Why do Christians insist upon making their children more susceptible to the tricks and wiles of conmen?

Question

Convincing children to accept the existence of concepts for which there is no proof makes them more likely to be tricked, duped and conned for their whole lives. They get used to blindly taking peoples word without questioning what they hear. They become more malleable, controllable and more easily manipulated and sadly of all, less independent. Why do so many people insist on imprisoning their children within the cold, remorseless grip of organized religion?

Answer 1

I was reading yesterday about a priest and a minister who have teeamed up to combat identity-theft and pyramid schemes specifically aimed at Christians, who they say are an easy target. Con-men posing as retired pastors target them as marks, and these victims are less likely to report their victimization, still clinging to hope that they wil lstill see a return on their "investment."

I am sympathetic - to a point. I wish we all lived in a world where the best aspects of humanity were enough, that people were trustworthy and honest. But we do not.

Some may think it is a bit of a stretch to make the point you do, but you are onto something, to an extent. An institutional mandate of not questioning, and of accepting any authority that knows the offiicial lingo, does make a number of Christians vulnerable. Individual Christians can overcome this, proving one can balance intelligent inquiry and the Christian path, but it seems more the exception than the norm. They made their bed, it's theirs to lie on - or change the sheets.

Answer 2

You are correct. It is a simple concept of something being handed down from generation to generation. A child's mind is very easy to influence. We go through our most intense period of learning as children. This is when the neural connections involved in learning are strengthened the most. These connections are then extremely hard to rewire - unlearning. It is nothing short of indoctrination. I was also subject to the same infuence from my family. I was baptised and confirmed withut being given a choice. The only time choice was given was when I was legally able to make my own decisions. Then I discovered science.

As for the first poster and his proof.

Jesus may have walked on this earth but that is no proof that he was the son of god.
certain cycles of the earth may be in the Bible but they were discovered by man and documented in the Bible by man.
You acknowledge the Bible was written by man - man is a sinner. What does that say about your Bible?
Regarding the fall of Babylon - I predict that within the next few hundred years the government of DR Congo will be different. Not a hard prediction to make!!!!
Earth existing in space. My my. So man looked up and saw stars and the moon and said, hey there is other stuff out there - what a great leap of the imagination. You also seem to forget that it was accepted Biblical teaching that the following was true
1) the earth was the center of the universe - proved wrong by science
2) then the sun was the center of the universe - proved wrong by science
3) the earth was flat - proved wrong by science - the Greeks had this one nailed down before Christ appeared.

*EDIT*

I've just read the Biblical version of the fall of Babylon and it nothing like the webboffin says. It mentions nothing about diverting the Euphrates River to begin with. Nor does the "prophecy say anything about "400 years"

By around 600BC the Medes ruled over Iran, Assyria and northern Mesopotamia, Armenia and Cappadocia. This is why this so called prophecy was made. The Jews saw how powerful they were and expected an attack on Babylon. They expected it sooner but the the kings of Cilicia and Babylon negotiated peace with the Medes and peace was maintained until the rise of the Persians.

Just like many "prophecies" this is more interpretation of the known facts to fit the prophecy!!!

There is also no mention of Cyrus in the prophecy concerning Babylon.

Answer 3

not all christians are part of organized religion

jesus himself displayed a lot of anger towards the religious leaders of his day.

faith as a concept can be healthy. not everyone is out there to manipulate you. you exercise faith every day whether you are religious or not. blind faith is another matter.

christianity is not a blind faith. many christians accept it blindly, but it is not a blind faith. there may not be proof, but there is evidence. there are a lot of christians that chose to believe the teachings of the bible after examining evidence presented by both sides. i am one.

yes, there is a lot of ignorance and misinformation spouted by christians and every other group of people with an agenda out there. organized religion is filled with ignorance and hypocracy. but christianity is not hypocritical nor is it ignorant.

perhaps you have found another path that you can follow, another truth that makes sense to you. more power to you. now have some respect for those of us that have found that truth in christianity.

Answer 4

The fact is that they are YOUR children and you raise them in they way they should go {according to you}
When they become of an age of knowing and wanting to learn, as a parent {which is hard at times} then it is time for you to step back and let them learn and grow, however, it is your duty to answer the questions that may arrive from the learning and help cultivate them to be the best they can be

Just as a Atheists will deny that there is no God and tell their children so, when the child comes of age to decide, and they choose to believe, Will you fight them, or let the grow

Answer 5

As much as I disagree with any form of Fundy. I have to put in my 2 cents worth here.

Any responsible parent does the best they can with that they have. IF a person honestly believes that mindlessly following Dogma was the responsible thing to do then that will be what they do.

Until someone actually manages to point out to a Fundy the resulting damage of their POV then there is nothing we can do.

"You can lead a whore to culture but you can't make her think"
.

Answer 6

Hello sweet Desiree.. :)

I never made my children believe in the Lord, it was their choice..they saw my example and my life..I did not speak evil of anyone, so neither did they..I prayed for others that made fun of me, so they did also..

As for my children going to church with me..that was something they wanted to do..because they saw how happy I had become..

You see, before my life was filled with sex, drugs, lies and deceit..I was a total failure as a Mom.. :(

They noticed such a wonderful change in my life, they just had to see what it was all about..

It was their choice and their decision, to become a Christian not mine..

I can with all honesty say, that I am so proud of my children (which have children of their own now)..they raise their children with ~Love~ forgiveness, gentleness, kindness and do not judge anyone..no matter what their thoughts or beliefs may be.. :)


In Jesus Most Precious Name..
With ~Love~ In Christ.. :)

Answer 7

This may be true for a handful of people, however, my children are very intelligent, they never just take a persons word for something. Why do you assume that we raise our children as blind, mindless little cretins?

I don't FORCE religion on my children or non-religion, either one in my opinion would be wrong. I let them choose.

You have your opinion, I have mine and they have theirs.

I wonder what kind of Christians you have been exposed to?

Answer 8

God proves himself to those who love him. The Bible teaches to test what we hear against the spirit of truth and not just to accept everything we hear. Christianity is a reasonable faith attacked by unreasonable people.

Has science disproved God? If so, why are you lying to your children? Then they will grow up susceptible to liars and worse!

Answer 9

I sort of agree but I sort of disagree.

1 - I agree that you should let your children find out for themselves what things are about.

2 - I disagree in that families are entitled to teach children their belief systems.

I think maybe you should explain to your children what you believe and why you believe it. However, maybe let them figure out for themselves what they believe by studying. If they have a difference of opinion then agree to disagree but at least present your sides in objective manner.

Answer 10

There's only one reason why they 'enjoy' being scammed; it all has to to do with Blaise Pascal's wager.
They are controlled by fear; it's a virus they pass on to their children.
If there wasn't a 'hell' for them to fear they'd just be another buncha scary psychopaths.