I agree with this. The key sticking point IMHO is self-discipline, the idea that we have to deny ourselves things that may feel good for our bodies but are bad for our souls. Compare the 7 deadly sins with the 7 virtues:

1. Pride vs. Humility
2. Wrath vs. Meekness
3. Envy vs. Charity
4. Lust vs. Chastity
5. Gluttony vs. Moderation
6. Sloth vs. Zeal
7. Avarice vs. Generosity

Our culture today too often celebrates the former and mocks the latter. It’s sad but not surprising when young people give in to the siren song of temptation and turn away from the Truth.

Christ warned us that it wouldn’t be easy to follow Him in Matthew 7:14- “For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those that find it.”

I am a lifelong Christian, baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection in my first weeks of life. I attended a mixture of public and Lutheran schools, depending on where we lived.

My children are being raised much the same as I was. Our faith is a gift and a joy, not an onerous set of rules. We strive to keep God’s law because of that faith. My 21 yo daughter’s rebellion has been much like that described by sunniemom. She rebels against the rudeness and crudeness of many of her college classmates. She rebels against the pride that they seem to feel in their ignorance. She also has always rebelled a bit against the mold that the homeschoolers around us wanted to force her into, but I think she gets that from me.

So, I think my answer to JJ’s question is no, kind of. Christianity does not need to be indoctrinated or disciplined into children. I do not believe that you can “discipline” someone into faith. On the other hand, the teaching of doctrine is an important part of the job of a Christian parent, so I suppose this is indoctrination. But my kids are already Christians. I don’t need to convince them of anything.

That and I think the most difficult for any child is being raised in hypocrisy. The people I have known who left as young adults spoke mostly of how their parents said one thing, expected another and lived their lives yet another way.

This is so true, and I agree- it can be true of any belief system, because it is a very human failing.

I also rebelled as a teen, but it was against the pressure to do what every other moron my age was doing.

“No, I don’t want to have sex with you just because you bought me a cheeseburger.”

“My mom wants me home by 10, and yes, I DO everything my mom tells me. Why- are you going to pay my college tuition?”

“No, I don’t want a doobie- I like my brain cells where they are.”

My big rebellion was reading novels during Chapel. But I knew what I was being taught was the Truth, and would be what got me through life without the scars I saw on many adults, including my parents. They were very honest about their lives before they accepted Jesus Christ, and I would often talk to relatives who were much older and they couldn’t believe the change they saw in my parents’ lives. My Dad went from being a womanizing irresponsible jerk to a loving family man. He went from a 4-5 pack-a-day habit to quitting cold turkey. I knew he was The Real Thing, and his testimony inspired me, even after his death (I was 13).

I just came across this entry and it is quite relevant to the concept of Christian education…and parents’ trust in our Christian institutions.

http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/the-vilesidious-letters-on-christian-schools

If only it weren’t so true…

That can happen within any belief system. There is a joke in our church about the preacher’s kids. If it weren’t for the deacon’s kids, they’d be the worst behaved in the church. : ) Our pastor’s children are all grown up and Christian, but it is to point out that the pastors and elders are no less human and subject to sin and bad parenting practices as the rest of us.

And yes, I came to Christ at 18 after being raised in a non-Christian home and attending public school. In fact, most of my early interest in religion was a result of a rather dumb ban on bringing bibles to school in my high school. After that was instituted, I carried one continually. : ) Rejected the faith shortly after accepting it, but shall leave that as personal. And then came back again thanks to a homosexual atheist. So there you have an interesting thought on the effects of secular universities on a young person.

Instead, He would sacrifice His own.