This happened recently to my boyfriend's daughter and I found it appalling. Believe what you will, but damning children to hell is kind of harsh...
2006-12-29 06:47:13 · 78 answers · asked by mutterhalls 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Even more disturbing is that it was her own grandmother! The kid is whip-smart and she didn't let it get to her.
2006-12-29 06:51:19 · update #1
It could be construed as child abuse. It is a terrible tale to tell.
Depending on some people's beliefs, it is actually more harmful to teach a child about God. Some people believe that children who are not saved go to Heaven regardless. This is because the innocent cannot be cast into Hell. So, ironically, someone damns a child by telling her about God and Hell.
Regardless, it serves no purpose to have a child fear God. It's one thing to threaten the boogeyman when she doesn't clean her room or to threaten Santa not coming when she talks back, but it's something different to tell her that she'll be ripped asunder in a pit of flames for not even misbehaving.
There are benefits to positive reinforcement, and there are even benefits to negative reinforcement and punishment. However, this doesn't even quality as behavior modification, as the only behavior that person is trying to modify is the child's belief system. And that should not be jacked with lightly.
It's also up to the parents--no one else.
2006-12-29 06:49:19 · answer #1 · answered by Rev Kev 5 · 12⤊ 2⤋
'These early coercive activities are par for the course in most religions. They're not always as harsh as that, but they do make sure children are aware that not following their parent's dogmas will have terrible consequences. And if you think about it, how many children would follow their parents' religion if it weren't pounded into them? My guess is there would be a lot more variation. Let's face it, very few religious people can accept children developing a truly free will. And yes, I think it's child abuse.
2006-12-29 06:58:18 · answer #2 · answered by JAT 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She didn't let it get to her, because she IS whip smart, and has it already figured out that she is not a supernaturalist, and the image of god as a firebrandishing bearded guy makes about as much sense as Santa and the Easter Bunny. And, being that smart, she also knows to 'shut the hell up' in front of her fundamentalist stupid grandmother.... good for her.... I also had it figured out that god was something else as a third grader......
2006-12-29 06:55:18 · answer #3 · answered by April 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even legally, children cannot be judged by adults' sets of standards. That is why we have juvenile courts.
That is why in Islam, children born into this world are "like a piece of white cloth" and the parents 'colour' them according to whatever belief or value there is.
In Islam children who die go straight to God unconditionally irrespective of creed, colour etc. There is no concept of Original Sin and human beings are accountable for their doings only when they become adults; (here meaning at the onset of puberty.)
2006-12-29 15:35:58 · answer #4 · answered by tomQ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is not appropriate seeing as how a 7 year old child is hardly capable of making a rational decision on anything. Religion and God are complex things, and I do not believe that a 7 year old could make a decision or actually truely believe in god. They may say they do or whatever, but to actually undstand what that means is an ouragously complex thing.
So no, bad on who ever did that.
2006-12-29 06:52:19 · answer #5 · answered by Tyler H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No because a 7 year old will not go to hell. And yes telling a child that young she or he is going to hell is wrong, and that parent will have to answer to God for that. And they also should read their bible and do some research before that damn anyone to hell.
2006-12-29 06:51:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This question isn't really a question
But everyone has their beliefs .I, myself, believe it's appalling. Then again I'm not Christian (I believe my religion is a bit more loving that not, but that's an entirely different post)
Some people are raised to believe that those who do not believe exactly what they do are evil and going to "hell". You can't really blame them for believing this, they've believed this their entire life and it was what they were raised to believe. You can't change this no matter how much you'd like to.
The only thing you can really do is sit the child down and tell her she isn't going to hell and that she must be strong in what she believes in because her entire life people will try to push her down, but if she is strong within herself she won't have to worry about it. No one can condem her but herself. Yes, it's a little deep for a seven year old but I believe it's a good message.
2006-12-29 06:52:48 · answer #7 · answered by Tasha 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's really sad that ministers picking little kids out of a crowd and tell them there going to hell. There using that as a form of control. Poor child. Children are innocent.The person that said that to the kid is not God!
2006-12-29 06:51:15 · answer #8 · answered by Apple 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO! the children at that age are way young to understad the notion of Hell. Besides, the decision of believing or not in the exsistance of Hell should be left to the children when they are old enough to decide and realize it on their own
2006-12-29 06:50:46 · answer #9 · answered by JennnyL 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No I believe it is a terrible thing to say to anybody, especially children. This nation is based on a variety of beliefs these days. If we could accept everyone for who they are and what they do or do not believe in it would be a much better place! I am glad she is smart enough to NOT let it get to her.
2006-12-29 06:54:08 · answer #10 · answered by dragonfly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋