Is it allowable to brand a child as being of one religion or another if that child has no concept of religion?

Answer 1

It's socially acceptable, however it's a moral travesty. It is why the brainwashing process is so effective.

Answer 2

a child below the age of responsibility [usually 12] has no adequate understanding of the diversity of religions that exist in the world....as u can probably guess...I am against child/infant baptism...as it means nothing to the child...they don't know why they are there and they probably wont rememebr it...adult baptism is different when a person specifically chooses to proclaim his belief in God...; then the person knows exactly what he is doing...its not the water that matters but what it represents...what parents can do is instill the child with the knowledge of their own religion teaching them everything abt it while they are young...when they grow up they will be free to make their own decisions...no one is ever born a Christian. Buddhist, Hindu or EVEN a Muslim...its all up to the individual which religion he chooses

Answer 3

It is important to raise your child with a certain set of morales. Religion helps give them a sense of wrong and right (along with your example), so I don't see anything wrong with bringing you child up a certain religion. They can always change their minds later on if they really want too.

As for branding them, all children are "branded" by the religion their family practices anyway. They are brought up with that religion and learn from the stories it teaches. Would you say that a child from a Catholic family was "atheist until he decides otherwise." I think not.

Answer 4

I'm Wiccan but had my kids baptised in a Christian church. HOWEVER, the ceremonies did not state that they were being held to the doctrines of any church or concept of God. It was more the symbolic choice to raise them as law abiding, caring people. Another thing to note, I had my oldest son baptised on Easter and the other on Christmas Eve. This did not go against my personal beliefs and was a relief to other family members that I wasn't commiting them to a particular path. So I have to agree that is more an issue of the morality in "branding".

Answer 5

Allowable?? There is no law against it that I know of, BUT, I believe EVERYONE should be allowed to make their own choice as to what religion (if any at all) they prefer to belong with. One good thing about being an adult is being able to CHANGE brands given to you as a child!!

Answer 6

I am a Buddhist. We have no rule that mandates having children, or teaching them to become Buddhist. We do not attempt to convert anyone to Buddhism (much less our own children). Most children choose the same path as their parents. But, that is the child’s choice.

I chose not have children. No Buddhist will ever tell me I am wrong for not having children. I can’t say the same for Christians, who have, all too many times, told me that I am wrong for being a Buddhist, and for not having children.

Answer 7

I have had 5 kid's and I never got them Baptized because of that. Yes I'm the mother but who am I to pick there religion. I was Baptized twice as a child both different. I didn't think that was right.

Answer 8

That is how the human society works.
In actual fact, there is hardly any freedom of religion.
When a baby is born, a religion is noted in the birth certificate. Whether the child would grow up in belief or disbelief is another matter.......
Will the child be practising or non-practising his/her religion remains to be seen, known, etc.
Right, nip at its bud = brainwash as some of you mentioned.
--------peace---------

Answer 9

That becomes the responsibility of the parents until the child reaches an age where he can reason.

Answer 10

Of course.
And I notice the fool talking about brainwashing.
A child will learn someones worldview.
It will either be the parents, the teachers, the friends, neighbors or someone else.
Better the parents.
Then the kids can decide later what they want.
But please don't fool yourself into believing that if the kids aren't "brainwashed" by the parents, then they are a clean slate and can determine their own beliefs. Someone else will fill the void. Typically the polluted public schools. No thanks.

Answer 11

Last year I taught religious education to pre-scholars & kindergardners. What I witnessed is that they have more spirituality and religious knowledge than most adults. It's almost like they're still connected to God from the womb. It blew my mind how they got it. Then when talking with their parents, I learned that their parents had not taugh them much ... so I'm still amazed where they got this information and sprituality from.

It changed my whole perspective on the Bible. I now see that it always has been the childreen who save the parents. I witnessed this through 10 spiritually gifted childreen. They were saving their parents right in front of my eyes.