Should religion be off-limits/illegal, until people reach the age of eighteen?

Question

I feel that it is like alcohol, cigarettes, porn, drivers licenses, and the right to vote.
It is an issue that should NOT be forced upon children in their formative years.
This is an issue that one should look at, once they have developed, so as not to be warped by premature exposure.

Your thoughts, please.

Answer 1

I see what you're trying to say, and to some extent I kind of agree BUT rather than OUTLAWING it, why not teach children to be more open minded when it comes to religions and not ask them to make a decision before they're capable.

The Law treats a child as an adult after they've reached the age of understanding (when they're fully capable of making choices based on their own descretion) and in a lot of states/countries that age is as young as 8 years.

I don't think that we can keep things like this away from kids, the best we can do is try and teach them to be open minded.

Answer 2

Definitely not, but I think that children should be exposed to as many different religions/beliefs as possible. Not for the purpose of converting, but to learn the differences, to learn why one group believes a certain way. I believe in giving them as much information as possible so when it becomes time for them to make a decision, they have enough info for them to make the best decision for them. Or even to not make a decision. Teaching just one way and one system is nothing more than a form of brainwashing.

Answer 3

Not forcing it on children is different from forbidding it outright.

I agree it shouldn't be forced upon impressionable children, but that doesn't mean that they should be kept from it altogether if it's something they want to explore. Are you assuming that religion is always bad? You're advocating the forcing of something else on children: the lack of religion.

Realistically, this isn't an issue that could be legislated. Too many things keep it from being feasible, including the First Amendment.

Answer 4

Excellent idea. I think religious education is a form of child abuse. I went to faith schools and I was taught to despise people who did not share my religion.
This is the cause of much of the trouble in the world

Answer 5

No it should not be off limits/illegal until people are eighteen if it taught more in our homes and by more fathers then maybe there wouldn't be as much violence among children. it is sad that kids are going around killing each other and not feeling any remorse over it, maybe if they were taught to love and respect their fellow man the world be better

Answer 6

well i know a religion that should be off limits permenately
but i wont repeat it
only us smart pple know
hey
by the way

pple are free to believe in whatever they want previded that it does not harm anyone else

let me explain
case and point

if u wanna believe and worship bugs bunny its ok as long as bugs dont tell u to kill those who dont believe in him

got it ya

Answer 7

Yes,and atheism and agnosticism should be illegal for children as well,as it shouldn't be forced on them,because it might warp them due to premature exposure.

Answer 8

I thought the whole idea of religion was brainwashing kids before they know better so no they can't wait that long or else religion would cease to exist, well except maybe for some recovering drug addicts.

Answer 9

I think you are an idiot.
Such a law as that would be a violation of the first amendment.

Answer 10

No. The prohibitions of those things for underage people haven't exactly worked you know, and it would certainly be a violation of the US First Amendment.