Serious question..?

Question

Should the teaching of religion to young minds be considered a form of child abuse?

The fairytale nonsense they are taught is, and always will be at odds with the natural world they see around them. In an already difficult world to live in, the secularity, divisiveness, misinformation and fear mongering will add trauma and confusion to a developing mind, until total submission is achieved, and a life of less than blissful ignorance follows.

Religion, particularly Christianity, does NOT have a monopoly on family values, compassion, the concept of good and bad, respect for your fellow man, and all the other positive sides of humanity etc.

Why confuse the young minds who will inherit the world we live in, so that a secular and divisive ideology can be perpetuated?

This is a threat to peace on Earth, and actively avoids/dismisses the globally uniting understanding of the sciences, which have no boundaries and is the same train of thought for all who wish to freely access it.

[Added] For the record, Einstein was NOT religious, it's yet another myth, and an exaple of misinformation.

Christians DO NOT have a monoply on MORALS, far from it!
Re-read the question..!

Other arguments forwarded, particularly from "David L", are typically predictable and very narrow minded. You have a very distorted and selective view of history, and it clear for all to see. You are kidding only yourself, and likely children too.
Shame on you..!!

Science is only your enemy when your not using it in every facet of the modern world you live in. The sheer ignorance and hypocrasy should make people like you unfit to be a parent.

Please, no more psuedo scientific babble, you are severely misinformed, and are misinforming others to boot.

Cherish the option to learn more, don't slam the door on knowledge, at least not for the kids.

Answer 1

Absolutely. To force things like religion on a developing mind is very much mental and emotional abuse. The lessons you learn as a child have a far more profound effect on you than lessons you learn later in life. Brainwashing children in anything is going to have lasting negative effects on them. I think we would have far less instances of depression and other mental illnesses if people didn't try to indoctrinate their children.

Answer 2

Regardless of what religious beliefs we as parents hold, those beliefs will be passed on to our children either directly or indirectly. The morality/ethics that your particular school of thought supports is generally evident in your day-to-day habits, mannerism, and most importantly opinions. Whether you tell them, or they see it in your behavior, they will get the message.

While I am not a believer in any of the popular religions, I am a moral person. What I do teach to my children is that many people believe many different things for many different reasons. What is wrong with presenting a wide range of belief systems, what those systems are based upon, how those beliefs effect one's life and the lives of others, and how we can all get along?

It is pretty safe to say that most religions profess that violence is generally a bad thing. However, it is a matter of fact, that conflicts between religions have caused more deaths in this world than any other reason behind conflict. If each of us believes that we have the only answer, no one will listen to anyone else. Peace will only be achieved in this world when everyone allows everyone else to live their individual lives they way they see fit. The conflicts between religions are generally based upon one religion insisting that they have the answer, so everyone else must be wrong.

Teaching a child to be intolerant of others beliefs, regardless under what guise, may not constitute abuse, but will most definitely not lead to peace.

Answer 3

My opinion is:

No, I don't think by itself it is a form of abuse. I love Richard Dawkins, but whenever he brings up the "religion is abuse" thing I cringe.

However..

Let's take spanking as an example. Is there a difference between the occasional quick bop on the butt to get a child's attention -and- a full out beating? Sure.

Is there a difference between monitoring who your child plays with -and- never letting your child outside to play? Sure

Is there a difference between approaching health care from a natural/holistic viewpoint when safe for your child -and- refusing to seek traditional medical care for your child in an emergency? Sure

Along those same lines, I would pose the question:
Is there a difference between raising a child in a particular religion -and- teaching a child that a certain a religious text is to be taken as absolute truth, flying in the face of scientific research and other people's faiths or lack thereof, and that failure to adhere to said religion spells eternal fiery doom? I'd say sure.

Anything taken to extremes has the potential to be dangerous.

Speaking of extremes, should we ever impose laws on what parents have the right to teach their children? NO way.

I agree with you on this: Christianity, or any religion, does not have a monopoly on family values. It IS absolutely possible to raise a child without religion to be moral, compassionate, kind, law-abiding etc., just as it is possible to raise a child with religion to be a lying, meth-using hypocrite.

Answer 4

Stalin thought the same way and created a nation of desperate people thirsty for truth. Look at the monopoly on family values, compassion, the concept of good and bad, respect for your fellow man, and all the other positive sides of humanity, etc. the secret police had. Da, Comrade, a place that does not tolerate religious expression is excellent for families!

Religion is not taught in our schools today, and our schools are suffering and the dropout rate is higher. Kids today are unmotivated and uninspired to excel. Integrating Christianity in the classrooms changes that and your best students are usually from Christian academies.

And just in case you missed your science classes, science often backs up and complements scripture very well.

Answer 5

This nation was built on Christian principles. It was the first in the history of man where true respect of man's equality was a basic foundation of government.

What you are suggesting is a return to Fascism. "I don't believe what you believe, so you are being punished by me."

You have the right to embrace the politically correct ideas you are parroting. However, you do not have the right to take freedom away from those who disagree with your limited view of the world and universe.

Just a note: Check your world history books. Almost all wars were land grabs, even when the aggressors claimed that they were justified by their religion.

Answer 6

You my friend, with all respect, are more of a threat to peace on earth. Peace on Earth is exactly the message of Christianity and most religions. Depriving children of a knowledge of God and how much he loves them is the real child abuse.
Are all people of religion good and wholesome and loving? Obviously not. But you can't fault their belief system for that. Wasn't it Jesus who taught us to love our neighbor as ourself? Wasn't it Jesus who taught us to serve our fellow humans and that we should be as meek and humble as children to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven? Isn't it Jesus who said that it is essential to forgive each other, to turn the other cheek, to take care of the poor and sick? Peace, love, and charity--are these principles that you are afraid to teach your children? You should be ashamed of yourself!
What proof do you have that God does not exist? To me, the whole world and universe testify of a grand order put in place by the Master Organizer. Just because you don't believe, doesn't mean that our beliefs are mere fairytales. If God created this world, then we certainly aren't at odds with it by believing in him. Some people of faith may have traditions and ideas that don't match current popular scientific theories, but that doesn't mean that all that they believe is wrong.
God is not the author of this divisiveness and fear mongering that you speak of. It is people. You yourself are a culprit. When was there ever a war that started for purely religious purposes? No, it is the greed for power and wealth that drives wars--and some use religion as a cover-up for their base desires.
Religion IS the main promoter of family values, as can been seen by study after study. Teens who live by strict religious standards have a much higher chance of being in line with "family values." It's only logical. What other system do we have in place to teach them? Not schools these days. Certainly not TV or movies or the internet! Tell me where kids are learning good values? From science?
What do the sciences have to offer in terms of morality? How we are to live our lives and treat others is not objective enough a subject for scientific research. The world will never be united through science! What--you think there are no arguments between scientists? Everyone agrees on everything? Then you don't know science...
I urge you to sit down and take a deep breath. Think about what you are saying. Religion is a threat to you because you see it as such--not because it really is. Humans are always a threat to each other--don't blame it on the benevolent teachings of Christianity or any other religion.

Answer 7

please explain how physics,math and the laws of relativity evolved. Einstein believed in God and it was the uniqueness of creation that caused him to believe.Remember freedom isn't free. America was founded to assure religious freedom.It is fairytale nonsense to unbelievers.For sure there are religious kooks out there. There are biggots out there.There will always be uninformed know it alls. It's not just Christians that claim to have all the answers. There are very many different belief systems around. They raise their children the way they want and you do to. That's America. Love it or leave it.God bless.All Christians aren't goofs. I'm sorry you have such a negative impression of us.

Answer 8

If it is ok to teach children about evolution and the like as to how we all came to be here..it is not abuse to tell them just the creation story as well..balance is what is needed for children..if all they get is the fake big bang etc etc..(when there is no way that anyone can explain how something can be created out of nothing)...then that threatens the truth in education to children...and is as confusing if not more.

Answer 9

It always amazes me when people display their bigotry and prejudice and try to hide it under the guise of social concern. You unfairly condemn an entire group of people as divisive fear-mongers, then attempt to disguise your intolerance with your alleged concern for children's well-being.

That is hypocrisy taken to a new level. You've already proven your own bigotry towards religion beyond a shadow of a doubt, so you can stop pretending that your prejudice is all for a worthy cause. The only one you're fooling with your hate-disguised-as-concern spiel is yourself.

Answer 10

i don't get more than half of the stuff u just said, HUH?, but if u are saying that Christianity is some type of abuse to a childs mind, may i ask HOW, the entire religion is about helping others, one way or another, it gives good morals, tells one the good and bad, gives hope in a world full of despair, and lets one believe that there is something more in this world that what u can see, touch, and feel, i can not see how this can be abuse in any form.......(not including the radicals)