Indoctrinating Children in Religion

[Dystopia]

Parents are responsible for making a lot of important choices for their children. Religion can sometimes be part of the culture of a certain region that parents might want to pass on to their children. At the same time, adolescents should be allowed to reject their parents' religion without having to fear that they will be thrown out of the house. I have known families that spend every weekend, Sunday morning and evening in church and also take part in their church's various celebrations. A lot of these parents have the mindset that their children will attend their religious functions if they live under their parents' roof. That means that their children are forced to spend a lot of time in church.


I thought it would be interesting to have a thread dedicated to the indoctrination of children in religion. How far is too far? If you are a theist, would you force your sixteen year old to attend church if they disagreed with your religious views?

In my opinion parents are legally and ethically entitled to educate children according to their beliefs, whether it's religious, political, ideological, social, economical or moral. That being said, I think it's desirable that parents try to be as impartial as possible - Sure, it's impossible to avoid a minimal of indoctrination - In theory, if I ever have kids and teach them my morality I am indoctrinating them into thinking my morality is right - But families should try, after considering limitations, to not force kids into believing something is right. When you are little your brain is underdeveloped and it's incredibly easy to make you think something is right since the brain is very vulnerable.

To me, anything like "You are going to hell if you don't believe in god" is too much, but something like "Here's the reasons why daddy believes in god" is ok.

For a 16 year old I think autonomy should prevail - 16 year old kids, depending on the country, may be able to drive, buy alcohol (and maybe cigarettes), go to jail, etc - So I don't think it is reasonable to impose your religion.

Personally I won't allow my kids to have any religious education, I'm still considering if I'll baptise them just because it's tradition and I can throw a big party after - But my love for priests is so high that I'm considering not even doing that.

[Crossless2.0]

In the US, it might help if schools taught all the facts, philosophy, and critical thinking skills that would protect them from the inevitable indoctrination at home.

I've long maintained that students need to be taught the rudiments of logic and rhetoric, but I'm not holding my breath. Apparently, the three R's are too demanding a curriculum for many of our schools to manage.

[robvalue]

Indoctrination and circumcision should be against the law.

I agree. There is no need for religious indoctrination of any sort. And any sort of mutilation such as circumcision is disgusting and should not be allowed either. You shouldn't get to carve your kids up how you see fit because of your stupid beliefs. I know that you'll try and make up some shit about health benefits, but that's not what why you're doing it and there's no evidence either. So cut up your own willy but leave your innocent child alone.

Sure, when a kid is really young, they need a little "reality indoctrination", there are some things they simply must accept for their own safety and wellbeing, but that they can't yet fully understand. But in time, you'll be able to explain exactly why you put such importance on those things, and they'll understand and accept them from then on because they have sound reasoning behind them. On the other hand, there is never any need at all for any religious indoctrination, and you totally can't ever explain why you needed to do it later on, either. So these two things are not the same.

[Dystopia]

I agree with circumcision being against the law.

I don't agree with indoctrination. For those who propose it, can you tell me:

- What can be defined as indoctrination?

- How would you prosecute this felony?

- How would you prove there was indoctrination?

- Where's the line between indoctrination and innocent teachings?

- Will you apply the same principle to indoctrination of political ideologies, morality, economics, etc?

[robvalue]

Sure, having religious indoctrination be illegal is an ideal, it's not a practical reality.

But... in the end, it's just education again. Educate people to be better parents. Let them know what causes harm, even if they don't want to hear it. Because really, punishing parents and removing children comes a sad second to preventing the harm happening in the first place, whatever it may be.

[Edited a bunch of times :p ]

[Godscreated]

I thought it would be interesting to have a thread dedicated to the indoctrination of children in religion. How far is too far? If you are a theist, would you force your sixteen year old to attend church if they disagreed with your religious views?

If I had children hopefully they would agree with the teachings of the scriptures, if they did not they would still attend church until they were out of the house, when they leave would depend on what their goals in life are.

GC

[FatAndFaithless]

I thought it would be interesting to have a thread dedicated to the indoctrination of children in religion. How far is too far? If you are a theist, would you force your sixteen year old to attend church if they disagreed with your religious views?

If I had children hopefully they would agree with the teachings of the scriptures, if they did not they would still attend church until they were out of the house, when they leave would depend on what their goals in life are.

GC

So, yes, you would force your children to attend church even if they didn't believe any of it.

[Dystopia]

If I had children hopefully they would agree with the teachings of the scriptures, if they did not they would still attend church until they were out of the house, when they leave would depend on what their goals in life are.

GC

So, yes, you would force your children to attend church even if they didn't believe any of it.

This depends. I attend church maybe once a year because of marriages, baptisms and such - It is one thing to bring your kid to church, another completely different is to force belief, prayer, etc.

I am guessing that if we're talking about a religious family the non-believer would have to come along, at least to be with his family

[GrandizerII]

I agree with circumcision being against the law.

I don't agree with indoctrination. For those who propose it, can you tell me:

- What can be defined as indoctrination?

- How would you prosecute this felony?

- How would you prove there was indoctrination?

- Where's the line between indoctrination and innocent teachings?

- Will you apply the same principle to indoctrination of political ideologies, morality, economics, etc?

No one said anything about felony. Rather that indoctrination is a shameful thing.

Indoctrinating is not the same as teaching by the way. Indoctrination involves obliging someone to unconditionally accept your views without considering other options.

Teaching morality to your kids is a good thing, but explain to them why you believe something is right or wrong, don't just impose your standards. It would also help to enable them to develop empathy for others with time.

[Nope]

I thought it would be interesting to have a thread dedicated to the indoctrination of children in religion. How far is too far? If you are a theist, would you force your sixteen year old to attend church if they disagreed with your religious views?

If I had children hopefully they would agree with the teachings of the scriptures, if they did not they would still attend church until they were out of the house, when they leave would depend on what their goals in life are.

GC

How would you feel if at teen wanted to attend a Christian church but his/her atheist parents didn't allow it? Would you think that the parents should allow their adolescent to make up their own minds?

I don't know why but I thought you had children, GC.