2007-01-29 16:56:00 · 35 answers · asked by CJ 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I most assuredly do. It is brainwashing them to believe and follow an entire lifestyle (one based on information that is tainted at best) that is damaging to their self-worth and identity.
I've known people who beat their children because it's what the bible advises. It teaches repression. It also teaches no responsibility, that everything you have or get is because of god. Most religions want the world to return to the dark ages, before science tainted their beliefs. Let's not even touch on those sects that ignore medicine altogether, believing that prayer will heal cancer or leukemia or broken bones or failure to thrive issues, resulting in the child's death.
I could go on, but I do believe that it is a form of child abuse... a minor one in most cases, but a form of child abuse nonetheless.
2007-01-29 17:02:46 · answer #1 · answered by Rogue Scrapbooker 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Forcing is wrong. I believe that a child should be raised with the same morals/beliefs as parents, until they get to the age where they start to question their parent's beliefs. (For me, I was about 13)
At this point, the child should be free to study other religions and the way that other people believe. Even if they NEVER question what they are told by their parents, they should still learn about what other people believe, to promote acceptance of other beliefs. (They don't believe the same things that we do, but that's okay.)
I wouldn't go so far as to say that it is child abuse, unless the child has expressed that they aren't the same religion and are still forced to go to services with the parents. Even then, it is questionable. The only time that I would say definitely is if the child is 'exorcised' for believing in 'evil things'.
2007-01-29 17:07:46 · answer #2 · answered by TiGeR 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No parent forces a child to believe in God. When a parent sends a child to church this child is learning how to be a productive and decent person in society. While learning the Truth about God exsistence. There is no abuse for learning the Truth.
The Child will grow up one day and make a CHOICE for his/her self to believe in God or not.
2007-01-29 17:10:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, just as forcing them to believe that stealing, fighting, killing, etc. is wrong. Children should be left to their own devices to grow up as they see fit. Parents should never try to influence the beliefs and lives of their children. Children are independent human beings, with the right to believe and grow into what they want to be.
2007-01-29 17:30:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, forcing anyone to believe anything is abuse. A parent can force their children to go to church but they can't force them to believe in god.
2007-01-29 17:04:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Most parents I know don't "force" their children to go to church. The children do what they're told - no question about it. Besides, what the hell does it matter what religion some parent chooses to teach their child? It is, afterall, THEIR CHILD!!!!!!!!!!! IDIOTIC FXCKING QUESTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When a child has grown into an adult and has had the time to research religion for his or her own benefits/beliefs, and a parent keeps tryin' to force "THEIR" personal religion down their child's throat - I still don't believe it's abuse. I firmly believe that parents are just trying to show their child the right way.
Many children stray from the right path. Some turn to Wiccan or Satanism.. What parent, in their right mind, wouldn't DO SOMETHING about that?
2007-01-29 17:05:31 · answer #6 · answered by ♥ Scorpio X 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
You can't force anyone to believe in anything, teaching your children to believe in God is very important but it must be done through Love not abuse, also when children grow up they will make up their own minds whether or not to believe in God and hopefully they will.
2007-01-29 17:06:49 · answer #7 · answered by my2cents 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You can't force your beliefs on anyone. Not even your children. You try to raise them to be the best person they can be and when they grow up, they make their own decisions. I don't think taking a child to church is forcing them to believe something, only you trying to instill values that you have.
2007-01-29 17:01:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Semantics. Do you think athiest parents forcing their children to not believe in a god, is a form of child abuse?
Athiests can't possibly have this much time on their hands, can they???
2007-01-29 17:03:05 · answer #9 · answered by The Notorious Doctor Zoom Zoom 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Is letting a child being raised by two homosexuals abuse?
2007-01-29 17:24:32 · answer #10 · answered by Da Mick 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋