Should there be an age limit on Religion?

Question

I believe teaching religion to children is evil and should be made illegal before the age of 21. That way you could be sure that they had made up their own mind about it.

Ok so maybe my views are a little extreme, but I was interested to see what sort reaction it would get.

The reason that teaching religion to children is ‘evil’ is that it is forcing them to believe in something that has a very high probability of being a complete lie. To make that worse it is taught as if it is absolute fact, and often can seriously effect a persons mental health. I mean just read the posts of some of the religious people on this site. The will quote the bible all day long but do not seem capable of creative thought. That does not bode well for our children’s well being.

All other subjects that are taught are generally excepted to based on facts by religious and non religious people alike because they have evidence to back them up.

Answer 1

I don't know about leagality, but I think any church that allows minors to commit their lives to a belief structure is suspect: trap 'em before they have a chance to learn any better, y'know?

Answer 2

Bringing children up with the morals and rules of a structured religion can be seen as a good thing (living a life of structure and having beliefs that are important to you) or bad (extreme cases and the lack of choice about which path to follow) in my opinion. But I can only base my answer on the fact that I agree with the teachings of some religions and not with others, rather than what is actully right or wrong. I guess I think it should always boil down to the choice of the individual though children rarely have the knowledge to make an informed decision. Therefore, parents have a difficult choice on their hands! Teaching of religion as such I don't disagree with, in the context of RE at school where kids learn about the religions of the world...forcing a child into a religion and not allowing them to make the choice when the time comes is wrong though. Some might argue that bringing up a child in a religion would mean that there were more inclined to stay in that religion. Good question with lots of layers!

Answer 3

I agree with you that there should be an age limit imposed on religion, but not quite as high as 21, I personally would say 16 or 18.
This is my view on the practical side of things, I believe that children should be able to be taught about the main religions from the age of 10, but the way in which this would practically happen would mainly result in bias from the teachers, with them teaching one as 'fact' and others as 'what other people believe'.
Having said this, if the current system (here in the UK at least) were abolished, then it would be likely that parents would simply teach just one religion as fact, neglecting all other faiths.
(by the way, I'm 18 and agnostic)

Answer 4

OK, I can agree, partially. A parent can tell when a child is beginning to be capable of independent thought with reasoning. Why not, at that time, introduce the child to the possibility that there is a God. I think children should be made aware that there are many ways to worship and learn about God, Christianity is only one way. Now this is where you lose me because I believe in God and it would be difficult not ot convey it by my speech. That is like asking me not to say the f word when I get mad. Won't happen. I am definitely not evil! If my son chooses not to believe in God, that is his decision. But, secretly, I will know that God doesn't care and my child will cross over when he dies.

Answer 5

Teach the children in the way they should go................ You by all means can choose what you want when you become an adult. Giving children a foundation is important - if you wait until you are an adult, you've already missed so much fellowship and experiences of having a church family that loves you - no matter what. If you aren't exposed to religion as a child you most likely will not seek it out as an adult and that would be a travesty.

Answer 6

evil?... hmm... you sound like you have strong religious convictions about this

is teaching non religion evil as well?

In any case....AHEM .... I think this has been done already in the former Soviet Union. As you may know the constitution of the former soviet union has the seperation of church and state clause. The US consiution has inalienable rights given by natures God and the establishment clause. So you don't care for the US constitution, eh?

but what would you do in schools? They virtually teach humanism and materialistic philosophy there which is a competitor with other religious views... so in reality a religious world view will be taught

Answer 7

i think of that putting an age decrease on some thing this own is basically undeniable silly. we are who we are in the present day, in accordance with how we've been raised, in accordance with our childhoods - getting rid of each selection a newborn has and then at some point - one "magical" day - they get to settle on their entire life from right here on out. it is silly for 2 motives: a million. it is too lots rigidity to placed on a individual. 2. We depict our futures and what happens next in accordance with how we are raised, how we've grown up - whether it is non secular, or in any different case. If a small newborn is raised very religiously and needs to grow to be a preacher or a clergyman, why no longer? If a newborn is raised an atheist and needs no longer something to do with faith - why no longer? anybody could have the main suitable to be uncovered to non-public, non secular ideals - for some human beings, it fullyyt shapes who they are. we are taking each thing removed from u.s.'s youthful human beings - they have not any voice, no say in something they do. Why might you get rid of their non secular freedom besides? this entire theory saddens me.

Answer 8

i think the phrase "evil" is stupid. Most children stop believing in Santa and stuff when they're twelve, 21 is over the top. Also it's the parents choice if their kids go into a religion. If you think religion is evil then so is anti religion

Answer 9

I hate to see a religion thrust upon someone, but if a child's parents are religious, it's going to happen. Educating your children in all religions is the best way. Then it might open their eyes to the truth and they might not choose that path after all. Free thought is a wonderful thing.

Answer 10

Actually, I think the Jewish faith has it right with putting the age of decision at 13. By that time, a child has reached the stage in development where right and wrong can be decided for themselves. Our problem is that secular culture is promoting, and feeding, immaturity!! Why can a 13 year old be capable of reproduction (God forbid, not that we wish that) but not allowed to hold religious views for themselves??

Answer 11

It should be up to the parents what they teach to their children. Making teaching religion illegal amounts to government- sponsored censorship... you may disagree with it, but parents still have a right to speak and train their children. Besides, by censoring everything outside of one viewpoint, you're essentially making up the child's minds for him. More information is better.