2007-10-24 11:01:17 · 20 answers · asked by ? 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
yes, teaching your child to believe in something that isn't true is brainwashing. Unless it's santa....then that's ok :)
2007-10-24 11:07:23 · answer #1 · answered by Monica V 3 · 3⤊ 7⤋
If we put in our child's head a fear of putting their hand in a fire, or of walking out into a busy street, or of going too near the edge of a cliff, is that abuse? I think it is abuse NOT to instill in a beloved child a fear of things that should cause fear, which is why your question, like so, so many others, begs the real question: Is there a God, and if so, should we fear Him?
2007-10-24 11:09:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
No. You can't 'install' anything of God into a person. Fear of God is a character trait. Can you 'install' intelligence into your own mind? Can you 'install' a kind heart in someone?
When they grow up in the Lord the 'fear' (reverence, love, and respect) will come natural. Making them better people. That's the best thing we can hope for our children in a society that so badly needs it.
So no, Edwin, it can't be 'installed'.
2007-10-24 11:10:53 · answer #3 · answered by F'sho 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
So we shouldn't tell our children to fear...poisonous snakes and spiders, electrical outlets, deep water, or any of the other things that are dangerous or can harm them? Of course we should teach children to fear certain things if for nothing more that their survival! It is no more abusive to teach a child to respect and revere God than it is to teach them that if they do a bad thing they should fear being punished for it (and I am not talking about spankings or beatings, I'm talking about losing privileges).
2007-10-24 11:09:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Whether it's God, the fast moving cars, or your neighbor, your fear is their fear. Even if you teach your kids to fear God and you don't fear God, they won't fear God. But if you fear that your kids might get hit by a fast moving car when crossing the street, they will start fearing the fast moving car.
The abuse comes into play is when you use cruel punishments, like emotional and mental punishment, like guilt-trip and retribution.
Fear is natural, but premeditated to cause emotional and mental distress is abusive.
2007-10-24 11:12:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
There should never be any fear of god but through our teaching of Christianity and our beliefs there should be an understanding of the love shared between Jehovah and his children and from there they are given the choice what to do with their lives.
2007-10-24 11:08:54 · answer #6 · answered by S.O.S. 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, no more than telling your child of the dangers of talking to strangers or trying to cross the street alone. Good parents, good Christians teach their child properly by taking the right approach. You are going way overboard here.
Edit: How did Desiree suddenly turn into Edwin? This question matches up with the same questions the other Desiree ID was asking. Shouldn't you stick with just one ID and not be pretending to be someone else?
2007-10-24 11:10:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Actually, child abuse is letting your child be free to do anything he or she chooses, even if it will hurt him.
Children instinctively ask about truth and want concrete answers. I know - I have 3 of them.
Believing in a loving and caring God never hurt any child. In fact, a Swiss psychologist named Piaget did an interesting study that found that very young children inherently see a design and overarching purpose in the universe, even when they have been taught nothing at all. That's right - even with no "indoctrination" at all, children instinctively possess a "god concept."
Remember the "fear of God" as Scripture describes it refers to being respectful and in awe of His love and power. It's not a spine-tingling horror like most people think of fear.
2007-10-24 11:07:05 · answer #8 · answered by Veritas 7 · 6⤊ 3⤋
it depends on what you mean by the word FEAR- if you keep telling your kids that God is distant, but yet a judge, and sees everything bad that you do- and uses God to put fear of the parents into your children- yes it is child abuse
but if you tell your children to reverently fear Him and trust Him. And that He is a holy God, who loves them, and Jesus loves them enough to come to earth to die on the cross for the whole world- that is a good fear.
Fear can be good when placed in God-reverently - He is Holy and we do have to stand and bow in awe of Him, but not in a scared way- God is ultimately holy love-
2007-10-24 12:08:30 · answer #9 · answered by AdoreHim 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The rigid and puritan Christians have put the wrong type of fear in their Children over the centuries and this is one of the reasons they have major problems in adult life,the Lord does not want us to be afraid of Him but to love and trust in Him,when we say fear of the Lord it should actually be taught as having such great reverence and awe of Him as to never offend His majesty.
2007-10-24 11:07:22 · answer #10 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
The fear of God means respect and admiration. He is a loving and powerful Father.
What we should all be truly afraid of is Hell and the ugly consequences of sin.....not God.
2007-10-24 11:11:21 · answer #11 · answered by Knight of Malta 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋