Can raising children in a religious fanatical environment be considered child abuse?

Answer 1

Absolutely, the bible is full of verses describing or advocating suicide, incest, bestiality, sadomasochism, sexual activity in a violent context, murder, morbid violence, use of drugs or alcohol, homosexuality, voyeurism, revenge, undermining of authority figures, lawlessness, and human rights violations and atrocities.

Not exactly Dr.Seuss stuff is it?

The bible should come with an exposure warning

Warning!: Exposure to contents for extended periods of time or during formative years in children may cause delusions, hallucinations, decreased cognitive and objective reasoning abilities, and in extreme cases, pathological disorders, hatred, bigotry, and violence including, but not limited to fanaticism, murder and genocide.

Answer 2

It depends on many factors. Your question is not a simple one. Just because someone has extreme beliefs, does not necessarily mean that they are abusing thier children. I think Ghandi was an extremist, but I would not consider a child raised in that environment to be abused.

Answer 3

It depends on what is being done.

If a parent continually spanks or hits his/her child "in the name of Jesus", that is child abuse and might be illegal. If a parent uses the name of Jesus (or whatever religious figure) to shame or oppress the child, that is emotional abuse, but that might not be illegal.

It is not wrong for a parent to train a child to follow in the parents' religious tradition or belief. However, a wise parent will realize that the child might reject that belief, or reshape the belief to fit his/her personality or character.

For example, a right-winged parent might train a child to believe that abortion and homosexuality are wrong, and to support the Republican Party. The child might accept Jesus as his/her savior, and read the Bible and pray to God, and realize that God cares about the poor, hates racism, and probably cares how we humans treat this planet he created. The child may think, "Wow, the Republican Party is a bunch of religious hypocrites!" or "Hey, the Body of Christ has a left side, too!". The child may become a Democrat, and believe that helping the poor is more important than fighting against abortion or gays. This child still believes in Jesus as Savior and Lord. This child, BTW, may be fulfilling God's will just as much, or even more, than his/her right-winged parents.

Answer 4

In many cases it is, just ask a native child that was raised in it. there are many white children to they just don't come forth that's all. why would you want to belong to a religion and risk your child to such atrocities that have occurred, you bet it is child abuse and there is not a religious sec out there that is exempt from it, they simply try and hide it from the flock.

Answer 5

Depends on how fanatical. Psychological damage is abuse.

Answer 6

Well, let's see... inculcating defenseless, trusting children with the myths, superstitions, fairy tales and fantastical delusions of a tribe of ignorant Bronze Age fishermen and wandering goat herders, and declaring them to represent some kind of cosmic 'TRUTH' (without the least bit of credible evidence)... yep... I'd say that's child abuse.

Answer 7

Nah. Religious fanatics are usually very self satisfied and happy in their knowledge that eveyone else is going to suffer horribly. So you couldn't really say that the children themselves are abused... but you could make the case that everyone they meet will be.

Answer 8

I think in terms of religious madrassas of the middle east and some of our US fundie groups it does push the bounds of abuse of power.

Answer 9

You bet it can!!

Take the Wacko in Waco for instance. Sexual abuse, brainwashing and eventually killing them in a fire!

Answer 10

definately--unfortunately it is not usually illegal--just psychologically and morally cruel