Is Religion child abuse?

Question

In his book, The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins argues that religious belief is—what else?—delusional. He mocks the irrationality of believing in something that you cannot subject to scientific scrutiny; he rails against the so-called “immorality” of the Bible, like the sanctioning of slavery—untrue—and the alleged way that religion, especially Christianity, stands in the way of scientific progress—also untrue.

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Related
Morality without God
Hitchens's Distortion of Christian History
Just in case his readers are not convinced, however, he then pulls out the really big gun: Religious belief is a kind of child abuse.

By “child abuse” Dawkins is not, at least not principally, referring to the scandals involving sexual misconduct by Catholic priests. He means that teaching a child about Christianity can damage them psychologically and emotionally.

Luke 2

42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

Answer 1

No, but the failure to bring up children in the fear and admonition of the Lord is seriously neglectful!

Answer 2

Yes it is. Before anyone gets mad at what I am saying, hear me out.

I was raised a mormon, brought up in the mormon beliefs. I was so convinced that god and jesus were real. How can someone lie to a child like that? How can we be promoting false beliefs?

I came to the conclusion that god does not exist through logical reasoning and looking at the scientific facts.

How would you view it if someone was raising a child to believe in roman gods? Invoking Mars when they went to war?

Its true that the bible has many immoral verses. Just read deuteronomy all the way through and you will see how "god" wants you to act against non-believers or transgressors.

The bloodshed god wants for breaking the commandments including breaking the sabbath day. These are horrible images for children to be exposed to.

And I do see christianity as standing in the way of scientific progress. Just look at stem cell research that is being hindered because of religion.

Peace Be Upon You

Answer 3

I agree that faith is toddler abuse. They instruct the youngsters approximately demise in the previous they're 4 years previous, which could supply some infants nightmares. My son is 5 and each now and then he asks me if i visit die, and that i understand that if I say "definite, ultimately", he will commence crying, via fact "who's going to seem after me?. I dont desire you to die mommy." He has hassle information time, and "an extremely long term" and by utilising the time I die, he would be all grown up. he doesnt understand those suggestions. definite he is going to a non secular college, yet that became into dad's determination and the coaching there is far greater acceptable than the everyday public faculties. I basically could desire to do my superb to reassure him each and each time this comes up. He lost his grandmother this previous summer season, and that did no longer help. while a instructor study a e book final month that reported "passing away" and defined to the youngsters that it meant being lifeless, he have been given disillusioned.

Answer 4

I believe parents have the right to raise their children with or without religion.

Child abuse can happen in religious or non-religious households, and no, I do not think that bringing up a child in a religion, in and of itself is child abuse.

There is such a thing as child abuse masquerading behind religion, such as the polygamy cults in the four corners area, which just basically serves as a cover for child rape. (young girls are forced to breed with middle age men, sometimes these dirty old men are relatives) But it is the RAPE that is the abuse, not the fact that religion is the excuse for the abuse.

I disagree with Dawkins on this.

Answer 5

Funny how some moron can profess and teach that they know so much when they know and have experienced absolutely nothing! I totally and completely disagree with him.
Parents have a responsibility to train up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Do they always hit the mark? No. But they should always try. I was raised Catholic. Was the Catholic religion correct? Not in my opinion but there was knowledge that benefitted me and my desire to know the true and living God brought me to meet Him. I am sooooooo grateful for my parents caring enough about me to drag my butt to church and trying their best to instill moral and godly character in me and my 9 other siblings. My parents were not perfect people and if they were alive today they would admit to that fact, but they were awesome people with wonderful hearts. My only desire in life has been to come close to being the character of a person that they were as I raised my children.
I have raised my children in the way I believe God wanted me to and I will be the first to admit that in some respects I have failed but I have pointed my children in the direction of this God who loves them and cares for them. I know that they have been given the opportunity to make it on this earth and later to get to heaven.
I know that there are things that happen in various situations that are not good. DON'T THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATHWATER!!! God is real, He does love you! Realize that people make mistakes but God never fails! If you will just go to God in your own little private place and ask Him with a genuine heart to reveal Himself to you, He will. Stop listening to fools who don't know God. Go to God for yourself!!!

BECKY B THAT WAS SOOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL! I wish I could email you and tell you so. You made my day!

Answer 6

Religion is child abuse. Fear, guilt, condemnation, the whole nine yards. I was raised in it and now I'm having to make the best of it. Fixing what I can as I go. You have no argument that can stand up against my experience. So, unless you have been there, I suggest you talk on a subject you at least know something about.

Answer 7

Jesus might have had a very high IQ in regards to learning.

Was Joseph a lay preacher and taught Jesus from his knowledge.

As a carpenter Joseph would have known how to read and write in Hebrew or Aramaic for giving quotes and ordering timber from afar.

Answer 8

I think Dawkins wants people to bow down and worship HIS beliefs, don't you? For someone so intelligent, he can be ignorant. We all know all walks of life can and do abuse children. When a parent is fanatical about anything, and tries to 'force' their belief on their children, that can be abuse. I can imagine a child of Dawkins want to know "Please, Daddy, everyone talks about this 'Jesus'. Can I go to church with my friend?" Wham!(Slap) Dawkins or someone like him may answer, "What!? Are you an idiot!? Don't believe in that garbage! Go to your room and wait for me there!" And we know what usually can happen then.
Any parent is capable of child abuse through their personal beliefs so it is very unfair and ignorant of Dawkins to say this. I'm ever so glad my parents raised us knowing Christ. When we all sought out our own answers after adulthood, and many of us rebelled beyond belief, it was very comforting to know after we failed to find happiness that Christ was waiting with open, comforting arms to welcome us back and lead us gently back onto the right road to happiness, love, and eternal life. Bless you for continuing your messages for Christ!

Answer 9

No. I grew up in a strict religious household and was taught things but I questioned them. As soon as I was on my own, I stopped going to church and became atheist. I saw no evidence of godly love in my upbringing and therefore didn't believe in a god as I was taught he was supposed to be. After more than 10 years as an atheist, I found God on my own. I was not brainwashed as a child. Nor did my upbringing cause me to rebel automatically against God because of how it was crammed down my throat as a child. We all have the ability to think and can break free of teachings of our childhood. Parents have a duty to teach their children what they believe and it would be terrible to believe in hell and not teach your child how to avoid it. Or to believe in heaven and not teach them how to get there. Even my parents did the right thing in teaching me their beliefs, even if I don't agree with them.

Answer 10

" RELIGION" COULD BE.... Especially, if it is a Cult!
" SALVATION"..Never. WE need to raise up a Child in the way it should go, and when it gets Old, It will Not depart From it. LIKE=" INTRODUCING THEM " TO JESUS! That is the Most Wonderful GIFT We CAN EVER Give Our children.

Answer 11

In some instances, yes. I do think it's child abuse. Jesus Camp springs readily to mind in which children's fears and other emotions are so strongly played on that their developing powers of reason don't have a chance.

When I see an 8-year old child crying because he alreadly distrusts his own mind and finds his emerging reason "evil" because his every thought does not agree with his religious indoctrination... it makes me absolutely livid.