BRAINWASHING kids?

Question

Should children be allowed to choose what religion they want to be, or whether they want follow one at all rather then have one forced on them by thier parents from such a young age

Answer 1

Yes, they should be allowed the freedom to choose.

Answer 2

I think that, especially nowadays, parents are often removed from the equation. A parent's primary role, apart from the care and keeping of their offspring, is to establish a basline moral 'code' and instill those beliefs into their child. This is a simple "what is right and what is wrong" education. This helps them to socialize better and provides the child with tools for the rest of their lives.

That said, I think that parents should guide their children, and that children should be presented with information about all faiths -in an unbiased and intelligent manner.

When a child is old enough, he or she should have the ability to use their own free will and use their own, established moral code, to make their own decision about what they believe.

Children should also understand that others will disagree or even ridicule them for their beliefs because most every organized religion in the world (except perhaps Buddhism) hate each other and believe that all the others are wrong, are heretics, and will go to some form of 'hell' or receive some form of punishment. That's what religions do best: control the thoughts of the masses, isolate them, guilt them, take their money, and sap them of any personal or original thought.

Answer 3

children should have some guidance when they're young because many are young and don't understand whats going on around them.
however when they get older, they should be able to choose what religion they want. forcing them into a religion is not right and it doesn't allow them to develop and understanding of themselves- self identity and that's really important. especially when you're a teenager and your beginning to go through a phase of becoming an adult.

i believe this because i feel very forced into Christianity by my dad, i believe most of what the faith is, however i feel that it should be my decision to become devoted to it. i can never go with my friends out on a Saturday night or even Sunday because Sunday is a Sabbath day and is only for church. if i tell my dad he'll go ballistic, he's always forced me to read the bible as from a young age and it put me off. im almost 18 and i should be able to make my own decision about the faith i choose to follow right?

i love my dad don't get me wrong, when i move out i would have the freedom of choice

Answer 4

Kids are being taught all sorts of things all the time, e.g. it is ok to kill animals for food, following football teams, evolution - I'd call these brainwashing too since:

1. Eating a vegetarian diet has been scientifically proven to adequate for all man's needs and even healthier than one laden with meat.

2. Supporting/Following/Idolosing sports/film/music personalities/teams like madman. After all what do these so called personalities actually return to us in the end? We can all too clearly see how arrogant and ignorant most of these are - i.e. drug addicts, drunkards, downright arrogant and puffed up with self ego.

3. No concrete proof of evolution exists yet the kids are taught that this is definitely what has occured.

4. Teaching kids about Santa Claus - anything more to be said here?

5. Teaching kids about ghosts, halloween etc - anything more to be said here?

I think you should really examine the evidence yourself, i.e. what real brainwashing is going on rather than simply attack religion. At least religion tries to instill a sense of morality if nothing else.

Answer 5

I personally think that whatever their parents are they should be raised as that. But parents should also think about it and make a wise decision about what religion they actually want to raise their kids in. As an example, personally I don't like the fact that some Christian Churches will scare little kids into believing in Jesus by telling them that they are going to hell if they don't do what the pastor tells them to do. They are just little kids, and that is just not right to me. And when they get old enough to understand (depends on the child and their maturity level) be sure and let them know that there are other religions out there and tell them about them. And I don't think that they should tell them that "all other religions are wrong except for ours", they should say, "I don't believe in this, but this is what followers of that faith do believe." That way they can make an informed decision later in life, whether it be with the religion one raised him/her in, or athiest, or something completely different. I will also teach the child to be aware that there are all different kinds of people in this world, and not everyone is like them, and to accept others for who they are.

Answer 6

I was born and raised as a Catholic and even though in adulthood I have made the decision that this nor other conventional religions are for me, I am still glad that I was raised with something to believe in as a child.

I followed the religion of my parents and their parents before them, because I knew nothing different, but I was able to develop my own mind and beliefs later in life, and I feel grateful for having been brought up with belief in God.

While I disagree with most of the doctrine and dogma of the Church, I love some of the traditions and I am glad that I was introduced to the bible, to get to know it. If I didn't know what is says I wouldn't be able to say that I do not literally believe in it.

Answer 7

It is my job as parent to offer my children the opportunity to experience the big things in life and let them be exposed to them. I will teach my 15 year old to drive at the proper time, and at a proper time, she will be allowed to drive alone. I will teach her about cigatettes and alcohol, and at the proper time, she will be allowed to make her own, legal decisions about those. The same goes with religious education...I will expose her to the religion I believe is the answer, and when she is of sufficient age to decide for herself as to what she believes about God, then she can do what SHE thinks is best! Until then, I remain on MY job. I didn't go into parenthood expecting to win any popularity contests!!

Answer 8

Depending on the age of the child, kids don't really care about religion. Parent usually just take them to church with them. Of course the parents think their church is the "right" chruch and that has some to do with it as well. When they grow up then they can choose whatever they want.

Answer 9

I thing the question should be like this......"Should children be taught to respect all faiths while allowing them to follow the faith they think as best suited to them?"

They should first be made to learn about the plurality of life and uniformity of death. Making them aware of their own religion , culture , tradition is not a bad thing but the difference here is of what is right and what is wrong.

Answer 10

NO, Yes, No.... Children are to follow the instruction of the Parents.... As long as they remain subject to their parents, untill they leave their parents house they have to follow what the parents say. But they can keep in their hearts whatever they will....As adults or at the age of accountability They must make the choise for themselves... but always while in their parents house they must follow the parents...

Answer 11

young kids typically can't get to the church of their choice. I would say at about 13-15 if a kid wanted to be a religion different than their parents they should have access.