Parents who force their children into religion?

Prothet_of_Doom

Reference the brain washing : This will make you all laugh...

We were playing some board game, and my family had to guess who was my childhood superhero. I wrote JESUS....and have had the !!!! taken by my teenage kids mercilessly, despite the fact that I've tried to explain that at aged 8, I really did believe the propoganda and brain washing (as you tend to believe everything your parents tell you until aged 10) .

If we are ever lost in the Car, one of them will pipe up. "Dad, won't Jesus help us find the way" Grandparents not amused.

margaretclare

I note many contributors are slagging off Christianity, as if this was the only religion causing problems.

I've just read an updated report about a school dinner-lady who was dismissed because she gave a child a pork dinner when the child pointed to it. She said that 'it is impossible to keep track of all the different children, what they mustn't eat'. All she does is serve out the food they ask for.

Child's parents are reportedly 'emigrating to the UAE'. Mother's comment: 'the kids will grow up with a Muslim identity'. So, is that 'forcing children into religion', or is that quite OK as it's politically-correct and the said religion isn't one that comes in for all the criticism that Christianity comes in for?

CustardAndPickles

andygb wrote: »

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.

Sorry, but IMHO that's rubbish. Maybe things have changed since you were at school.

I attended a Roman Catholic primary school and a Roman Catholic Secondary School.

The Primary School didn't have RE classes. To be eligible to attend the Primary School you had to attend (at least monthly) the Roman Catholic church that was linked to it. Learning of prayers etc came from the church. There was a nativity play at Christmas-time.

The Secondary School was Roman Catholic but had children of different faiths including Hindu and those who followed Islam. They had a two hour RE class, which non-RC children could skip (they tended not to). We were not taught the Bible was "FACT" but that the Old Testament was more of a creation myth that was divinely inspired and the New Testament was differing views of events that were different because they were aimed at different audiences. We were taught what I recognise now as literary analysis of the Bible paired with history and geography of the time. The teachers encouraged debate and examination of other religions as to the differences and similarities with Roman Catholicism. The history of Roman Catholicism was also studied which mean we looked at (for instance) the Crusades - massive areas of history that weren't covered by the standard history curriculum in History class.

The only set of lessons I remember being strongly religious was the lessons on contraception. We didn't talk about condoms or the pill but there was a lesson (one two hour slot) on abortion. This was basically a pro-life two hours (SPUC style presentation / literature) with moral guidance on how unwanted pregnancies were less likely to happen if you didn't have casual sex (we were 13 / 14 at the time). It was tied along with other lessons in the curriculum - specifically reproduction in biology. This particular class was flagged up to parents via letter, and parents had the option of sending back the letter saying that they didn't want their child (of any religion) attending the class.

We were not indoctrinated at all - we were given the tools to think critically and analytically, given information from people who were not fundamentally pro-or-anti-religion. No one screaming that only religious people would be saved, or that religious people are stupid.

Person_one

coolcait wrote: »

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

'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.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure its not possible to 'indoctrinate' somebody into atheism. Its not a belief system itself, its just the lack of belief in any gods.

Even if a parent repeatedly tells their child 'there's no evidence for the existence of any gods' or 'I don't believe in any gods' then they're just telling them, well, the truth! Even the most zealous believers admit there's no evidence for their claims.

Person_one

lostinrates wrote: »

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.

The main, big, fundamental problem with faith schools is that they teach something as complete fact, unquestionable truth, that is just not.

As andygb says, schools should teach about religion, not teach that one is true!

VestanPance

I think any religious teaching in schools should be taught with the statement that there is no scientific or factual evidence to support any religion or higher being who's laws where written by humans as "word of god".

They all rely on "belief", which is a an unquestioning acceptance of something that cannot be proven. Would you apply that logic to any other part of your life?

Prothet_of_Doom

rather than teach religion, wouldn't it be better to teach morals and ethics ?

Person_one

Prothet_of_Doom wrote: »

rather than teach religion, wouldn't it be better to teach morals and ethics ?

Better to teach about all of them, then let them draw their own conclusions.

millysg1

I think my mother in law is what i would call a true christian. Why? Because she refused to get her children christened even though she is a devoted christian and aways involved with her church, e.g. cleaning it, running church cafe and festivals.

She believes children shouldnt be forced into their beliefs and hoped that when THEY were ready to accept god into their lives they should get baptised. It isnt a parents right to decide the religion of their child. She still took them to church but they always knew religion was to be discussed and they were allowed the question it and other religions.

A true chrisitan is accepting of all other peoples religious views even if they dont agree. It makes a better world if people are more accepting that not everyone has the same beliefs, but as long as those beliefs arent hurting anyone then that is fine. It is their choice.

millysg1

Prothet_of_Doom wrote: »

rather than teach religion, wouldn't it be better to teach morals and ethics ?

I wholeheartly agree!