(April 22, 2009 at 12:40 am)padraic Wrote:Quote:My topic is this: Can children be taught effectively to think in only one certain way? Can young people be taught so well that they never question their teachings later?
Generally speaking I think they can, especially if they are not exposed to contrary views and live in a restrictive or closed society. Eg Mormons,Amish and some of the more reclusive religious sects. China and Japan remained closed to outsiders for centuries. That tactic helped destroy Imperial China and nearly destroyed Japan.
Also easier if literacy is kept low and/or education and all forms of communication tightly controlled.
Having sanctions against dissent also helps:This may take the form of say "shunning" (Amish) expulsion (Mormons) and in less enlightened times ,say burning people alive (Catholics AND protestants) or shooting dissenters out of hand and/or bunging them into camps.(Nazis and Communists).
This is more along the lines of what I plan on writing about.
I think children CAN be taught to believe only one thing and to not question later. Just like a point that Dawkins made: What a child believes depends on where and how a child is raised, and what their parents teach them/ believe in.
Any thoughts/ suggestions?
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful with out having to believe there are fairies at the bottom of it to?" -Douglas Adams.
