should children be raised into and by the religion their parents believe in? or is it better to let them choose on their own? on one side by letting your kid choose then you know its mostly his choice to believe, rather than the years of brainwashing. on the other hand if your kid chooses wrong then he goes to hell(if your christian like most familys)

Most children are not educated enough to be make a educated choice on religion. Hell most adults are not educated enough to make a religion. But its better let them chose on there own. Less brainwashing children = less radical fundies.

More so parents would never sign a child up for a political party because they do not have enough information but they are perfectly willing to decided how they think the entire world works.

But it will never happen as long as parents fear for the eternal souls of there children and belive that there rlgion is right.

[This message has been edited by Q777 (edited 12-31-2006).]

There should be a law prohibiting parents from teaching any religion their children.

It's up to the child to decide what they want to believe.



~Q~

quote:Originally posted by Q:

There should be a law prohibiting parents from teaching any religion their children.

It's up to the child to decide what they want to believe.



~Q~

QFMFT!

Religion is like a virus passed on by parents into children, it should be considered child abuse to force any religion onto a child.

You would think it stupid to call someone a "Marxist child" but somehow it isnt bad to say "christian/muslim/jewish/hindu and so on child"

[This message has been edited by among_the_living (edited 01-07-2007).]

I don't think it's as easy as that. when i'm analysing something i sometimes find myself thinking "what would my dad think of that". your opinions aren't your own, they're moulded by your family and the society you grew up in, the things you've experienced.

the only feasable solution is genocide, or possibly castration

quote:Originally posted by Q:

There should be a law prohibiting parents from teaching any religion their children.

It's up to the child to decide what they want to believe.



~Q~

quote:Originally posted by Q:

There should be a law prohibiting parents from teaching any religion their children.



As much as dislike religion, I would dislike the government being that intrusive. But I would like society to evolve to the point where parents don't indoctrinate children.

parents shouldnt

that would be the first step to a non religious world. Since majority of people who decide on there own laugh at the stupidity of religion

Yes they should be raised with religion. Also the parents should teach them to have an open mind about it and should provide information regarding religious beliefs which differ from their own.

quote:Originally posted by Q:

There should be a law prohibiting parents from teaching any religion their children.

It's up to the child to decide what they want to believe.



~Q~

quote:Originally posted by Pyroyoshi:

should children be raised into and by the religion their parents believe in?

NO!

Maybe parents should raise their children to believe in everything they don't believe in.

Then...when they rebell...

I don't think so, not at a very early age anyway.

[This message has been edited by Deoz (edited 01-01-2007).]

I was raised in a religious family. I love it alot, even though sometimes I wanted to do things that would be against Catholicisim, but let's say if I was raised in a different religion, or had to choose my own religion, I'd be surely lost inbetween many. Being a Catholic and being exposed to Christianity and the wisdom of the Bible has helped me better understand how things should be.

Just imagine, at least religion teaches you general morals, which are good for all, rather than something negative...I don't think i'd let my children choose their own religion, because in my opinion, the second respectable religion behind judaism is Christianity, and Catholicism. Now, my Muslim (by virtue not by practice) Bf and I, if we ever got engaged or married, one of us would have to convert to eachothers' religion.

He already doesn't agree with Islam and the Muslim practices and some of their outrageous beliefs/values and wants to become Christian, which was decided by himself.



If we get together, i'm very sure that my family would have religion, and God, incorporated into our daily lives. Religion is as good as you choose to make it.

E

Also, an addition, Sure my children will be religious, but also will have a very open mind due to their parent's open mindedness.

Being religious doesn't define being ignorant. The Bible offers many interpretations of it because every person has a different perception on the same image.

I know a few years ago 5, i was lost to as where God was, and if he really existed, and I went through studying every religion I could think of, which lead to Wicca, Satanism, etc.. and I realised that God was really there, etc... and that what I was raised with is what is right for me.

I'm done now, haha.

E



E

quote:Originally posted by QuackyIraqy:

I'm done now, haha.



Good job! You're really good at playing "let's pretend".

Parents brainwash kids with just about every belief they have. It's the life that the kids are born into. They have little choice but to believe what their parents believe.

Until they turn teen and start to feel rebellious and horny.

Edit: Whay parents shouldn't do tho is punish a child for independant thought.

[This message has been edited by ---Beany--- (edited 01-02-2007).]

Learning what your parents believe is just part of growing up. It's the way it's been since, well forever.

Fun Fact: People that become educated eventually gain enough brainpower to make an educated decision about a religion, so teaching a child religion at an early age just means they'll have more experience with that particular religion if/when they do contemplate choosing another/not having one.

So maybe it's limiting to put a child into a religion early on. Yes, most children can't make a thought out decision about religion until they're much older, but they also lack the ability to make thought out decisions about the morals and values that having a religion brings.

Having some form of ethical guidance (from a church community, from a deity) plays a huge role in learning right from wrong for lots of children.

It would be a very bad thing if parents would be prohibited from teaching religion. Parents do have a right to pass on "morals" to their kids, be it good work ethics or social interaction.



The whole point that atheists make in regards to human rights is that religiously controversial practices (Abortion, Gay marriage) should be allowed to the general public, and theists who are against them can chose not to practice them. It would be hypocritical to go against that logic.

On another note, religion does not necessarily dictate morals. Basic morals are taught by parents, society and human nature regardless of religion. For example, most atheists and Christians likewise don't engage in violent crimes.