Magic Man
Reaper of Conversation
Do you consider that a necessary part of teaching religion to children? Do you consider teaching religion to children a necessary part of that?
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Is it Child Abuse to Teach Children Religion?
- Thread starter Sunstone
- Start date
Do you consider that a necessary part of teaching religion to children? Do you consider teaching religion to children a necessary part of that?
faeries ARE at the bottom of the garden. BOO. :angel2:
The only thing that I learned as a child from my religion which was stressed upon us by our mother was to feel very badly about yourself because you weren't perfect so really you were a piece of **** and that women were especially crappy. Not the religion I taught MY child. Today I am spiritual not religious.
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
yes and yes
Magic Man
Reaper of Conversation
But can't I teach my kids that that relative is in a happy place without telling them anything about "God"? Can't I comfort them in any other way? Do you see that as the same thing as telling them about Santa Claus, that one day they'll find out that it's not the truth, but for now, it's good for them to believe?
Draka
Wonder Woman
I think it entirely depends on the strictness of the religion, what the religion is, and the manner in which it is being instructed.
For instance, I believe that telling any small child that there is even the concept of a Hell is abusive. Telling a child that they are anything less that fine and perfect the way they are is abusive. Telling them they are not "good enough" in any way is abusive. Some religions restrict what you can do, say, think, believe, in such a way that it is psychologically and emotionally traumatizing for the children.
I don't find anything wrong with a child believing in fairies or angels or praying to a god or goddess for a new teddy bear or whatnot. Children, if let to think and reason for themselves as they age, will naturally decide what makes sense for them to believe. Indoctrinating them into a strict religion that monitors and decides their every step...hinders that natural progression...and that is what is abusive.
For instance, I believe that telling any small child that there is even the concept of a Hell is abusive. Telling a child that they are anything less that fine and perfect the way they are is abusive. Telling them they are not "good enough" in any way is abusive. Some religions restrict what you can do, say, think, believe, in such a way that it is psychologically and emotionally traumatizing for the children.
I don't find anything wrong with a child believing in fairies or angels or praying to a god or goddess for a new teddy bear or whatnot. Children, if let to think and reason for themselves as they age, will naturally decide what makes sense for them to believe. Indoctrinating them into a strict religion that monitors and decides their every step...hinders that natural progression...and that is what is abusive.
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
I see it as just like Santa Claus. For them Santa is real.
Magic Man
Reaper of Conversation
Right, but they learn later that Santa is not real in the way they thought. Some kids never hear about Santa, and I'm sure most of them turn out just fine.
Religion is an adult thing, but I do not agree with the characterization of it as child abuse. Indoctrination @ school is inevitable for most kids, so they will hear about adult religious beliefs anyway. When they ask questions, what are you going to do? My own personal slant on it is that no child should be encouraged to study religious faith and spirituality until @ least 15 years old, which is the age when sexual initiation is most likely. There is, I am suggesting, a correlation between the two.
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
Is it abuse to teach them about Santa?
Magic Man
Reaper of Conversation
No. I said that teaching them about religion is not abuse. I just don't think it's necessary, either.
misanthropic_clown
Active Member
I think that provided the parents promote diversity of thought, encourage education about and respect of other faiths, and allow the child to exercise free agency in regards to their religious beliefs when they grow up, raising them in a religion does very little harm, and can actually be of benefit to the child.
It is just unfortunate that a lot of religious faiths are exclusive, discourage questioning and education and are disrespectful of other faiths, meaning that those criteria are rarely matched. In those circumstances, the raising of the child can be somewhat abusive, but I don't think that justifies a generalisation that raising children with religion is abusive.
It is just unfortunate that a lot of religious faiths are exclusive, discourage questioning and education and are disrespectful of other faiths, meaning that those criteria are rarely matched. In those circumstances, the raising of the child can be somewhat abusive, but I don't think that justifies a generalisation that raising children with religion is abusive.
TurkeyOnRye
Well-Known Member
Richard Dawkins was specifically referring to teaching young children that they will burn in an endless ocean of fire for eternity if they do not submit to religion, Christianity in particular. I tend to agree with him, considering the countless stories of people who's zealous parents' fire and brimstone preaching affects them so much, even if they're not Christian anymore. Richard Dawkins has stated that we should still teach theology but not as literal truth.
I don't think teaching a child religion is child abuse however I do think threatening them that they are going to some factious hell is and I think that most religion should be taught the same was as Greek, Roman and Egyptian religions are. I had a discussion about this with my daughter the other day and she asked me if Rome, Greece and Egypt were such great countries of wealth and power why did they ever turn their backs on the religions and gods that brought them to that and these three countries today under their new god are really kind of insignificant. Well, makes me think anyway.
Rolling_Stone
Well-Known Member
Exposing children to Dawkins is a form of child abuse. (I decided to change this from "exposing Dawkins to children".....people might take it the wrong way. Heck, they still might take it the wrong way. I can't win with this one.
)
kai
ragamuffin
your right you can tell a kid there is a god ,
then tell him he can only eat certain things because god said so ,
then tell him he has to get down on his knees face a foreign city and prey to his god five times a day.
make him read the holy book over and over until he can recite it by memory.
and if thats not abuse its certainly mind control or indoctrination.