> If the only religion you know about is Christianity and you've never even heard of Atheism or Judaism or Islam or Hinduism then it doesn't mean anything to say "Yes, I'm going to be a Christian". It's like voting when there's only one candidate.

That's a perfectly logical position to take from the worldly side of things, but from a Christian point of view, it does not make much sense. How much knowledge, exposure, and maturity does one have to be for the Holy Spirit to be able to move in one's heart? Basically, one needs none of these things.

God is the author of our faith. If the Holy Spirit calls to a child, and that child listens and accepts, then that is not too young, and who is anyone to object and say that one is not old enough or smart enough or ready enough to accept He who calls the child to Him?

Understanding of spiritual matters comes to each at different times. One seven year old may be ready, while one twelve year old is not. When one is old enough to understand that he is a sinner in need of redemption, one is old enough to accept that redemption.

Whether anyone else -- his parents, his minister, etc -- can determine if a child has that understanding or not, who can say? We don't know, but then there is no way to know for SURE if ANYONE other than ourselves is a true believer. I think, though, that by talking with a seven year old and asking the right questions, it would not be all that difficult to determine if there is true understanding there or a simple mimickry of platitudes.