I'm talking about people who use terms like 'Jewish Child', 'Christian Child', 'Muslim Child', etc. A child (babies especially) are in capable of deciding what they believe in. They have no concept of 'god' much less what religion they believe in.
Isn't it absurd to give a child such a label? Would you call a baby a 'Republican child' or a 'liberal child'?
To preempt the argument I'm sure will be put forward: Indoctrinating a child through a baptism or any other sort of ceremony does not change the fact that the child is completely unaware of the beliefs that his or her parents are forcing on them.
2006-12-15 15:13:26 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm not sure it would be labelled child abuse, but I do agree that a child should never be christened or baptised or indocrinated into any faith at such a young age. I do agree that they should be taught in schools about all relgions, so they have a good basis for any decisions, and will hopefully not go around with misinformation and misunderstanding, and will be more tollerant of others religions.
It should be up to them when they get old enough to research for themselves what they want to believe in, if anything at all.
I was never christened, as my mother believed that I should make my own choices.
To Betty Boop - A parent should teach it's child right and wrong and teach it morals and respect, not religion. Religion is a personal thing and is up to the individual to make those choices. My mother is an atheist, but she never told me that God doesn't exist, or that he does. She let me make my own mind up, and I am now Wiccan.
BB
)O(
2006-12-15 21:27:52 · answer #1 · answered by Seph7 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe it's an "abuse" so to speak. But I do believe, like you, that labels as such are unnecessary. I'm a liberal, my parents are conservative. We argue. I'm on the fence about Christ, but I believe in a God. If the parents feel safe knowing that a child is baptised (or whatever pertains to their religion at the time of birth) and that if something drastic should happen and that child dies, the parents feel as if they've protected his/her soul and that soul will go to be with their God. I guess that in and of itself isn't wrong. It's a means of protection - in their eyes.
When the child becomes an adult, I think it's up to the child to decide then what he/she believes, regardless of the belief of the parents.
2006-12-15 15:20:44 · answer #2 · answered by CricketB 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
labelling the child something is not that bad. even though they are too young to make those kinds of decisions about which doctrine they are or which political party they might choose later on. raising a child in a christian home however does mean that the kid will probably mimick whatever their parents believe. they go to church with them, they listen to the same teachings, etc. in the same way little kids mimick what their nonbelieving in God parents might say about their views on life. its the same thing. sorry, and no its not child abuse, how ridiculous.
2006-12-15 15:20:59 · answer #3 · answered by Nikki 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it child-abuse to give your kid a name? Clothe it with the clothing that you select? Raise the child with your values? Feed it the food that you purchase?
And so what if the head of the household says "we are a Republican family"? Any doubt as to what the philosophy of the child will be as it grows? Can't it wear a little elephant on its shirt? Doesn't baptism bear a similar mark of being God's property?
2006-12-16 15:49:12 · answer #4 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Church once a week and having to endure RE at school is the most that kids should get. It's important that they have some morals imbued into them but this definitely does not have to be at the threat of hell; kids will respond to the reward / punishment regime that should be the basis of any good parenting just as easily without any God figure. Kids need to be made aware of world religions, but it should be in the form of impartial education rather than brain-washing, and education is primarily the job of schools.
2016-05-22 22:37:43 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you forced the ten commandments on a child, what kind of child would you have? Do you have a problem with thou shalt not steal, cheat, murder, etc.?
Political beliefs have nothing to do with religious beliefs. It seems like it today, because leftist orgs. like the ACLU line up with liberal causes, like the liberal Dems. You're mixing catagories, which is unintelligible.
2006-12-15 15:19:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
This was discussed in Dawkins' new book "The God Delusion". He (and I) believe it is a form of child abuse, certainly.
2006-12-15 15:17:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You are forcing belief on an impressionable young mind. I find it to be wrong. Religious influence can often have detrimental effects later on, epecially regarding sexuality.
2006-12-15 15:41:35 · answer #8 · answered by nunya 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No it's not abuse if you are telling the truth and their parents or guardians are of that faith. To accuse a child of being of a different faith than what his parents or guardian is could be abusive. To teach your child your faith is natural it is not forcing a faith on them. It is what parents are supposed to do. I will teach my child to be atheist. Christians will teach their children to be Christian that is what a parent should do. xx
2006-12-15 15:23:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋