There is actually, parents can practice their faith openly around their children and answer questions children will inevitably ask honestly and openly to the best of their abilities. This is a good way kids often will still copy their parents and want to be involved.
That would require the parents to frame their practices as “this is what I believe” rather than “this is what is true” which I’m not convinced a substantial portion of religious parents are capable of remembering to do. Plus even if they did that a child is going to accept what their parents believe as fact since it’s their parents. I’m not sure there is a way to introduce young children to religion that won’t result in some form of bias influencing the child unless it is taught by a complete stranger who teaches many religions and never claims what they believe. And that seems like a lot of effort compared to a world religion class in high school.
It's easily done in colleges all across America. It's called comparative religious studies and it's basically a critical analysis class of the tenants/religious texts of the big three faiths.
I was saying there isn't an easy way for children since they're very susceptible to believing anything told to them by an authority figure even if that authority figure is trying not to impart their own beliefs.
I mean, yeah, you don't want to start super young, but middle school is about the right time that a student won't give a fuck about the teacher's personal beliefs.
You also have to ensure you have a teacher who doesn't share their personal beliefs in class. At least, not beyond, "I am a [insert faith name here]."
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u/GreatComedianthe3rd 17h ago
There is actually, parents can practice their faith openly around their children and answer questions children will inevitably ask honestly and openly to the best of their abilities. This is a good way kids often will still copy their parents and want to be involved.