Should children be forced to learn about religion?

Question

political persuasions aren't inherited but children are labeled even before birth a christian of jewish. should it be considered a form of child abuse to force your belief on someone?

Answer 1

yes


Do you want the world teaching your child right from wrong?

Answer 2

I was not labelled a Christian until I became one. I ALWAYS had a choice. In fact, when I had questions, my mom encouraged me to go look for answers. When I became Wiccan (for about four years or so), my mom knew, she didn't like it, but she was pretty tolerant.

I'm sure I'll do the same with my kids, but I won't force them to go to church after they turn thirteen. That was my mom's mistake.

But now, I'm SO glad she did that.

Anyway, in answer to your last question, no it should not be considered child abuse. Would it be child abuse to teach atheism in the home? That's still "forcing beliefs" on a child. It just makes sense that parents teach their children what they believe. As long as it doesn't harm the child, or make them harm others, I see nothing wrong with it.

Answer 3

Generally a parent has a First Amendment right and parental right to decide which religion his or her child will follow. However, when parents of different religious faiths divorce, they often disagree as to the future religious upbringing of the children. Courts are forced to step in and make a decision that protects the best interest of the child while taking into consideration the parent’s First Amendment and other rights.


Freedom of Religion – The First Amendment provides some of the most basic and fundamental rights guaranteed to people in the United States. Of these fundamental rights, many consider the right to freedom of religious choice paramount. The First Amendment explicitly prohibits the intersection of church and state. Today, school sponsored prayer is one of the most controversial topics invoking the freedom of religion clause.

Answer 4

Parents have every right to raise their children according to their own beliefs, as long as they are not introducing them to extremes. Just as they decide what kind of diet, school, language and economic circumstance their kids are brought up with, they also determine the religion.

Since Judaism is not a missionary religion and the Rabbi is required under Orthodox law to refuse Gentile converts three times, it is hard to get converts. Most of the people who convert are marrying a Jewish person or have become involved with the Jewish community. So how would they sustain a Jewish community without children taking up the faith? It is also an ethnic group, culture and historical civilization.

Answer 5

Most definitely not.
I think that a child can be taught morals and values that do not have to be based around any religious reasoning. This is teaching right and wrong (to a previous anwerer who said that teaching religion is teacing right and wrong.) Right and wrong has nothing at all to do with whether or not you believe in god. I bet half the people on death row would say that they believed in god, and did so when they committed henious crimes. Children should be raised to think of right and wrong as something intrinsic, not extrinsic ie "i better not steal my sister's drink or i will go to hell and be punished for all eternity." Fear is not a way to teach children about values.
My parents were both christians and as a child we had some children's books based on bible stories - thats what we read them as, stories. We were then allowed to form our own opinion of religion as we got older, something that i most definitely do not believe in, which is 100% acceptable to my family. This is healthy, it was never forced upon me or my brothers (who are believers.)
I wouldn't say that its a form of child abuse though, but i do think that some parents can be a little too extreme with their beliefs and need to let their children be critical thinkers. religion should be something that every individual is allowed to chose for him or herself.

Answer 6

Forced? No. I have never seen someone put a gun to another person's head ans make them believe. Did a teacher force you to believe that 5+5=10? The teacher tried to teach but didn't force. A child can be brought up the way a parent hopes they will go but in the end it's up to the child to do what's right and what's wrong.

Answer 7

Political persuasions aren't inherited they are implanted. Religious beliefs are not inherited. Blond hair is. Most Conservatives teach their children conservative values. Parents are always going to teach their children what they believe is true and right. Should we not force children to go to school? Learning to read is a necessity "I believe".

Answer 8

i would say that children should not be forced to learn about religion because force is a violation of ones free will. as for me, it is much better for children to be exposed to the religions of the world and make them choose on whether or not to engage their selves in such. i don't think it is a form of child abuse, it is not that much on the extremes though.

god had given us the free will with respect to everything about everything but then we should use our free will in a right way or else it is us who will suffer. for in every decision comes every consequence - be it good or bad.

as for me, what is more important is not the religion that we are into but the relationship that we have with our lord and saviour jesus christ.

Answer 9

No one should be FORCED to learn about anything. Everyone should be OPEN to at least learn ABOUT anything. Part of the problem with unblievers is that they're never exposed to true Bible teaching, and most, not all, have no real foundation for their claims against the Bible and it's teachings. How convenient for us that we can't get away from their viewpoints. We know it by heart. Would that we all had the same depth of exposure to the Word.

Answer 10

I suppose all religions rely on indoctrinating children. Jews, for example, only exist because their parents were Jewish.
You would have to assume that religion was harmful, and I don't believe it is, although I think it breeds a form of apartheid. So I'd hate to see it banned from schools, because it can open your eyes to a world outside that of your family.
How can it be abuse when it is what you believe? You wouldn't abuse yourself, now would lyou?
I had to add - I hate faith schools! Now that is indoctrination.

Answer 11

the Bible says to train up a child in the way he should go. Yes, I will teach my children about God and Christianity and the Bible. Yes, they will go to church and learn the doctrine. But when they are of age (around 13) and want to learn about other religions, I will let them. If they should want to choose another religion, then when they are a little older, then are more then welcome to.