Is this child abuse?

Question

Did any of you see the program "Jesus Camp" on A&E last night? Very scarey; frightening. It reminded me of Hitler's Youth Camps in Nazi Germany during the 1930' & 40's....of course it was apparent these Jesus camps are a product of the Cristian/Republican political machine that has been going on since the Reagan/Falwell political marriage in 1980.Did any of you think is blantant child abuse by their very own parents? What can be done about it to save these poor children?

Answer 1

Thought control. Manipulation. These are the words that occur to me when I think about this. The use of force, against a child, can easily be considered abuse even if the abuse is not physical.

If they would remember the story of the Prodigal Son, from their own book, they would recognize that he was the one who had the greater favor from both his father and his God, because he made the choice to return on his own, having learned from the experiences of living. The son that conformed simply to go along with what was expected of him by others inherited nothing.

Answer 2

It was the saddest and sickest thing I have ever seen.

I cannot imagine a parent permitting their children to such nonsense.

Just goes to show you how religion and religious beliefs are the most destructive forces in a child's life.

Answer 3

Since it falls under the protection of Religion in this country, nothing can be done, unless a felony crime has been committed like a death

Answer 4

People have a right to raise their children in the religion of their choice; so no, it is not child abuse.

Answer 5

I didn't see the program that you are referring to, but I don't understand how passing your beliefs on would be child abuse. I would be more concerned with children that are being physically and sexually abused.

Answer 6

America was founded on a principle that included freedom of religion. Now you want to deny people that and you call them nazi's.

Answer 7

In The God Delusion and other writings,1 Richard Dawkins claims that teaching children about religion (specifically, the doctrine of hell) is a form of child abuse that scars children for life. Accordingly, Dawkins states, "Priestly groping of child bodies is disgusting. But it may be less harmful in the long run than priestly subversion of child minds."

Conspicuously absent in his writings are any published studies documenting that teaching children religious principles might adversely affect them. Since Dawkins claims to always rely upon science as the basis for his beliefs, why didn't he cite any science in support of his claims?

In one of the largest studies of its kind, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill examined the role of religion in the lives of nearly 2500 adolescents.9 The adolescents indicated the level of their indoctrination (i.e., frequency of church attendance) and importance of religion, along with a number of activities that they have or have not participated in. Listed below are graphs of behaviors that would generally be considered to be unfavorable.

Answer 8

I agree...unfortunately most will not agree with us. It is not child abuse, but I think it should be.

I was most disheartened by the one boy who said at one point that he just couldn't "feel it or believe it". He seemed so upset and left out and conflicted. Instead of being able to find faith and religion on his own terms it was being shoved down his throat and he was being made to feel a sinner and something was wrong because he could not feel or find what the others were feeling. I believe, at least in this childs case, that forcing him to the "path of God" will be driving him away from it forever. I cried for him while watching it. I don't think Jesus would ever condone making a child feel how this child was made to feel.

I think that if you teach a child one religion you should teach all. Or none...let them find faith on their own when they are old enough that the choice is of some significance.

It reminds me of my major problem with Catholisism and many other kinds of Christianity (and I find many good things in these otherwise, please make no mistake) to believe for the fear of not believing is not right and I don't think Jesus would counter me on this point. To go through the motions of Catholisism without actual faith is pointless. To believe in the doctrines of any religion without the actual moral compass telling you they are correct is moot. A religion should be chosen because it reflects your own personal beliefs and morals, you should not chose your religion and then find your moral fibre in its doctrine. You should not chose a religion based on your fear of not choosing.

Answer 9

Calling the cops

Answer 10

No, its parental choice.