This question is one that I am re-asking from a thread entitled "Is Baptism Wrong?" McCulloch correctly pointed out that although my point of this question refers to broader terms than baptism specifically, we could get bogged down in the specific practises of different faiths.
I therefore am asking whether teaching a small child to follow a specific religion is wrong? Rather should you teach them many options to allow them to decide for themselves?
Is teaching religion to children wrong?
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OccamsRazor
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The Persnickety Platypus
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Post #2
You can't expect people to bottle up their genuine beliefs. We will natually want to pass our particular line of thought on to our children (and often everyone else around us). Assuming your POV is reasonably ethical, I see no problem in teaching your kids to abide by it.
Of course, when you refuse to allow your children to explore new areas of thought and think on their own, the propaganda becomes a problem.
Of course, when you refuse to allow your children to explore new areas of thought and think on their own, the propaganda becomes a problem.
Post #6
What about it?CJK wrote:You know, the Seperation of Church and State?CJK wrote:
Teaching education in schools is definetly crossing some sort of line. . .icon_confused2
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harvey1
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Re: Is teaching religion to children wrong?
Post #8I think it is fine to teach your child your beliefs, however I think it is also prudent to teach them what other people believe, and start them off as early as possible with providing the reasons why some people believe what they believe and the reasons why you believe what you believe. I think in this regard children ought to be given some leeway to think for themselves and only if they reflect views which are dangerous to them (e.g., drugs are good) or others should someone be concerned about somehow changing their thoughts. I think as with anyone you have to have a lot of tolerance to what someone believes (or is beginning to believe), no matter how small.OccamsRazor wrote:This question is one that I am re-asking from a thread entitled "Is Baptism Wrong?" McCulloch correctly pointed out that although my point of this question refers to broader terms than baptism specifically, we could get bogged down in the specific practises of different faiths. I therefore am asking whether teaching a small child to follow a specific religion is wrong? Rather should you teach them many options to allow them to decide for themselves?
My experience of Christians who lorded over their children's beliefs is that these children usually reject what their parents taught them, or worse they cannot think for themselves as they grew up. My parents, for example, probably didn't know what I believed as I grew up, and I always found it easy to change my beliefs without having to look around to see if anyone was going to come down hard on me. I think religious indoctrination (or any indoctrination) of children is just wrong.
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OccamsRazor
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Post #9
I'm sorry I don't follow. Could you expand on this?CJK wrote:You know, the Seperation of Church and State?
Post #10
I had a dysfunctional moment. I meant teaching religion in schools would be crossing some sort of line. I referred to the separation of church and state in attempt to back up why it would be crossing some sort of line, but that was not Episkopos' meaning.
I must say, that is very cute.
It's a new religion called Educationalism. They're into strange things like pedagogy.
I must say, that is very cute.
