Does anyone else feel like religion could give a child self esteem problems? This is a serious question, and not meant to offend. However I do feel that constantly telling someone they are a "sinner" could do some serious damage. Even to an adult, could it not be damaging to always hear that you are not good enough? Serious, thoughtful answers only, please?
2006-12-07 10:39:18 · 20 answers · asked by Amanda D 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Some religions most assuredly. Any belief that tells a child that they are a special creation of God and that he has a plan for their life make exactly for them would not fall into the afformentioned catagory, imo.
2006-12-07 10:43:16 · answer #1 · answered by Archer Christifori 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religion has done some terrible things to children. It may be the way the religion is presented more than the religion itself though. Telling kids all their life that everything that comes natural to them throughout puberty is a sin can screw them up. And basically telling them to feel guilty about things that are simple childhood mistakes must stick in their minds making them thing they are all around "bad". Researching the way the present day bible was written, who wrote it, and that they were all men who were suaded by their jealousy's and present day ways shows you why the Bible is so Male dominating. Those people (King James people and others of that time) believed dinosaur bones were dragons and the world was flat too. So we have all grown up around opinions stressed in these versions of the Bible, mainly targeting females as the sinners, and are told all along that it's a sin to question their wisdom and we all have to follow it or go to hell. If you tell a kid often enough he or she is nothing but bad, they give up because they don't think they can be anything else.
2006-12-07 18:47:59 · answer #2 · answered by cblrdy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion has always been a place of refuge -- I know I'm not perfect, but neither is anyone else, so we all keep trying to be the best we can. To be told I am a sinner and there's nothing I can do about it is hurtful; to be told that I am not perfect, but be the best you can be is much more reasonable. My religion is, to me, a hospital where sick people can go to be better, learn more, feel better, not a museum where only saints need apply and nobody can touch them.
2006-12-07 18:43:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that is true especially for Catholicism, but not for evangelical Christianity. There are probably other religions that make one feel that way, also. I was a Methodist growing up in a predominantly Mormon town, so I felt low self esteem a lot because of it (kids wouldn't hang out with me because they thought I was bad because I wasn't Mormon). So I think kids could have low self esteem in many ways. Religion could also boost self-esteem!
2006-12-07 18:42:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I actually do believe in a higher power (even though some of my questions I've asked seem to be against it cuz i believe in evolution as well):but yes I agree it ruined my self-esteem growing up Catholic and all- i think you should raise your child with an open mind and an open heart .
2006-12-07 18:43:07 · answer #5 · answered by Art 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religion needs you to feel guilty and helpless. If you are guilty of something that only God can rectify and you can't talk to him (busy schedule and all, you know how it is), then you need the church to stand in for you and bargain your way into the pleasures of the afterlife. All religions operate on two premises, you aren't good enough, and you can't correct that on your own. Quite the little setup, isn't it?
2006-12-07 18:44:05 · answer #6 · answered by Ice 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you don't keep telling a child or anybody that they are a sinner. You explain that all people do things wrong and Jesus loves them and by believing in Him he helps you live pleasing to God.Once you accept Christ all your sins are forgiven past, present and future.I think it does more damage to let a child grow without faith in God.
2006-12-07 18:47:39 · answer #7 · answered by angel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. It's called personal accountability - each of us needs to take responsibility for our own actions. We need to start as children. Sadly, in today's society, it is not politically correct to hold people responsible. If you murder someone, it's because you had a bad childhood or ate a Twinkies (yes, that was an actual defense in a very well publicized case). But never because you did the deed. We need to hold ourselves accountable for our own actions.
2006-12-07 18:44:03 · answer #8 · answered by padwinlearner 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What do you call sin. What do you call it is you do what you know you should not (weakness or sin?), and do not do, what you yourself know you should (lack of courage or sin?).
We need adults to teach kids how to do what they should, and not do what they should not, whether you call it sin in religion, or right and wrong in society, or self control and discipline in psychology.
Now when sin gets into personal choices issues, or screwy theology, then that is a problem also.
2006-12-07 18:48:10 · answer #9 · answered by Cogito Sum 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree, I grew up in catholic Ireland being constantly told that everything i am doing will make me burn in hell, It made me really anxious, my friends as well, It brought me to the point i am now that i have contempt for organised religion, I know it helps a lot of people but it also messes up a lot of lives
2006-12-07 18:44:54 · answer #10 · answered by irishman_0 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋