I mean they're instructed at an age when they also trust Mom and Dad about Santa Clause and the Tooth Fairy. How different would the world be if, rather than just following whatever they were born into, people made a semi-adult decision about what felt the most benevolent/humane/holy/whatever?
2006-08-27 07:24:18 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
here's your sign
2006-08-27 07:34:27 · answer #1 · answered by Hannah's Grandpa 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I do believe that teaching religion to anyone under the age of adulthood should be classed as child abuse. Imagine the emotional trauma that would be inflicted on a child if they allowed belief in santa claus or the tooth fairy to continue past a reasonable age. Yet religious parents still push god right up through the last moment they see their kids.
Sickening, really. On par with just outright molesting them, only you don't leave any physical evidence of the abuse.
2006-08-27 14:30:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I was raised without religion. I have really struggled with my spirituality, trying to figure out my place in the universe, but I'm thankful for it. I feel like my spiritual insight is more valuable because I earned it, it wasn't just handed to me.
I think that parents should raise their children with the values their religion proscribes, but also be open-minded, so if their child becomes interested in Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Paganism, whatever, the parents can help the child learn more about that religion and find out if it's the best one for them.
Spirituality is a very personal, private thing, and I think it's much more beneficial for everyone if it's a personal journey.
2006-08-27 14:44:34 · answer #3 · answered by jenovatrix 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you also suggesting that parents should not teach their children to obey the laws of the country that they live in?
Or, not teach them their history?
Or, to refuse to do things that would harm their body.... play with fire.....consume harmful drugs...... have (depending on their belief here) unprotected sex with someone who may/may not have a STD or the parents values of not having pre-marital sex.... the list goes on.
All parents have a moral obligation to teach their children what they have learned to be right. Or else, they will see their children end up in jail, dying of a horrible disease, etc. etc.
Would you expect those same parents to teach their children what they, themselves, do not believe to be true?
You speak of the lies about Santa Claus giving them the gifts (instead of their loved ones), or the Easter Bunny, and wonder why they teach those lies to their children ---- same goes for this ---- why would they teach their children something that they do not believe themselves (or lies)
Those same children should be able to make the informed choice when they become older to follow their parents or not -- I do agree that children should not take on their parents' religion just because it was their parents', but that it should be because they also choose to do so.
Here again, the parents have a responsibiltity.
2006-08-27 14:40:01 · answer #4 · answered by grammy_of_twins_plus two 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Abuse is anything that hurts someone. Whether you believe in God or not, doesn't mean those who do are hurt. My personal belief is that its a bad idea to teach a kid that there is nothing else out there, nothing after this life and bad things only matter if you get caught. So on the same token I can say teaching a child there is no God is abuse. Especially because even if you dont believe in God, if He exists, you cannot change it and you would be guilty of keeping your child ignorant of Him as well. On the other hand, if there is no God, I wont be guilty of anything :)
2006-08-27 14:33:58 · answer #5 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Agree.
Trouble is, if religious tuition was left until the child was old enough to make up its mind then nobody would believe. In my opinion that would be a good thing. Unfortunately the church realises this so it has to get them young, or not at all.
2006-08-27 14:35:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, parents have the right to instruct their own children. Schools instruct children and some schools teach things that I would consider indoctrination.
2006-08-27 14:35:33 · answer #7 · answered by yourdayscoming 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I really believe that most parents do what they think is best for the child at the time. That's the best you can expect from a parent. When the child is mature enough to say "enough is enough" and is locked in the basement ... that's abuse.
2006-08-27 14:34:02 · answer #8 · answered by ohio healer 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. Check out what Richard Dawkins has to say about that:
Richard Dawkins - The Root of All Evil Part 2.2
http://youtube.com/watch?v=T27Ef_xvYMs&mode=related&search=
Richard Dawkins - The Root of All Evil Part 2.3 (hell house)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qPBdz-TXlaI&mode=related&search=
2006-08-27 14:47:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Legally, sharing your beliefs with your children isn't child abuse. Of course, yelling and threatening a child in order to make him or her comply with your beliefs may be a form of emotional abuse.
Information about child abuse - http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fifteen/child-abuse.htm
2006-08-28 13:46:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, one should be able to examine all the evidence and come to their own conclusion, and forcing a child into a religion when they are clearly unable to make an intelligent decision is a gross violation of their rights as human beings.
2006-08-27 14:29:44 · answer #11 · answered by Helen Boucher 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋