Youth Indoctrination

[Armymike6174]

Are you deeply religious? Many people who are, hold firm belief that their religion is true and the only way to salvation. However, if you were to grow up in the United States under a Christian household, you would not hold the same views towards the Qu'ran as a Muslim who grew up in the middle east would. My point is that unless you've converted to your religion, YOUR personal religion is NOT your own initial choice! Call it blasphemy if you will, but if you were raised in a different culture with a different family, you would have had entirely different religious beliefs than what you do now. It is futile to reply that your religion is YOUR choice and it just happens to be the same one that you grew up with... simply because that is the way your brain is 'wired' to accept and believe. Just like if a child grew up in Montana, their native language would most likely be english (american). If they grew up in Japan however, it would be much less likely and in turn be more probable that Nippon'go (japanese) is their native tongue. However even if that person from Montana became bilingual by learning Japanese, they would still THINK in english, as it is their native language. Religion is the same way. If you grew up with christianity, chances are that you think Heaven and Hell are actual existing places and that God, Jesus and the Devil are all locked in an eternal battle of good and evil. If you grew up atheist, you would look at christianity with an ENTIRELY different view.
Ever since you were born, you have most likely been brought up in whatever religion that your parents believed in, not what you specifically chose. So how could you assume to believe that this 'prechosen' religion is absolutely true without question? Well, some people believe because they WANT to, (for Love, Faith or Compassion) But most others - and more importantly (and ESPECIALLY) the children - have faith in their beliefs out of fear, (abandonment, persecution and the trump card... HELL) For most adults, Hell maybe be merely a representation or even a point of view, but for children still harnessing vivid and creative imaginations, Hell is as REAL to them as the stories they here from their preachers. If we wouldn't expose our children to the graphic violence, terror and nudity of R rated films, why would we expose them to such a frightful complexity as 'Hell' at such a young age?
This may seem over-the-top and a little extreme, but that's only because I have neglected to put the grammatical "sugar-coating" on this topic to unveil its true nature to the ignorant masses. (no offense implied) If you believe that I am being overly judgemental of the graphic nature of religion, then go read the Old Testament... its full of jealousy, murdering those who are different than you, Infantile genocide, (Moses will never be the same! lol) and the list goes on! This is DEF NOT what I want my child learning.
So just think of this particular point of view before deciding whether the psychological trauma that could develop in your child's mind is worth exposing your children to the full aspects of ANY religion before they are old enough to understand complex religious ideals and make there own responsible choice... and if it is not the same as your religion, make sure you have the strength and integrity to support them in whatever decision they make... without any unnecessary negative criticism.
Just a thought... post if you want to be heard! (^_^)

[MissAlice]

Sorry but I don't see christianity being THAT different from Islam except that perhaps our society has improved.

That's about it.

I still see apes...<<

[MissAlice]

Oh and uh welcome to the RF.

[Armymike6174]

I think you may have missed the underlying topic of the discussion, Alice. It is not the similarities nor differences between Islam and Christianity that are in question here... it is the negative mental effects of indoctrinating our youth with our personal religious preferences without taking the time to think about the consequences of the effects that our children's psychological personalities will suffer...

[Storm]

Parents have the right to raise their own children according to their own values, provided they're not abusive or neglectful. You never hear people ranting about how it's wrong to indoctrinate kids with whatever they happen to believe. It's always the "other" whose rights should be trampled.

Shortsighted at best.

[Kilgore Trout]

Meh, most kids are idiots anyway.

[Eliot Wild]

I am intentionally misleading my children to believe that Jesus was an alien whose skin was purple and he had the ability to fly. I am raising them to believe that He was an alien God who travelled around with twelve guys who called themselves the Jerusalem Jerkies, and when they weren't spreading the gospel, the were playing basketball.

At some point, I am going to send them off to the nearest Christian Vacation Bible School and watch the hilarity that insues. God, it is going to be rich.

Okay, just kidding, I don't have any children. But all my nieces and nephews do believe there is a giant spider-monster living in their grandparent's basement. Kids are so dang gullible; it's great.

[Armymike6174]

I agree, Storm. However, values are NOT religious in origin or nature. (Christians are not the only group allowed or able to 'Love thy Neighbor') That being said, there is a whole MESS of graphic nature that tags along with the 'values of religion'.
I have no problem teaching my child to "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".... But I hesitate at exposing my child to things like the book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament, the story of exodus in general... hell, even teaching my highly influencial child that a man can walk on water and the turn it into wine...
Kids are too literal to understand the 'metaphorical' meanings behind many of the teachings and in such, believe in such things as a concept of "HELL" with such vivid and imaginative detail.

[Storm]

Originally Posted by Armymike6174

I agree, Storm. However, values are NOT religious in origin or nature.

Except when they are.

(Christians are not the only group allowed or able to 'Love thy Neighbor')

Gee, you don't say.

Things for new people to know in order not to look completely foolish while posting in RF

That being said, there is a whole MESS of graphic nature that tags along with the 'values of religion'.
I have no problem teaching my child to "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".... But I hesitate at exposing my child to thing like the book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament, the story of exodus in general... hell, even teaching my highly influencial child that a man can walk on water and the turn it into wine...

That's your choice, limited to your children. It's MY choice when it comes to MY child.

Kids are too literal to understand the 'metaphorical' meanings behind many of the teachings

Generally, yes.

and in such, believe in such things as a concept of "HELL" with such vivid and imaginative detail.

Now, that depends on the child. I certainly didn't. My concept of hell was quite vague, and not at all troubling. It was where bad people went.

At any rate, any competent parent will know their child's limitations better than you.

[fallingblood]

I think the whole premise of the OP is flawed. Growing up in a Christian home does not equate to youth indoctrination.

More so, if I grew up with a religion, and then decided to follow it anyway when I'm older, then yes, it is my personal religion. I know many people who grew up in a Christian home, rejected the religion in their teens, and then later on, after their own search, once again became Christians. That or people who grew up in a Christian home, lost most interest, and then ended up being devote Christians later when they did the work themselves.

Really, I think since the premise of your argument fails, rest of what you said fails.

Also, I don't think there is anything wrong with the Old Testament. I find it funny how so many people claim that the Old Testament is nothing more than hate, but I think that is primarily because they haven't read the Old Testament with an open mind. They look for the hate, and that's all they concentrate on. That, and they simply do not put the events in a historical context.