I overheard a conversation the other day between two people who grew up in Christian homes. Neither of these people are serving God today. In fact, both of them have made choices that would be deemed very un-christian. Teen pregnancy, heavy drinking, and a very obnoxious unbiblical world view were all part of life for them. I understand that not everyone who grows up in a believing family decides to walk the walk. However, it was what was said by one of these people that got me thinking.
“What do you expect when you have religion crammed down your throat growing up?” So is passing your faith on to your children “cramming religion down their throats”? It’s a question I posed on the web site SoulPancake and got varied responses. So your parents made you go to church. They made you go to school too. Does that mean they “crammed education down your throat”? They probably bought you Christmas presents every year. Does that mean cool gifts were “forced upon you”? Please pardon your parents for caring enough about you that they don’t want you to spend eternity in hell. I suppose if they were better people they would have just left you to burn you self-absorbed turd! (Sorry about that. Allow me to regain my composure.)
The point is this: we are all responsible for the choices we make. We’ll all stand before God to give account for the way we lived our lives. Using the excuse “my parents crammed religion down my throat” is just a horrible cop-out. Take responsibility for your own idiotic decisions. We all make them so grow up and stop blaming your parents. As parents, we have a mandate from God to raise our children by the Book (Proverbs 22:6) and we will be held accountable for it. Knowing this, I’d rather have my kids unhappy with all that “God stuff” than have to answer to The Almighty for not sharing The Truth with my children. I fear God more than my three younglings!
As the Body of Christ, we have to think generationally. The church will not end when we pass away. Lovingly nurturing our children to a passionate relationship with Jesus is an awesome ministry and should be a high priority above careers, hobbies, or other fading pursuits. We brought them into this world and we need to show them how to make it safely out! Psalm 127:4 compares our children to arrows in a warrior’s hands. We can prepare them to do serious damage to the kingdom of darkness. This doesn’t happen by itself. Invest in your children’s eternity, even at the risk of them gagging… a little…
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NICE!
That is so true. Amen to fearing God more than your kids!
This is refreshing to read after hearing people in the world say that same line, like educating your kids about God is going to damage them.
P.S.: Your photo illustration is TOO FUNNY! (How do you talk them into those poses?)
Would be a really good article to pass on to my own children were it not for the momentary slips which calls them self absorbed turds (however true it may be) and idiots. I chuckled a little, reflected a little, and was encouraged that maybe I am not the monster they presume me to be.
That’s Hudson for you. Always willing to ham it up for the camera…
amen! well put.
Ha, I laugh at this. From start to finish. Let me tell you something. Growing up I was forced to attend church, expected to follow Gods order. Where I stand today, is neither bad nor good. Okay, yes, I may drink. Excessively? I think not. I rarely drink if ever. I’m in my twenties and have no children. Adding to that I’m still a virgin. My view on consummation is after marriage not before. I’m not a drug addict and never have been in jail. Never been arrested on petty crimes or disturbed the peace. I’m an up-standing citizen of our dear Country. That said. I’m not religious. Don’t attend church and don’t read the bible….I know people in church: a fifteen year old mother, an adulteress, and kids who, though in church, drink. Alot. So, tell me do I have to serve some God to better myself?
Hey! Thanks for the great article. I totally get what you are saying and in some ways agree with you. I am also one of those kids who had religion crammed down my throat and understand how it can be a BIG turn off. As a child I was not allowed to watch The Smurfs, listen to ANY secular music, whether it be classical, country, or rap. I was not allowed to watch Disney movies, cruise the drag, or be late for Wednesday night church because of basketball practice. I could not talk on the phone for more than 10 minutes, wear makeup until I was sixteen, and my curfew was 10pm until I left home. I could only “go out” on Friday OR Saturday. Not both. I was required to be at church every time the door was opened whether it be Sunday School or the church clean up day. My salvation hinged upon all of these do’s and do nots. One Disney movie, peek at The Smurfs, or a tiny listen to Bach and I was burning in hell! After I got out on my own I didn’t go to church or talk to God for a long time. I didn’t figure there was any point since I had already sneaked lipstick at 14 and absolutely loved The Little Mermaid! I was doomed! I later discovered God and His truth for myself and I am so thankful for that. Yes, my kids have to go to church just like they have to go to school. I just try to teach them the importance of a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus instead of cramming religion down their throats.
Relationship is what it’s all about! Amen!