But I hear many of you saying "theres no way ill teach my child about a false deity"
Why cant you teach them to make there own decisions?
2007-11-30 08:20:15 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Children should be taught 'ABOUT' god, not indoctrinated or brainwashed into believing. Theres a difference.
2007-11-30 08:23:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 16⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't teach my child to BELIEVE in a deity. Whether it is 'false' or not is beyond the point. I believe all personal deities are invention. It is not my job in life to teach people (even my own children) what superstitions to believe in.
I always told my child that people all over the world believe in all kinds of deities and religions, as that is the truth.
I agree with you that we should teach our children to make their own decisions about religion.
2007-11-30 08:48:16 · answer #2 · answered by Bajingo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians can teach their children all about fairytale creatures for all I care. Just do not try and teach my children about them. Everyone should have a choice to believe or live in reality, however, Christians have a tendency to want to force their beliefs on others and disregard that choice. You say it is because you are trying to save us, but really it is because you are trying to control us and have us all live by what you believe.
Why is it that Christians do not teach their kids about atheism? Why do Christians not show their children all the contradictions in the Bible, and point out how many people their God murdered or the incest that he allowed (Lot and his daughters) or that God also performed incest with one of his children Mary? Tell them that incest is wrong, murder is wrong and then show them what their God supposedly did and let them decide with no outside interference. How come Christians also force their children to go to church, if you want them to make their own decisions? And when your children decide not to go to church, do not guilt them (classic Christian tactic) or say that there will be any repercussions, since your God is a loving God and will love them regardless. Is that even possible for a Christian to do? Do not tell children that if they do not believe in God that they will go to Hell, since that also is guilting them into believing, since nobody has ever been to hell and come back or heaven and come back, so you are just speculating based on your own fears. Do you think that as a Christian you could do that, to let your child make up their own mind, my guess would be NO you can't.
All children should be taught about all beliefs on the planet, from paganism to the major religions to being agnostic and atheist to Satanism. Allow them to explore what they think is right for them.
EDIT: And just FYI, it is "THEIR" as a possessive, "THERE" is a location. Just semantics.
2007-11-30 08:37:39 · answer #3 · answered by disturbed001500 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's completely natural for parents to teach their children the things they themselves believe in. Would you, presumably as a Christian, teach your kids that God doesn't exist? If not, it's hypocritical to expect Atheists to teach their children that God is real.
I think a responsible approach to this for parents is to say, "I believe this. Some other people believe differently. But I think this is right because ___. What do you think?"
2007-11-30 08:27:08 · answer #4 · answered by blondeyblack 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do advocate the teaching of religion in an objective and secular context for that very reason, so they can make their own decisions about what they believe by hearing multiple views.
I do not advocate the indoctrination into religion. i.e. teaching your religion and only your religion and telling them that all other belief systems are wrong.
2007-11-30 08:29:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No atheist I know has ever said its bad to teach your kids ABOUT god. It's the indoctrination of 'this is the one true god, this is fact, believe or burn in hell'.
They should be taught about all religions and definitely allowed to make their own decisions. You'll find this rarely happens.
2007-11-30 08:32:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
well, you can teacher your kids all you like about whatever you imaginary super being you worship but not in public schools. it's not the business of anyone but the parents what religious indoctrination (or lack thereof) "there" kids receive. if you want your kids teachered about your deity send to them a parochial school.
how would you like your kids being indoctrinated by the public schools into Wicca or Hinduism without your approval?
PS. there are classes in theology and comparative religions in the higher grades which is exactly where such things should be studied.
2007-11-30 08:28:45 · answer #7 · answered by nebtet 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am teaching my child to make his own decisions. I'm teaching him about all religions not just one that I pick out for him. Everyone should have the right to choose their own religion, it's not something that should be shoved on you at birth.
2007-11-30 08:26:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
OK, so which god or gods should we let them consider? There's a pretty long list, so could you narrow it down some? By us not teaching them about a god, we are allowing them to make their own decisions. But if we taught them one particular thing, as happens in religious households, we'd be making up their minds for them.
2007-11-30 08:24:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Children shouldn't be taught any kind of religion until they have an adult mind, and are capable of reasoning, questioning and complex thinking. Children, at the age religion is normally brought into their life, is FAR too young. They become to know this religion as steadfast and true, and when they get older, they will never question it's validity.
That is why adults should only be taught of religion.
2007-11-30 08:27:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I do teach them to make their own decisions.at a young enough age,it is my responsibility as a parent to teach them critical learning skills,so they may advance and learn.saying "goddidit"as fact,when all the evidence ever accumulated,worldwide,in all of history,shows the Christian version to be ludicrous.To instill that myth as fact in a young mind,unable to yet discern truth,along with the malicious lie of hell,and absolute worthlessness,the idea they DESERVE hell,is child abuse.I stand by that statement
2007-11-30 08:29:40 · answer #11 · answered by reporters should die 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋