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In order for parents to end hereditary religion, they must chose not to practice any religion at all. That only creates tension, and perhaps a feeling of resentment for their children.

I grew up in a very strict Roman Catholic household. I have a very large Italian family, and we all attended church together on Sunday. Growing up even though there were days I didn't feel like getting up early and getting dressed to go to church I did. Not because it made my mother happy or kept my grandmother quiet. I went because I always gave me the sense of belonging somewhere.

My brother left for the war in Iraq a couple years ago as a self proclaimed atheist. During his years he spent on military posts he consulted many different types of religious leaders, priests, rabbis, Etc. He always felt it was better to have faith in anything, than no faith at all.

In this day and age not that many families attend church every Sunday. I think that parents have a right to pass their beliefs to their children. I also believe that when their children are old enough to make their own religious choices that they should be free to do so.

My daughter is 4 months old, and will be baptized on Christmas Eve at midnight mass. I have decided to baptize her so that she understands her family's beliefs and way of life. If there every comes a day where she decides that Catholicism is not what she believes then I will support her 100% in whatever she chooses.

Children learn from their parent's example and then make their own ideas. So if parents would end religion, then children would grow up ignorant of the subject. Most parents these days introduce their child into a religion from birth. By the time your child is old enough to have their own thoughts; religion should be an open discussion.

I think that parents don't have the power to end hereditary religion, but I also think it's a bad idea in general. Giving a child something to believe in is great, and then when they decide that their faith is somewhere else you do what you can. You support them, and guide them.

By showing children that you as a parent have faith in something, is empowering to them. It let's them know that regardless of what they have faith in, that it's important to have faith.

Children always copy their parents, and when they are older they do whatever they can to not be like their parents. By the time your child or any child for that matter, grows up and is over the rebellious stage they will make their own choices, and have their own opinions. Each parent tries to set a good example for their child, and personally I think that showing your belief in a religion sets a great example for your child.

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