or any other avenue it was still learning something from someone. So we have seen that Parents should pressure their children with their moral and spiritual values, the younger ones may need to have a forceful application like a spanking, these following reasons stand undaunted: The children are under the authority of the parents and must abide by their understanding and teaching. We do not and should not allow our Children to "Experience" the wrong way to know it is wrong. Children should not be allowed to "Test" what moral values are good or bad until the age of accountability. (Murder all the way down to dating) Authority is there to protect. You would certainly feel sheepish if you allowed your 14 year old to "experience" The Satanic Churches orgies and he contracted an STD and died or allowed them to hang out with Gang members to then get Shot. Objective Moral values are necessary to be taught by parents. The parents are the only ones confirmed (some exceptions) to have the best interest of the children at heart. The gang members down the street odds are do not, China shows the state does not. It is a God ordained system of Love and nurture. Spiritual values are True with one single Truth as the overruling Truth, teaching your children to have a relationship with God not allowing them to deviate is necessary command of God should you wish to ensure they do not depart from morals or the spiritual truth of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.