Speaking as a mother of 2, yah, this is BS!! Slapping a child across the face and then telling him that he'd better be ready for church? NOt the best idea. Of course parents have the right to raise thier child in any manner they see fit and religion plays into this as well. I can not say that I have raised my children in a "religious" god fearing invinroment, but I can say that I have instilled a sence of spiritually in them.and taught them to respect others erligious beliefs. They know that they can always talk to me and I have never forced religion on them. Call me a bad parent if you will, but I don't agree with forcing a child or anyone else for that matter to shame them into a decision of faith. My 6 year old said it best when we were admiring an old Catholic Church. He was peeking in the glass doors when he looked up at me and said " Mom, I see the cross, the benches, the holy water thing, and all the candels, but the most important thing is the spirit." We talked a bit as we walked and he asked me more. He is still trying to understand why "everyone is fighting over religion" and why so many are so many judge each other over religion.
I have read my children stories about the bible ( like david and goliath opps sp) and the native american creation stories. I pull from many differnt faiths and focus on the moral of the story. All and all, they have learned more about faith, spirituality, and beliefs then most have in there life. When I get a hair up my ass and think that something may benefit them, I teach them, but for the most part , my children come to me asking about religion and such. They know that I don't go to church and that does not stop them from going to church with Uncels and Aunts. If they didn't like the particular church they don't go back, shit they have even joined in drumm circles and may pole gatherings.
The point is that there is no real gain in forcing a child into a religious experience or choice. Ha, just look at what happened to poor Johhny, obivously he did not respond.
And as for me going to Hell for not going to church and exceppting CHrist, see yah in Hell friends. It is sure to be a Hell of a party.