At what age do you think we are to be held accountable?

**carolina** · 04-25-08, 01:00 AM

This question really stems from another forum that I visit sometimes. It was kind of interesting to see the different views on this question.

I will post what the OP's views were and the article linked to the discussion. I couldn't help but think about the the teens that beat that young girl up recently, however I know they are much older than what this discussion was really about.

Originally Posted by jayhawk53

What about babies and young children who never reach the ability to make this individual choice? The “age of accountability” is a concept that teaches those who die before reaching the “age of accountability” are automatically saved, by God’s grace and mercy. The “age of accountability” is a belief that God saves all those who die before reaching the ability to make a decision for or against Christ. Thirteen is the most common number given for the age of accountability based on the Jewish custom that a child becomes an adult at the age of 13. However, the Bible gives no direct support to the age of 13 always being the age of accountability. It likely varies from child to child. A child has passed the age of accountability once he or she is capable of making a faith decision for or against Christ

What about children that are born evil? Like Robert Thompson and Jon Venables They were ten years old when they killed James Bulger. Do you think they were too young to be held accountable?

Is there an age at which things change or should we know right from wrong automatically?

Do you think there's a time when we're not accountable and then at a certain age become accountable?

When I read about kids that commit crimes, or murders like this I've often asked myself the same question. Do you think that how one is brought up, the environment that they have to live in has a direct affect on why these kids do these things?