I've seen many postings here about parents forcing their religion on small children. Personally, I believe they are doing what they feel is 'right', but I've also read many postings about how this practice could be considered abusive.
What are the pros and cons of this practice?
2006-07-12 05:54:57 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
it's really not abusive but i think it is silly to force your beliefs on a child because there is more of a chance in that child turning Atheist or worse and yes there is worse. He could become a killer.
2006-07-12 06:06:45 · answer #1 · answered by Savage 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
A parent attempting to instill a set of beliefs and practices is no abuse, anymore than "forcing" a toddler not to cross a busy street is. The nearest example I can think of where abuse may come into the picture would be if the "religion" would cause imediate injury to the child. Let me make a stretch, just for illustration. If a religion required the child to be killed as a sacrifice.
Otherwise, these charges of "abuse" are merely a convenient way to categorize something a person does not agree with. If a child wearing a thick snowsuit got a quick paddling on his bottom by a frightened parent, is this child abuse? If a child is embarassed because a parent tells a child that he cannot go to a concert with his friends, is this abuse? If a parent moves out of town because of a new job, "forcing" a child to change school, leaving friends behind, is this abuse?
There are many decisions that are the responsibility of the parent. There are good parents, and not so good parent. The child will eventually reach an age where these decisions can be made by the newly made adult. I read many of these postings where intolerance is the theme, and I have pity on those people, who were taught by their parents that others will "go to hell" because they do not share their beliefs. Or others who cannot stand the idea that this country plays host to immigrants. I clearly see the influence of the parents in the postings. Still, I can only think to my self that I am glad my parents taught me different.
2006-07-12 06:13:52 · answer #2 · answered by Vince M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People force ALL their values on kids -- not just religious values.
For example, a person might insist that their kids ask permission before leaving the table, say thank you when recieving something, and stand up when an elderly person enters the room. If the kid does not comply, the kid gets punished for bad behavior. So basically the parent is forcing the values of politeness on the kid.
So what's the big deal with forcing religious values on your kid?
Why are manners and other values more acceptable than religious values?
When the kid grows up, the kid can do whatever he/she likes.
2006-07-12 06:02:18 · answer #3 · answered by Victoria 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not forcing a religion. It's passing on a culture and tradition. Do parents 'force' their ethnicity onto their children? Do they abusively subject their children to their taste in music? Of course not. Eventually the child will grow up and be able to decide how closely he/she wants to stick to the traditions of his/her parents.
2006-07-12 06:00:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah...yes....to those that think that this is abuse, I ask the question, " If this is a form of abuse, then what would not be considered a form of abuse to teach?" I would assume that they would want to teach their children cultural norms and other things that can be considered abuse to someone else.
2006-07-12 06:07:13 · answer #5 · answered by cwenui 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think small children should be guided to be good, kind people. They should not have any particular religion forced upon them, this should be left for them to decide when they are mature enough to understand for themselves.
You cannot ask for more than a child to be kind, caring, to realise that they are responsible for their own actions, and not to do to others what they don't want done to themselves.
2006-07-12 06:15:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The key word here is child. You as a parent were told in the the Bible to train up the child in the way ....and when he is old he will not depart... When they are adults they can decide for them-self if they will stay in the religion or not.
2006-07-12 06:02:04 · answer #7 · answered by Sassy J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No more than forcing your child to attend school is. Or forcing them to learn to respect others. I would imagine that atheists teach their children not to believe in God too. Isn't that just as abusive?
2006-07-12 05:59:19 · answer #8 · answered by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you really cant force religion on a child the way I see it the child takes the religion that you already have. But I dont understand what you are saying....sorry I tried to help
2006-07-12 06:05:56 · answer #9 · answered by GOD-lova 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. It's a choice. Teach them the morals of religion: "Don't kill, don't lie, don't cheat, don't beat people up, don't steal things"
Don't start brainwashing them at a young age and preventing them from thinking on their own. Show them both sides, and let them decide for themselves. Otherwise, you run the risk of making the child a messed up kid who rebels against you with every fiber or enrolling them in the KKK and Aryan Nation before they can even walk.
2006-07-12 05:59:43 · answer #10 · answered by iu_runner 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋