You've totally misunderstood me! (I'm on your side!! ) My point was that you (generic you) can't start with nothing and then suddenly let kids loose and expect them to find or have something. It's that way with rules or with religion (or absence of it).

That is EXACTLY what I was trying to say -- give your kids the information they need in order to make a choice someday. Tell them about Buddhism and read books about it and go to a temple. Do the same for LDS and Catholicism and Christian Science and Hinduism and also be sure to talk about agnosticism and atheism. Be sure your kids know about creationism and what is taught as well as evolution. The smarter the child is and the fuller his knowledge, the better the choice he will make for himself someday.

Do you think all christians do this then select christianity for their children?

Absolutely not! (unfortunately) The world would be a better place if they did open their minds and realize they aren't the only ones who have "truth."

So we agree I guess. I just am starting from a different place than you, which is the default position: atheism.

Would you be okay if one of your kids becomes a Christian later?

Sure. As long as they don't be become fanatical about anything.

Then what would you do, if they did?

Don't know, would cross that bridge if/when I get there. So far what I'm doing is going well, no use if thinking about the possible outcomes. I deal with stuff at it occurs.

What would you do is your children became fanatical muslims?

I'd continue to love them but move to an undisclosed location.

Lol!

Probably in Canada. Near you.

LOL!! This one goes right into the AMHD Hall of Fame.

And you'd be very welcome in my quiet community. :-)

WG,

I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me. John 14:6. I didn't say it, Jesus did. He never once said to open up your minds and experience other ways. He said he WAS IT. How do you claim Christianity if you don't even believe what Jesus clearly stated. One thing about Jesus, he wasn't wishy washy. He said some radical stuff that made some people uncomfortable.

And incidentally Christianity is ALWAYS a choice. I can't make my kids believe it. But I believe it is the truth and I presented it as such to them. Call me closed minded but you will have to call the Lord Jesus closed minded too. Just saying.

And I'm just sayin' that even though I present Christianity as my truth, I will still expose my kids (and did) to other religions and ways of thinking. My kids are fully informed. We talked about the in and outs, the upsides and the downsides of choices.

I believe in arming oneself with as much information as one can, so I armed my kids with all sorts of information, but was not going to force them to be Christian. It would be their choice, but they would also know what else is out there.

I believe Jesus would approve of my approach.

WG,

As far as arming oneself with as much info, I'm all for it. My children can defend their faith and are very much aware of what other relgions believe and teach. But since Jesus didn't say I am A truth and A way... I gave my kids THE truth. The way Jesus presented it.

For the life of me I can't imagine what "upside" you presented for other religions IF you really believe Jesus is the only way. Not rying to be rude just really baffled.

Anyway, we agree at least on this point it is a choice and you can't force anyone to be a Christian. I would love and adore my Kids no matter what they chose to believe. But I'd pray like crazy for them if they rejected Jesus.

And I didn't?

Upsides: Most of them have the Golden Rule. The LDS Church is strong on families and morals. The Buddhists offer themes of morality, justice, and love, even life after death. And so on.

So basically you'd do nothing since praying pretty much equates to doing nothing.

Yup, that's all you really need, it can cover all the bases.