considered a form of child abuse?
2007-07-15 16:25:12 · 33 answers · asked by Zsasha 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Why would that be child abuse...my children love going to church...and hanging out with thier friends...they learn about God and all the good things he does for them...how could that every be child abuse!!!
2007-07-15 16:28:24 · answer #1 · answered by MiZz SaAk 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Forcing things on the child, yes. However, if you offer the child the choice, then that isn't so bad.
Now, to get things straight, I do not believe that religious beliefs are intrinsically bad. There are bad things that get done under the guise of religion, but the concept of religion is not evil.
Forcing a set of beliefs on anyone, is akin to mind control. You offer them no freedom of choice, and therefore are depriving them of the ability to grow to their fullest potential. And denying someone the opportunity to reach their full potential is definitely abuse.
2007-07-15 17:00:49 · answer #2 · answered by Infidelus_Prime 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That depends on the type of 'force'. If a parent yells at the child to accept a religion, or forces the child to do something against their will (ie baptism), it's definitely child abuse. If the parent sabotages a child's attempt to find their own path, it's abuse.
2007-07-15 16:31:00 · answer #3 · answered by xx. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Forcing children to believe anything is morally questionable. Is it "child abuse"...that's a legal term...and I think the one that would fit better would be "child neglect" or perhaps, "child endangerment". ...but on the other hand, I do believe it IS child abuse not to teach your children how to seek answers to their questions. Teaching your child is not forcing! We all teach our children all sorts of things and one of the most important things we teach are values. Some people teach their children from the perspective that God exists and others from the perspective that he doesn't. That's not abuse or neglect.
NOT teaching your children about the importance of values (right and wrong)...that IS child abuse! People that teach their children that it is ok to disobey the law, that stealing isn't wrong, that other people just aren't important...those are the people that are abusing their children. I may choose to teach my son that God exists...you may choose to teach yours that he doesn't...neither of these are child abuse in the absence of proof that God doesn't exist (or does exist)!
If you deny my right to make that choice about my child, then you deny your own right to do the same!
2007-07-15 17:09:02 · answer #4 · answered by KAL 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forcing your belief on anyone would not be abuse, but it would be at the very least quite rude. People should be allowed to make up their own minds, and that includes your children. Teach them what you believe, but let them decide if they agree or if they believe differently.
2007-07-16 02:15:49 · answer #5 · answered by BlueManticore 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You force your beliefs upon your children by everything you do. Where you take them. What you show them is important to you. How you present yourself. There is no way you can not pass your beliefs ,at least to some degree on to your children.
2007-07-15 16:31:02 · answer #6 · answered by David F 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Children's rights? What next, rights for insects? Inanimate objects? Fairies? This just defies logic. And you do realise this right? Because if your parents aren't the ones raising you, that means society is. And if society is, that means it's the government's responsibility. And clearly that's the case nowadays when the government is part of Hollywood and the ACLU.
2016-05-18 22:35:14 · answer #7 · answered by jessie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My kids love going to church.
If parents don't instill values into their children--who will?
Like it or not, on purpose or not, parents instill values into their children by word and deed. I counsel lots of children and teens--a lot of my young clients have been given little or no positive values from their parents. They live like their parents live--they get into trouble and then get referred to me.
I don't consider teaching children :forcing your religion" -- maybe you could be more clear. If you are asking about a person who beats their kids to repeat what they're told, that could be a whole separate scenario.
2007-07-15 16:40:01 · answer #8 · answered by hunter621 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, no. But, beating the lessons of the Bible into them is a form of child abuse, and done a lot more often than you think.
2007-07-15 16:30:54 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well here's a story for you. I knew a mormon couple that had two kids. They forced their kids to go to church and were very strict. The older kid grew up, ran away from home a bunch of times, was in and out of juvie for a variety of crimes. I don't know what he is up to these days. The younger kid grew up, also ran away from home a bunch of times, slit her wrists, and ended up in a mental hospital after trying to kill herself. This may or may not have been the only reason these kids ended up so f*cked up, but I have never thought forcing your religion on your kids is harmless.
2007-07-15 16:32:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Forcing it is one thing. Teaching it is another. As long as they have the option to explore other beliefs - or no belief - as they get older and more curious, then no, I don't think it's child abuse.
2007-07-15 16:33:54 · answer #11 · answered by milomax 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋