Is it a form of child abuse to indoctinate a child into a religion.?

Question

Well according to Richard Dawkins it its.

Answer 1

Parents of young children make choices everyday based on the beliefs of the parents? My child can not watch R rated movies until they are of age I know other parents that allow 6 years olds to watch these movies. Does that mean that either set is being abusive or neglectful? Parents impose their values on their children daily not just in religous areas. That is the nature of parenthood. We as parents have a responsibility to teach our children to grow into responsible,productive and loving adults. We all have different ideas as to how to do this and what that means. For myself and my beliefs it would be child abuse NOT to teach my child my faith. I am a Christian that being said and speaking from my veiw point wouldn't it be abusive to knowingly allow my child to grow up without my beliefs and spend eternity paying for my neglect. But once she has been taught my beliefs and is of age than if she choose another path than I will still love her unconditionally. I would imagine that parents from ALL beliefs and non beliefs would feel the same way. We should have the right to raise our children as we see fit. There is no way to raise a child without imposing our values and beliefs on that child.

Answer 2

You could just as easily ask if it's a form of child abuse to indoctrinate a child into atheism. The Soviets were atheists, as are the Chinese Communists. Look at how many people they tortured and murdered in prisons and reeducations camps. And the Chinese still are. Atheism and evolution are like conjoined twins. The Nazis believed they were helping evolution produce a master race when they murdered 12 million people.

Evolution teaches we are nothing more than animals. Do you wonder why so many people have such poor ethics and act like animals? Why they act like "might makes right," when that is what evolution teaches in "survival of the fittest"?

The best way is to let everyone choose for themselves; to allow persuasive conversion but not coercive conversion; to protect the free marketplace of ideas.

Many young people find religion anchors their lives during the trouble adolescent period. It provides stability and protection. Couples find in it a reason to work out their marriage problems. Old people find peace when facing death.

Religions have harmed people. They have also saved many lives. People are inspired to turn their lives around (ever read Malcolm X?), and people are inspired to help others (how much free medical care is motivated by religion?) (remember slavery was outlawed in England because of Christianity).

Richard Dawkins sees a small part of the picture but is willfully blind to the rest of it.

Answer 3

It urks me too, but I have thought about it for several years (I am 63 years old) and I have come to a response I can live with.

1. What would be the alternative? Communes with no parents, cause that is the only way it could be accomplished not to have parents raise their children as they see fit.

2. While I am opposed to abortion, I always vote that it is up to the Mother. Sorry Fundies, but God gave her that free will,too. So even If I am opposed, urked, by parents forcing their religion onto their children, it is really not my place to make that call, nor would I, If I had that authority.

3. Children are stronger than we (sometimes) give them credit. I am certainly not accepting "child abuse", If I had my way I, I would cut certain appendiges from all child molesters; their hands, and their "you know whats".

4. Finally, I am reminded of a friend of mine who never gets anything done (construction wise) because he doesn't want to make a mistake. He has planned a carport for the last 5 years. He plans and plans but never starts. I have built many structures, I start, and if I make a mistake, I correct it. And, believe me I have made a lot of mistakes, but I have also built a lot of structures; 3 story cabin in the wilderness, a 5 bedroom, 5 bath house that I live in, and a castle wall around my house, (for protection against noise polution).

sorry for the rambling.

But, even a "wrong" belief is better than no belief. - Remember, children are mentally tough and strong enough to change what they believe in, if it doesn't seem to pass their validity tests, later.

smiles ---

Answer 4

In many cases, yes.

Look at the Bible camp documentary. Children are mercilessly herded into long sermons about sin being equivalent to death, and about their own sinful nature. Images where the children are screaming for forgiveness, crying in tongues for salvation, or holding "abortion" dolls as preachers explain that their unborn friends were murdered by government is not only unconscionable but abusive. It puts kids in a position to deal with questions that shouldn't be a part of childhood, and the kids have no way to get out of that because adults won't let them think for themselves (it's a "sin" if they don't become the same exact born again prototypes, etc).

Any system of belief which inhibits a child's ability to grow and understand the world can be abusive in principle. I'd prefer if we let kids come to their own conclusions later in life, and give them all the information they need to make an informed choice.

Answer 5

Dear Just Wondering,

Have you thought this through to its logical conclusion and asked yourself if it is child abuse to indoctrinate a child into any kind of education or proper etiquette or anything at all?

Is Richard Dawkins the Creator?
Is he a parent?
How long has he lived on the face of the earth?
Is he from everlasting to everlasting?

Answer 6

How is it abuse to teach a child to "Love Thy God" and "Love Thy Neighbor?" Funny, these were the teachings of Christ and these are also the founding principles of this country (the U.S.A.) and most all of the western societies. So, giving a child hope and faith in something greater than self is abusive? You and Mr. Dawkins and can have your lack of faith and belief, as for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord. I wish you the best of "luck." You are REALLY going to need it. And by the way, if you look it up, that particular word is nowhere to be found in the Judeo/Christian Bible. I strongly suspect, that even my eight year old knows more about right and wrong than do you. "Luck"or "faith?" I have faith and so do my wife and children. Good luck!

Answer 7

It depends on what religion. Your question is too vague.

If you teach your children to live a good and productive life, being honest, educated and hard working, hard to call that abuse. On the other hand if you teach them to be fruitless, lazy and dishonest, religion or not, that is pure evil.

Dawkins has made his opinions of religion and the beleif in God very well known, why listen to someone who is bent against all the above. Learn about it for yourself and make your own decision, don't let Dawkins or anyone else think for you. Its pure lazy to read someone else's opinions and adopt them for your own, do your homework and enjoy the adventure.

Answer 8

I believe that once the child is old enough [like around age 16 or so] they should be allowed to walk their own religious path, and thus search for a religion that fits them. That way they can have a choice either to stay or leave the religion they were raised around. I think it's just the child's right to be able to explore the world around them... Including other religious paths [so long as the religions do not condone harmful acts].

Answer 9

Richard Dawkins is making the headlines as an avowed atheist. Is he the objective one on which to make that decision?
I told my pre-schooler once that she should not touch the hot stove. I am confessing that I indoctrinated her and scarred her for life. [are you catching the sarcasm?]
I teach my children about faith because they need to be aware of the answers to the big questions of life, not because I want to "abuse" them.

Answer 10

Yes, I agree with that very much. I cannot tell you how strongly I feel about this topic. The soul is the one thing a person wholly owns, so to indoctrinate it in any way is sacreligious, abusive, an unimaginable sin. I can't stand to see innocent babies getting baptized and children being asked to take first communion while they are still to young to understand what they're doing. It is utterly wrong.

I am a person, of faith, by the way. But my faith and my soul are sacred, as is everyone else's, and NO ONE has the right to control the soul of another - not even the parents of an infant. NO ONE.