By all means, push it on her, in a gentle, loving, God-fearing way. Realize that your example is the most powerful thing you have to show her about faith. You will literally be god to her for quite some time (that's a psychological fact about children). If you model God's forgiving, tender, helpful, encouraging love, you can go a long way toward helping her to develop her own faith.

I certainly don't believe in letting children find their own way. We don't trust them to do something as relatively simple as eating their vegetables without us. Why would we leave them on their own to develop their souls? That's the opposite of loving; it's lazy and cruel.

You don't have to smash her in the head with legalism, but it is vital to do things like reading the Bible and praying together as a family every day. My family did this all through my growing up years, and I cannot tell you how grateful I am. It's also important to have your whole family in a solid church. However, again I say, the way you live-your own faith and demeanor, are the most important tools you have to communicate God's love to your daughter.

I was first saved at Vacation Bible School when I was three, but I have had countless significant spiritual events happen with my parents at home. They are my mentors and have guided me as I mature in my faith. I can't imagine what my life would have been like if they hadn't brought me up day in and day out in Christian faith. I believe I would be dead, because I used to be extremely suicidal. Only grasping onto the things I was taught (by God's unbelievable grace) saved me in the darkest times.

Now I have my own relationship with God, but I don't think I ever would have developed it if my parents hadn't brought me up with a rock-solid foundation of faith.

God bless you as you become a parent. I encourage you to stand firm and to bring your daughter up in the Truth, no matter what anyone says.

you are kidding, right?  the bible clearly states that you introduce your children to God and His commands (and blessing)...when they get old enuf, they can make their own decisions (and will)...but you give them a foundation....@eclipse_the_dawn@xanga - ridiculous....

I'm not a parent, but I've thought about this before. God gave his children free choice. We can choose to follow God or we can choose to disappoint Him. It is important that you teach your child your Christian values, but never ever ever push Christianity in your child's face. That would go against his or her own freedom that God had given to all mankind. And this is where the church gets it wrong in today's society.
You teach your kids your values. But let them make their own decisions. This, I think, will be important to your child's spiritual growth.

@tialoca_talks@xanga - Did I say the Bible was wrong? No. All I said was to let the kid grow up in a Christian home, then to allow the girl to make her own decisions about her faith. If done right, the parents have nothing to worry about. Do I need to spell it out for you clearer than that?

But show me where I said that. Because I'm looking over my previous comments...and well, I'm just not seeing it. Maybe my English classes aren't teaching me enough or something. Got any ideas, pal?

@eclipse_the_dawn@xanga - hahaha...nope

Children are extremely impressionable.  Let her make her own decisions about religion.  It might not turn out to be what you want, but that's tough luck and it's going to be happening a lot in the next 18+ years.  Better get used to it!  

@tialoca_talks@xanga - You're certainly easily entertained, aren't you?

Proverbs 22:6

Thanks for subbing to me and adding me!

About your post, hmm its a tough spot. I mean when they are young, i dont see the problem. If they question things, i would explain and talk about it. I know some families are like "just have faith" and dont really address the questions and concerns the children have. I know its important for children to understand and know about what they are basically preaching.

Once she/he is older, then there comes a point where he/she will continue to go down that path or not. You do all you can while they are children to stear them in the right direction, but once they are young adults, its a lot harder. They get to the age where you have taught them all you know and hope they follow and stay in church, but it cant be forced.. The more you push, the more they pull away.

It's called "education."  You have to teach your children both how to think for themselves and also what you believe is right-- you simply won't be a responsible parent if you don't.  She should have the freedom to disagree with you without being judged, but that shouldn't stop you from saying that you think something's true if in fact you do think so.  Just be honest!

Chesterton once remarked that no argument can be made against religious education that isn't also an argument against any kind of education at all.

I think your willingness to be open for your daughter is great! I think it's good to have a religious background and in her own time, she'll have to make choices about what she believes in and what she will want to learn and pursue.  My parents brought me up as Catholic; they are amazing people and want the best for me, but I've always had this want to know more and when I learned new things, I always considered it and questioned it.  I don't practice Catholicism anymore, but I find other religions utterly fascinating and am still open to what is out there; maybe she will do something like that and maybe she will stick to her upbringing.  It's with the help of a free democracy that she will be allowed to make her own choices.

don't push it on them!  too many people i know have been forced into going to christian elementary schools (where they were required to attend church multiple times a week and take religion courses) and come out totally wild and not believing in/hating God!  all you need to do is go to church, take him/her with you, pray for them, and be Godly examples...and everything will fall into place.