Is it a breach of human rights to indoctrinate children into a religion?

Question

I certanaly think so. One of the basic human right is freedom to choose religion. A child is far to young to choose their own religion so when a parent chooses it for them knowing fully that by bringing them up only in this one religion they will be stuck with it for the rest of their life it takes away that person’s right to choose their religion.

Answer 1

yes it is a breach to a childs right but they are force fed it from the minute they are able to comprehend stories they learn it at school they learn it on street corners where people preach the reasonings of god they are taught it at christmas

If you worship a religion you do it by choice a child also as the right to choose what they believe

Answer 2

Where do we get our rights from? Who determine's what are rights and priveleges? The United States of Americas system of government is based on a belief that our rights are given by GOD and that no man can take those rights away.

If people have the basic right of freedom of religion and the religion of that person states obligates the parent to raise their children in the parents faith how do you stop that? You would have to deny someone the right to practice their religion. There is no easy answer. In Western Society we don't have theocratic regimes forcing adherences to any particular faith. If a child chooses not to practice the faith of their parents the parents has no say after a certain age.

Answer 3

Parents in all cultures feel a duty to pass on their values & beliefs. This includes courtesies, customs, history and language as well as religious belief.

As you point out, a child is to young to make its own decisions about many things in life. That is why every culture assigns great importance to parents making the choices for the child until such time as the child is considered old enough to choose for themselves.

Using your logic, an American parent should not 'indoctrinate' his child into speaking English or saying 'Excuse me'! After all, shouldn't the child have the 'right' to decide for himself which language he will speak and which courtesies he will follow? Obviously, that is pretty silly.

When a child becomes an adult, they choose where they will live, what customs they will embrace, and what religion they will follow. I have met a lot of people who have walked away from religion as adults. I have met just as many that were raised without it and choose to emabrace it.

Answer 4

There is nothing wrong with teaching a child about religion,but it's too personal a choice for anyone but the person himself to make. Probably by age 12 or so they will be mature enough to explore the possibilities for themselves. When they do choose, the parents should accept it, even if they don't like the choice.

Answer 5

Is it a breach of human rights to indoctrinate children OUT of a religion?

There has never been a society in all of recorded human history that did not worship something. If you try to pour buckets of cold water over all religions, you will deprive children of their basic human right to inherit the societal benefits of religion. One of the less appreciated benefits is the ability to weigh up claims of truth (okay, granted lots of religious people are the worst culprits here). But people who genuinely seek after truth do not fear examination and opposing evidence. So if the idea of your children being indoctrinated with religion scares you, look for religious people who have considered "the opposition's" claims and worked out the arguments involved. That will lead you to religion that is NOT clear cut, black and white, but which acknowledges its limits and the fact that reform is always a desirable option.

Answer 6

I understand
But where will they start to think of the moral values ?
They dont have any in public schools. No ! keep the bible studies and catachism. Children up to 16-18 need instructions to establish what is right or wrong. Have you seen their floosey peers. And the less than moral enviroment of the Tv and movies?
The parents are financialy responsible for their action until 18. Human rights??? It is damn you if you don't and Jail if they do
BTW "you think so" How did you escape it? Never mind fool

Answer 7

"Indoctrination" is basically yet another word for "coaching" (albeit with a detrimental connotation). If a verify believes something to be good then they could be a fool to no longer teach it to their babies. It quite is an unlucky certainty that some mom and dad will teach their babies terrible issues (like the examples you presented) yet i do no longer think of that those situations happen very oftentimes.

Answer 8

yes, it is a breach of human rights. a child should be left until the age of 15/16 to decide for themselves. it is only the church that forces/ brainwashes people into believing that they should have their children baptised or whatever.

Answer 9

Uh. If a child's parents want to teach thier son/daughter to follow a certain religion that fine and dandy. If they force thier children, that's wrong.

Children have too many rights. They are becoming more and more rebellious.

Answer 10

No, it is called being a parent. This idea of letting kids go anyway they want is baloney. You teach your kids all kinds of things like manners, how to dress, etc. etc. teaching them your faith is part of the freedom in this country. If a child decides at adulthood they do not want to practise that faith then that is their decision. I think parents who neglect this teaching are poor parents.