(September 1, 2011 at 2:05 pm)fr0d0 Wrote: I'm sorry: I don't actually think that you're indoctrinated - I just kept it lumped in with baby eating as you had.
But then I think that's your blanket term for it where theism is concerned?? Any presented bias would be indoctrination wouldn't you agree? I certainly try not to show bias to my children. Conversely: My atheist parents certainly espoused on their limited understanding... which I picked up.
While I do feel indoctrination plays a large part in people's beliefs, I don't like to use it as general term to describe all theists. But I think you'd have to agree that a lot of people don't actually know what their religion says but still follow it anyway. To me, that is indoctrination.
I'm glad that you try to show bias towards your children. I think as parents we should make it our goal not to impress our beliefs on our kids. I will not be teaching my kid to be an theist, but I will teach him that it's his decision to make.
Even if the open windows of science at first make us shiver after the cozy indoor warmth of traditional humanizing myths, in the end the fresh air brings vigor, and the great spaces have a splendor of their own - Bertrand Russell
