Child Indoctrination...

[Hauptmann Kauffman]

Should be looked down upon, perhaps even outlawed!:mad: Fundamentalist Christians, Muslims, etc. Implanting their beliefs in a childs head at a young age is sick, and I feel needs to be taken care of. I just saw a movie called "Jesus Camp", about "Born Again" Indoctrination of young children, up to age 14, and it really scares me!:eek:
Why not let the children grow old enough to reason and make decent decisions, instead of brainwashing? What is everyones opinion on this?

[Maverick]

So you want to repeal the first amendment? Who are you to say what parents should do when it comes to religion? You can raise your kids how you want and they will theirs. Funny from your recent posts you seem to be shoving atheism/agnosticism down peoples throats. You're practically a bible thumper of the atheists.

There's nothing wrong of what they do as long as they don't promote violence and hatred. I may not agree with what they do but they have a right to believe and I accept that there are some people who are different from me. You can't expect the world to be just like you. Plus, extremism religion is a very small minority.

[serial-thrilla]

parents are going to push their beliefs on their children. you cant outlaw that.

[Hauptmann Kauffman]

OMFG> I was talking about VIOLENCE! Not peaceful raising, i dont give a darn about that! And I dont shove anything "down people's throats", a little courtesy would be nice

[Hyper]

You know atheism itself is a religion ;P

And seriously who are you to blame religion for everything.. Do you really think you'd grow your own children up without influencing them with what you belive indirectly or undirectly...

Seriously.. I saw Jesus Camp and that wasn't ''Jesus'' that was more like satanism..

[Maverick]

You didn't mention anything about violence specifically in your first post. You were talking about all child indoctrinationand saying Christians and Muslims are sick for teaching children their religion and they should make up their own mind. I fail to see where violence is mentioned.

The vast majority of Christians and Muslims are not violent in the USA just because of their religion.

[Hauptmann Kauffman]

I know that. I was trying to refer to extremists, not normal people. Sorry for the vagueness. And Atheism isnt a religion. Princeton defines religion as "a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny". Atheism is the opposite of this. Atheism is the outright denial of supernatural beings, or "gods". So how can atheism be a religion if it is, in fact, the opposite of religion?

[Hyper]

I know that. I was trying to refer to extremists, not normal people. Sorry for the vagueness. And Atheism isnt a religion. Princeton defines religion as "a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny". Atheism is the opposite of this. Atheism is the outright denial of supernatural beings, or "gods". So how can atheism be a religion if it is, in fact, the opposite of religion?

Lol be as fancy as you wan't but any kind of religion required ''belief'' and you belive a supernatural power doesn't exist..

Now I am sure you will say something smart to me.. Like is everything a religion then?

The answer is no.. It's just one of my phylosophical thoughts..

[Archduke Robert of France]

I don't know if it's indoctrination, but I grew up believing in God and all that. I later recanted as soon as I saw the hypocrisy of my parents and for many other complicated issues that only a psychologist would understand. My friend told me to watch "Jesus Camp", but I wouldn't dare buy that with my father around.

[Hauptmann Kauffman]

You could always watch it online:D And to reply to Hyper, religion is a belief in deities, not just raw belief. Atheists dont believe in deities, so therefre, atheism isnt a religion

[Sapphire]

It is a religion. It is a set of beliefs concerning the existence of God (denying it) and as such qualifies as a religion.

Anyway, it happens throughout the world with everything just in varying degrees. You can't stop it. It is one of those things which we have only a vague amount of influence over once the damage is done.

[Camazotz]

It's the parents' choice whether they want their kids to have the same religion. Think about it. When you have children, are you just going to let them grow up and choose? They dont know what's what and you have to guide them.When they get older, they can change religion, but until theyre old enough to understand, you cant keep them sealed from other religions.

[Hauptmann Kauffman]

Children should be taught about religion and the various religions as sociological and historical phenomena, and left to make their own minds up, when they have reached maturity, on the merits (such as they are) of the claims made by each. This is my belief. When I have children, that is what I plan to do, and I believe that is what every parent should do.