QUESTION is INSIDE, for everyone?

Question

Don't you think that children indoctrination is actually psychological molestation and should be banned? Don't you think that someone should grow up free of religious indoctrination and only when adult decide for themselves in regard to religious matters?

to those that answered that morality =religion do not have an understanding of what morality is. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE RELIGIOUS TO TEACH MORALITY TO YOUR CHILDREN.
Do you need religion to know that murder is wrong? I teach religion has taught the opposite of morality, how many murders in the history in the name of religion?

I mean I think not I teach.

Answer 1

100% agree! Children are, by nature, overly malleable, they will believe anything an adult tells them. I truly believe that a vast majority of religious people are not religious because they made the decision to be, but rather simply because, as children, they were TOLD to be.

Answer 2

In the first place children need to be brought up to think, period. Given that a person is capable of free thought, the issue of religious choice becomes mute, as well as a whole slew of other social issues we see today. This not to say that children should not be presented with a set of moral values.

My own children have been raised to address each issue, question, statement or belief on its' own merits, not on the basis of what they may have been told was true. I have a son who has converted to Catholicism, one who is agnostic and one still looking at the the options. I do not deny any their choices or beliefs. I am proud they have the where-with-all to make a choice and they all understand they live with the consequences of their choices, in religion and in all other matters.

Answer 3

I disagree. Even if a child is supposedly "free" of religious "indoctrination," they're still being "indoctrinated" with the lack of religion.

You know, I'm a Christian, but I have NO issue with people raising their children atheist, agnostic, Buddhist, Muslim, pagan, Wiccan, Hindu or WHATEVER. It's up to the PARENTS, and no, it is NOT "psychological molestation." As long as parents attempt to raise their children to be productive, respectful, and respectable citizens, I couldn't care less WHAT religion they're raised with or not raised with.

It is NOBODY'S business how a parent raises their child, as long as there is no abuse involved. Teaching one's children one's beliefs is NOT abuse.

Edit: I also propose that this becomes a drinking question. It comes up at LEAST once a day, in one form or another. Children are still free to choose their own religion. I chose Christianity eight months ago. Everyone else has the right to choose their religion, and parents have the right to teach their children whatever they want.

Answer 4

That's like saying that children shouldn't be given rules and discipline when they are growing up... they can figure it all out later. Hey, and let's not even bother sending them to school when they are little... they'll decide when they are old enough whether they want to go to school or not.
It's just not a reasonable suggestion.
While there are a very small handful of religious groups that have questionable lifestyles, for the most part it does not damage a child to be taught values and morals that they will carry with them the rest of their lives.
As parents we are our child's first teachers. It is our duty to teach them the basics as we see fit. And if we decide to teach them our religious beliefs, where is the harm. They have the right to make up their own mind when they are older. Perhaps they will stay with the faith, perhaps they will change faiths, perhaps they will give up on religion altogether. Whatever they do, they are doing with a knowledge of what they are keeping or giving up.
It's just another education they are gaining... and like with any other education, they get what they want out of it, and take or leave what they like or don't like.

EDIT: Morality does have its basis in religion/sprituality/beliefs. My morals and values come from my religion. And the morals of my Wiccan friends children come from their belief system. It's all tied together whether you like it or not!

Answer 5

I was once indoctrinated by the School system to believe Pluto was a planet.

Of course, today we KNOW it is not or so the Orwellians would have us believe at this point in time...

What is the NEW indoctrinatin. A LIFE POSSIBLE PLANET 30 light years away because some waves undulate.

Maybe we should also teach kids that when the Moon is in the 7th house and Jupiter aligns with Mars that peace will rule the planets and we are in the age of Aquarius!

Sounds just about as scienctific as wave undulations to me!

Answer 6

I dont believe that a child should be without teachings, but I do think its wrong that a lot of parents force their own religion on their children. I understand WHY they do it, though. Just as they teach their children manners (hopefully) and things of that nature, some parents believe that religion is just another way of teaching their children to grow up to be good adults. I, personally, do not believe in God, but I do respect everyone else's beliefs just as I expect them to respect mine (or lack thereof). I think that it is proper to teach a child that there are mnay different relgions, many different "Gods" to believe in, and that its also okay to not believe at all. Let the child make an educated decision. If you raise them to not know of any religion, then they may end up confused. I was raised in a semi-practicing Catholic home. We attended church on Easter and Christmas and said prayers before holiday meals. That was about it. My parents read me the bible as a child. But the expereinces that I endured while growing up, and even into adult hood, has made me believe in what I do now. I feel as though my decision is an educated one, therefore I am happy with who I am and what I believe. I think its right for every child to have the chance to make their own decision, albeit an educated one.

Answer 7

If children are bombarded with immorality, sin and ungodliness by the world at any age why cannot they be exposed to morality, righteousness and God at an early age by their parents. The world is throwing so much bad at them what is wrong with parents teaching their children the good side of things. It not in the nature of the Holy Spirit to convict anyone at a knowledgeable age by force to know Jesus.

Answer 8

I have a diffrent question. Should children be taught what is right and wrong or only wait until they are adults to let them decide if they want to be good?
A 'Religeous' upbrining is the basis for our moral values. There are some that are intrisinc, but not all. If you take away moral and religeous values, you take away any cumpulsion to be good people. We have many examples of children who have no moral compunctions ...Columbine...Jonesboro...Merseyside...etc. When they take morals out of schools, who is teaching the morals?

Answer 9

I don't agree with most religions, but I defend everyone's right to practice it, and that includes sharing their religion with their children. I don't think anyone should be legally prevented from raising their child religiously or from raising their child without religion. As long as there is no abuse or neglect, then live and let live. I don't consider it "abuse" to raise a child with or without religion.

Answer 10

Yes, but only for indoctrination in the narrow sense of the world. Teaching children to fear Hell, for one, should be illegal.

But (imo) religious education is OK as long as kids are given the intellectual tools to grow out of these myths, as they do with Santa and thee tooth fairy.