Are religious parents unknowingly just emotional paedophiles - raping their childrens' minds?

Question

Religious believers are quick to suggest that humanities problems have nothing to do with religion, it’s just bad choices of interpretation by individuals.

That’s a disgraceful cop-out, especially as the damage religion and religious followers have caused to the world is clearly self-evident. Over 80% of the world’s troubles, violence and savagery has been directly caused by individuals associated with one form of religion or another.

If you genuinely believe that humanities problems are not caused by religion, but by individuals who interpret religion the wrong way, then why not protect children from any form of religious teachings until they are adult and have a free unbiased mind to choose.

A baby, a child, a youth is not a individual in the mind sense, let them become adult individuals and decide what if any religion they wish for themselves, otherwise you simply rape their mind with your damaging ways – that’s emotional paedophilia.

Answer 1

You have to remember they were raped at birth too with THEIR parents religous beliefs. Very sad chain of destruction.

Answer 2

The definition of paedophilia is 'sex with a child'. The context you're using it would be what then? Emotional sex with a child? I cant help but wonder why you've chosen to use such a buzz word. Trying to upset people before they've even read your question or what? Then you go on to use the word 'rape'. oooo double buzz!

When a parent teaches their child about religion, they arent violating their minds. They're guiding them just like they do when they teach them about how to cross the street safely, or about the alphabet and math.

I can't agree with your assumption that kids can't be taught to consider other religious options before they become adults. Teenagers are individuals 'in the mind sense' as you call it.

I taught my own daughter about my beliefs as well as other religious beliefs. I told her to study and learn about as many religions as she could till she found the one that suited her best. The main point I impressed upon her was to keep an open mind. Nothing worse than someone with a closed mind, unwilling to consider anything but their own opinions and beliefs. She grasped all that before she was an adult.

Humanity's problems are caused by adults. I see no connection between holding off teaching children about religion and the zealots or terrorists. Are you saying that zealots only became that way because their parents forced religion on them? I don't buy it.

Answer 3

First of all, If you're not religious, why are you in the 'religion and spirituality' section? Next, Is this the way you atheists don't push your beliefs on us? And last, How many atheists and the like have parents who are of a like mind? When did most of you learn about these thing? Before or after you became individual adults, which most of you on here aren't even yet? I'm sorry your minds were raped by your parents!

Answer 4

Sure, but let's change the rules just a bit, and see if the logic still applies, we'll call it dietary paedophilia.

1. I was forced to eat as a child.

2. People who eat all the time are hypocrites; they aren't really hungry.

3. There are so many different kinds of food, I can't decide what to eat.

4. I used to eat, but I got bored and stopped.

5. I only eat on special occasions, like Christmas and Easter.

6. None of my friends will eat with me.

7. I'll start eating when I get older.

8. I don't really have time to eat.

9. I don't believe that eating does anybody any good. It's just a crutch.

10. Restaurants and grocery stores are only after your money.

Answer 5

I don't think we should shield our children from any part of society, including religion. We should, however, attempt to impart an account of religion, as well as other social issues, that includes the ideas and ideals of many different points of view. This means we should expose our children to many religions.

Of course, we are not all experts in religion, and the religion we follow is the religion we will know best, so this would require us to become educated ourselves. That is a fabulous concept. There are a great many things about which we know little that we are forced to try to teach our children about. If we could simply make an effort to gather information and present a multi-faceted view of the issue to our children, they would be far better equipped to operate in society AND they would have some way of choosing their own religion.

Clearly, this is not a perfect solution, but also clearly, the situation is less than perfect. The important part is to expose your children to not just one point of view, but many, including regarding religion.

Answer 6

Well, I'm one of your so called victims... and I both agree and disagree with you.

I grew up in a "Christian" environment, and I was always told that if I didnt get baptized and repent of my evil ways I'd burn in hell.

Do you know how many nightmares I had growing up as a child? I'd dream that I was roasting in hell, or I'd dream that I'd been "baptized" and I'd wake up hoping I didnt have to worry about it. I used to be afraid of going to sleep, cause I was afraid of dying and going to Hell in my sleep.
When my younger sister got baptized, one of the sisters in my congregation said "Your sister beat you to the water"... I'll never forget that. After that, everyone kept asking me why I didnt get baptized; after a while I hated coming to church, and when people asked why I didnt get baptized, I said I was afraid of water (even though it was none of their damn business).

So in the sense that childrens minds are "raped" I can definitely agree with that.

However you have to look at it from the parents' point of view. In this case I'll use Christians. Now, most fundamentalist Christian parents are fervent believers, and that's cool I guess. But they are also taught that the child's spiritual well being is on their souls. They are taught that if they don't teach their children what is "right" then they're going to Hell. So in that sense I disagree, because from the parents' point of view, the child is being protected.

I cant remember where the verse is, but it says "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he shall not depart from it." and it's true. Scare a kid when he's young and he'll be a prisoner for the rest of his life.

I believe that children should be taught that while there is no proof that God exists, there is also no proof that He doesnt, and that all Spiritual matters are personal, but serious, and should be approached with an open mind.

Answer 7

should we say the same about political Ideology?
is a parent not supposed to give over any ethics to his kids and let him learn the hard way that stealing is wrong?

what about the Communists they were proud atheists and yet their leaders murdered over 100 million people this century.

the fact is parents raise their children with a since of identity and teaching them what they feel is right. That is their job as parents in society. After that the child has a right to accept or disregard what his parents have him as have people always done throughout history.

Answer 8

There is more to the problems in the world than simply ascribing them to religious fanatics. You might want to study the history of Russia and try coming at this from a different point of view, especially after seeing the effects of Communism.

Answer 9

You make some sense, but would it not be disingenious for parents to withhold something of that nature for so long? A child may be suspcious when he grows up only to be told one day, "Jesus loves you, Timmy."

I think parents should do what they feel is right. I grew up in a Christian home, and I've become a complete skeptic, so it's not brainwashing any more than shoving evolution on an ignorant child is brainwashing.

Answer 10

I thank the God that my parents took me to Sunday School & Church with them from the time I was a baby until I was grown & left home to go to college. That gave me knowledge about God that actually turned out to be true. It also gave me Faith that was strong enough to get me through the trials of life...without killing myself...literally. God was actually there in 'person'...made a house call, if you will. Without my Faith & the Living God, I would be dead.

If you don't believe in God, OK...but as for me, I know that what you don't believe in is real...& it makes me all the stronger to know that God is there & that I can trust Him absolutely.

I will hope & pray that you will one day find that out...I can't convince you, & I'm not going to try, but He can...in His perfect time. I have no idea when that is...but that it will be!!!!

Answer 11

The bible has made it clear on this matter about raising your children. You should raise them up in the admonishion of the Lord. If you do not you will have to pay for it later. I feel sorry for your children if you do not raise them in a Godly way as you are doing them a great injustice.