Is it child abuse to indoctrinate your children into your religion?

Question

I simply asked, people. 'truly' gave a pretty good answer, and no insults. I like her.

Answer 1

It's ok to tell them fairy tales and legends, Santa CLause, the tooth fairy, Jesus etc....
It's a good idea as they grow up to make sure that they dont loose sens of reality and understand that tales and legends are just that.
Schyzoprenia might devellop if that precaution is not taken. Inducing scyzophrenia in a child is certainly abusive.

Answer 2

I think the word abuse gets over used. I was told once my kidz were being abused because we moved to a location where TV reception was ex[ensive. This was back in times when the word abuse started being used a lot when it had not been heard much b4 those years. My children became aware of nature in an intimate way, and began reading voraciously. Both graduated with Masters degree which I think was in a big way related to their exposure to many things in reading which they would have missed had they been watching cartoons. Any exposer has it's effects, and we know not when we expose our children to this or that what the results may be and so as long as our motives were for their best interest then it is not abuse. I doubt that making them go to church is done for the purpose or intent or damaging children, and thus not abuse.

Is it a good idea?? well my guess is it depends on the child. Some churches definately turn some young people into atheists. I think if the church uses an indoctrination approach then everybody involved gets hurt. Public educations falls into that same category teaching as an example that white people have been a positive force throughout history, that there were very few Native Americans here when we arrived, and similar teachings are dangerous and have long into the future effects which are used to promote such things as war.

There should be accountable but certainly religion is only one problem area and our methods of evaluating the results of what we teach needs a lot of study. Who knew that dropping the teachings about not being duped by propaganda was going to be such a big mistake?? We should have known this should be required for all, but either we did not or we deliberately stopped doing so so our Gov. could use it on us.

Answer 3

To me good parenting is giving your child the ability to make good decisions based on information. I do not believe in God but I think I would be open to sending my child to a religious education program like the Unitarian Universalists church has, it educates on the similarities and universal truths in all the major religions and humanistic philosophy. When they were older I would share why I don't believe and as a parent I want them to have a great education in science as well as other subjects. Then when they grow up they are fully informed to make the choice that works and is right for them.

In some instances I think people really do program and condition their children in regards to religion and some in unhealthy ways. It is the parent's choice however, many parents make different choices in raising their children than I would, that is their perogative as parents. I stop short of saying that indoctrinating a child into religion is on par with physical abuse although in extreme cases (note not all or most) it could constitute mental/psychological abuse. At any rate I was sent to Sunday school and raised in religion but I was able to make my own choice later. So I don't feel it was abusive in my life.

Answer 4

No, it's the responsibility of a parent to raise a child in their faith. When the child is older, they will at least have a basis by which to make an informed decision on their own. As parents it's our privilege and responsibility to pass down to our children our moral fingerprints. To NOT do so, would be as negligent as allowing a child to eat nothing but candy, or to sit in front of the TV for 10 hrs a day with no supervision. We must guide them in all aspects of their lives until they are old enough to make an informed decision for themselves.

Answer 5

Is it child abuse to indoctrinate your children into your lack of religion? Which one serves a child better, the belief in a loving God who cares for you and has a purpose for your life, or the belief that there is no God and what you see is what you get?

Answer 6

I think it is a responsibility of the parent to try and show your child what you think is the best and right thing to do and what is not. Is this religion or just a set of moralistic values? It depends on what you believe in. Like anything, it could be made to be abusive, but in general practice it 99.9% isn't.

Answer 7

No. The Bible says to bring up your child in the way they should go. Plus, every parent teaches their children whether on purpose or unknowingly.

You may be teaching your child that there is no truth & that life doesn't really have purpose. That is your belief system...that is your truth, faith, religion.

Me, I go with what Jesus taught & I teach my three kids His ways because He rose from the dead.

PS- someday in the USA I believe that it will be considered child abuse to teach your kids about Christianity...after all they are a hate group aren't they?

Answer 8

Great question. Everybody believes in something that they call "religion". It's all part of the parents moral & value system but...I do think teaching your children Satanism would fall under child abuse.

Answer 9

Only if it is child abuse to teach your children that burners are hot and you could get burned if you touch them.

Only if it is child abuse to forbidding your child to play in the streets.

Are you suggesting we should incorporate a religion gestapo to monitor what is taught to our children within our homes?

Answer 10

That's a good question. It is at least brainwashing. The Mormons have been in the news lately for forcing minors to marry their uncles, etc (the radical faction, not all Mormons). So, I guess it would depend on the religion or cult whether or not it was abuse.

Answer 11

It isn't abuse, but the child should be able to grow up to make their own decisions regarding religion.