Parents who force their children into religion?

Torry_Quine

geoffky wrote: »

You have no problem allowing your children to be brainwashed then when they have been you then give them a choice?

I don't actually have children but if I did then like all parents I would bring them in the way I thought best. As a believer then that would mean bringing them up in the faith, it's not brainwashing. It would be rather silly not to. I equally have no problem with atheistic parents bringing up children without faith.

geoffky

Of course it is brainwashing..To keep telling young children something over and over again that has serious doubt as to its truthfulness and threatening them with hell if they do not comply is not brainwashing then i do not know what is....This truth might hurt but that is how religion survives..Indoctrination

Torry_Quine

geoffky wrote: »

Of course it is brainwashing..To keep telling young children something over and over again that has serious doubt as to its truthfulness and threatening them with hell if they do not comply is not brainwashing then i do not know what is....This truth might hurt but that is how religion survives..Indoctrination

No it's telling them that as you believe that following Jesus is the only way to eternal life. Most parents only want the very best for their child(ren).

No answer re atheist parents.

coolcait

Person_one wrote: »

Really though, in order for them to make a fully informed choice, they'd have to take them to synagogue, mosque, temple, gurdwara and every other place of worship too, as well as having plenty of days of no religion at all.

That would also hold true if it were directed at putative parents of any religion.

Or putative parents "of no religion at all".

coolcait

geoffky wrote: »

Of course it is brainwashing..To keep telling young children something over and over again that has serious doubt as to its truthfulness and threatening them with hell if they do not comply is not brainwashing then i do not know what is....This truth might hurt but that is how religion survives..Indoctrination

And if an atheist parent is also "telling young children something over and over again" why would that not also be "brainwashing"?

Over the years, I have read many articles by atheists which - explicitly or implicitly - suggest that those who have a religious faith are intellectually 'lacking' in some way.

To my mind, that sort of behaviour could well be 'bullying' and/or 'threatening'.

'Indoctrination' is not the exclusive domain of those who have a religious belief. It is a tool which can also be used by those who eschew religion.

insured

A very interesting discussion, both well argued and which I have strong views; however, what has this to do with MSE?

andygb

insured wrote: »

A very interesting discussion, both well argued and which I have strong views; however, what has this to do with MSE?

If you read through MSE, you will see that it is far more than just "money saving". The various sub forums give a chance for people to ask advice, air their views, and generally interact with others.:)

andygb

coolcait wrote: »

'Indoctrination' is not the exclusive domain of those who have a religious belief. It is a tool which can also be used by those who eschew religion.

I think that you will find that most atheists/agnostics, are willing to let their children have a very complete education, and learn about ALL religions. They can then make a decision when they are old enough, whether they wish to believe or not believe.
If you send your child to a Catholic/Anglican/Church of England school, then they will receive religious instruction almost immediately, starting with prayers, then learning parables, then the bible. All of this is taught as FACT, and the children will be expected to accept the teachings as FACT.
The most worrying aspect (to me at least), is that these so called FACTS differ from religion to religion, yet the followers of these religions all believe implicitly that their religion is the true one, and that the others are false.
That is indoctrination, and it begins at a very early age.
It became apparent to me at a very early age (12), that adults do not like children asking too many questions about religion, and could become quite/very angry.

lostinrates

andygb wrote: »

I think that you will find that most atheists/agnostics, are willing to let their children have a very complete education, and learn about ALL religions. They can then make a decision when they are old enough, whether they wish to believe or not believe.
If you send your child to a Catholic/Anglican/Church of England school, then they will receive religious instruction almost immediately, starting with prayers, then learning parables, then the bible. All of this is taught as FACT, and the children will be expected to accept the teachings as FACT.
The most worrying aspect (to me at least), is that these so called FACTS differ from religion to religion, yet the followers of these religions all believe implicitly that their religion is the true one, and that the others are false.
That is indoctrination, and it begins at a very early age.
It became apparent to me at a very early age (12), that adults do not like children asking too many questions about religion, and could become quite/very angry.

I've been to several religious schools covering three denominations and including quite old fashioned convents. Religion was certainly a huge part of the ethos of all of them, yet, I have described how well supported I felt when I decided it was not for me.

At ALL of those ( private) schools there were pupils of other faiths. Perhaps that was some balance? The most closed school in opinion ( i think) was the most modern denomination and probably least number of parents in the denomination in question I think.

Prothet_of_Doom

And they call themselves Christian ? Ironic isn't it ? Jesus (assuming he existed and was the son of GOD) preached forgiveness and understanding. These so called Christians will (assuming there is a Hell) will find judgement day a bit of a shock, because they will be judged and found wanting.

I have Parents who are happy clappy, born again, dance in the church with guitar Christians, who didn't have me christened, becuase they thought that I should make up my own mind when I was in my Teens.
At aged 13 I looked around the people in our middle class church, and looked at the car park out side and decided that hypocritical would be a good way of describing these people.
How could they live in luxury, own such nice things, go on such expensive holidays, and have no guilt.
So when they suggested confirmation classes and a bapism, I told them in no uncertain terms that whilst I believed GOD might exist, I would never be going to Church again.
My mother cried, and my father prayed.
My father came back to me and said that he thought that my telling them this was a sign from GOD, and they would have to live more simply and do more to help others.
Within weeks we had a lad my age from a childrens home, come at weekends and share our lives, come on holiday with us. He took me to visit his mother who was an alcoholic with 9 children, all in care, apart from the adult one's. He took me to see his deaf brother and his wife and kids, and I went to parts of Birkenhead that shocked me.

I digress.

To the OP ... Suggest to the family that they sit down together and pray for guidance....Suggest that they pray separately.....Tell them that you have prayed and you are sure that GOD has told you to tell the father to back off and give his child the space to make his own decision.
You can't force someone to believe something you believe.