Is it fair to brainwash our children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get the how useful it is for humans to have morality and love of God but find it questionable to teach kids about just one religion because that's what I was taught by my parents who were taught by theirs.

I wonder if as parents its our responsibility to introduce them to all major religions, as well as concepts of agnosticism and atheism?

If we want our children to be well educated and well rounded, yes it is important to make sure they that they appreciate different religions and how religious beliefs and practices helped to shape history and culture around the world.

Importance of religion in appreciating world history

Religions have been a basic factor of human history in all places and times, and remain so in our own world today. They have been some of the most important forces shaping knowledge, the arts, and technology.


https://history.yale.edu/undergraduate/current-students/regions-and-pathways/religion-context#:~:text=Religions%20have%20been%20a%20basic,%2C%20the%20arts%2C%20and%20technology. nd%20technology.)

Religion in American History and Politics
Selected and introduced by
David Tucker, Ellen Tucker & Sarah A. Morgan Smith

https://teachingamericanhistory.org/collections/religion-in-american-history-and-politics-25-core-docs/

From the beginning, religion played an important role in shaping Americans' identity and purpose: colonization efforts were undertaken in the name of God, with the evangelization of the native peoples or the chance to establish a society in accordance with Biblical ideals included among the many ends of settlement …

The native peoples were forcibly Christianized. They already had their own, non-Christian religions.

Agreed - as were many slaves . However for better or worse, religion has played a huge role in history, culture and Politics in US and elsewhere .

I absolutely support learning about indigenous religious beliefs and experiences as well as other religions which spread through colonialism or war.

You know, there is a gigantic difference between learning about religions and history, and being taught catechism and other religious dogma?

Fortunately, people have agency today to evaluate religions on their own. “Brainwashing” overhypes what is going on.

I think you're right. Today, there are many outlets for different information and opinions about religion and just about anything -- this forum being an example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get the how useful it is for humans to have morality and love of God but find it questionable to teach kids about just one religion because that's what I was taught by my parents who were taught by theirs.

I wonder if as parents its our responsibility to introduce them to all major religions, as well as concepts of agnosticism and atheism?

If we want our children to be well educated and well rounded, yes it is important to make sure they that they appreciate different religions and how religious beliefs and practices helped to shape history and culture around the world.

Importance of religion in appreciating world history

Religions have been a basic factor of human history in all places and times, and remain so in our own world today. They have been some of the most important forces shaping knowledge, the arts, and technology.


https://history.yale.edu/undergraduate/current-students/regions-and-pathways/religion-context#:~:text=Religions%20have%20been%20a%20basic,%2C%20the%20arts%2C%20and%20technology. nd%20technology.)

Religion in American History and Politics
Selected and introduced by
David Tucker, Ellen Tucker & Sarah A. Morgan Smith

https://teachingamericanhistory.org/collections/religion-in-american-history-and-politics-25-core-docs/

From the beginning, religion played an important role in shaping Americans' identity and purpose: colonization efforts were undertaken in the name of God, with the evangelization of the native peoples or the chance to establish a society in accordance with Biblical ideals included among the many ends of settlement …

The native peoples were forcibly Christianized. They already had their own, non-Christian religions.

Agreed - as were many slaves . However for better or worse, religion has played a huge role in history, culture and Politics in US and elsewhere .

I absolutely support learning about indigenous religious beliefs and experiences as well as other religions which spread through colonialism or war.

You know, there is a gigantic difference between learning about religions and history, and being taught catechism and other religious dogma?

Yes that is why I think the approaches of religious schools and public / secular schools should be different.

Our DC attended both public and private religious schools. They actually did both attempt to teach comparative religion in helpful ways .

My understanding of comparative religion is that it does not teach that one religion is correct.

I think most kids are taught that their family's religion is correct, and that different religions, while correct for the people who believe in them, are not correct for their family. In the US, there is no state religion and people are taught to respect other religions, while believing that theirs is correct.

For many of us it is not that we believe that our religion is correct but that is offers one of many spiritual disciplines that resonate/ make sense culturally with us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get the how useful it is for humans to have morality and love of God but find it questionable to teach kids about just one religion because that's what I was taught by my parents who were taught by theirs.

I wonder if as parents its our responsibility to introduce them to all major religions, as well as concepts of agnosticism and atheism?

If we want our children to be well educated and well rounded, yes it is important to make sure they that they appreciate different religions and how religious beliefs and practices helped to shape history and culture around the world.

Importance of religion in appreciating world history

Religions have been a basic factor of human history in all places and times, and remain so in our own world today. They have been some of the most important forces shaping knowledge, the arts, and technology.


https://history.yale.edu/undergraduate/current-students/regions-and-pathways/religion-context#:~:text=Religions%20have%20been%20a%20basic,%2C%20the%20arts%2C%20and%20technology. nd%20technology.)

Religion in American History and Politics
Selected and introduced by
David Tucker, Ellen Tucker & Sarah A. Morgan Smith

https://teachingamericanhistory.org/collections/religion-in-american-history-and-politics-25-core-docs/

From the beginning, religion played an important role in shaping Americans' identity and purpose: colonization efforts were undertaken in the name of God, with the evangelization of the native peoples or the chance to establish a society in accordance with Biblical ideals included among the many ends of settlement …

The native peoples were forcibly Christianized. They already had their own, non-Christian religions.

Agreed - as were many slaves . However for better or worse, religion has played a huge role in history, culture and Politics in US and elsewhere .

I absolutely support learning about indigenous religious beliefs and experiences as well as other religions which spread through colonialism or war.

You know, there is a gigantic difference between learning about religions and history, and being taught catechism and other religious dogma?

Yes that is why I think the approaches of religious schools and public / secular schools should be different.

Our DC attended both public and private religious schools. They actually did both attempt to teach comparative religion in helpful ways .

My understanding of comparative religion is that it does not teach that one religion is correct.

I think most kids are taught that their family's religion is correct, and that different religions, while correct for the people who believe in them, are not correct for their family. In the US, there is no state religion and people are taught to respect other religions, while believing that theirs is correct.

For many of us it is not that we believe that our religion is correct but that is offers one of many spiritual disciplines that resonate/ make sense culturally with us.

This makes religion sound like a personal choice, but usually, religion is something that parents teach their children. The children are raised in the religion that their parents want them to be raised in.

[Anonymous]

why don't you teach them to be thoughtful, critical, considerate, curious, and careful about anything they encounter, and then also share with them your tradition, that they will critically engage. This is the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:why don't you teach them to be thoughtful, critical, considerate, curious, and careful about anything they encounter, and then also share with them your tradition, that they will critically engage. This is the way.

Teaching kindness and critical thinking is not mutually exclusive with teaching comparative religion.

Religion has okayed a critical role in shaping histories, cultures, laws, philosophies, Science art and more …

But you are correct that personal character responsibility and kindness need to be at the foundation of such studies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why don't you teach them to be thoughtful, critical, considerate, curious, and careful about anything they encounter, and then also share with them your tradition, that they will critically engage. This is the way.

Teaching kindness and critical thinking is not mutually exclusive with teaching comparative religion.

Religion has okayed a critical role in shaping histories, cultures, laws, philosophies, Science art and more …

But you are correct that personal character responsibility and kindness need to be at the foundation of such studies.

Yes, religion has played a critical role in shaping histories, etc., and I believe that such a role could have been, and has been, played by other forces. There are very moral people who are not religious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why don't you teach them to be thoughtful, critical, considerate, curious, and careful about anything they encounter, and then also share with them your tradition, that they will critically engage. This is the way.

Teaching kindness and critical thinking is not mutually exclusive with teaching comparative religion.

Religion has okayed a critical role in shaping histories, cultures, laws, philosophies, Science art and more …

But you are correct that personal character responsibility and kindness need to be at the foundation of such studies.

Yes, religion has played a critical role in shaping histories, etc., and I believe that such a role could have been, and has been, played by other forces. There are very moral people who are not religious.

No question about that - none - but the fact remains that religious beliefs and practices have shaped societies around the world - and to continue to shape them.

It is important for youth to be aware of what thoughts, beliefs and practices contributed to different parts of reality.

I strongly support division of church and state but not for revising history and reality to fit one belief system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why don't you teach them to be thoughtful, critical, considerate, curious, and careful about anything they encounter, and then also share with them your tradition, that they will critically engage. This is the way.

Teaching kindness and critical thinking is not mutually exclusive with teaching comparative religion.

Religion has okayed a critical role in shaping histories, cultures, laws, philosophies, Science art and more …

But you are correct that personal character responsibility and kindness need to be at the foundation of such studies.

Yes, religion has played a critical role in shaping histories, etc., and I believe that such a role could have been, and has been, played by other forces. There are very moral people who are not religious.

No question about that - none - but the fact remains that religious beliefs and practices have shaped societies around the world - and to continue to shape them.

It is important for youth to be aware of what thoughts, beliefs and practices contributed to different parts of reality.

I strongly support division of church and state but not for revising history and reality to fit one belief system.

Certainly no one belief system should supersede others, or supersede civil law. Unfortunately, today in the US, it often seems like fundamentalist Christians disagree and want the US to be a Christian nation. I don't thin it will happen, though.

Youth can easily be aware of religion's affect on society without subscribing to one religion. In fact, I think it's preferable for people to understand multiple religious faiths - and not necessarily to believe in any of them.

[Anonymous]

I teach my kids about different religions as a consequence of living in a multicultural society and region and as a conscious effort to help them to better understand others and the world around them. That said, I don't think it's "brainwashing" to practice our religion (attend services, read bedtime stories, send them to Sunday school, celebrate holidays, sing songs, etc). That's part of having a religion and being part of a religious community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I teach my kids about different religions as a consequence of living in a multicultural society and region and as a conscious effort to help them to better understand others and the world around them. That said, I don't think it's "brainwashing" to practice our religion (attend services, read bedtime stories, send them to Sunday school, celebrate holidays, sing songs, etc). That's part of having a religion and being part of a religious community.

It isn't brainwashing if your religion does not say that only your beliefs are correct and will result in an eternity in Heaven with God. I don't know of any western religion like that, except Unitarianism.

Of course, there are a lot of "cultural" Christians, Jews,Hindus, etc, who don't follow the laws of their religion, but celebrate the holidays and the general culture in a secular way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach my kids about different religions as a consequence of living in a multicultural society and region and as a conscious effort to help them to better understand others and the world around them. That said, I don't think it's "brainwashing" to practice our religion (attend services, read bedtime stories, send them to Sunday school, celebrate holidays, sing songs, etc). That's part of having a religion and being part of a religious community.

It isn't brainwashing if your religion does not say that only your beliefs are correct and will result in an eternity in Heaven with God. I don't know of any western religion like that, except Unitarianism.

Of course, there are a lot of "cultural" Christians, Jews,Hindus, etc, who don't follow the laws of their religion, but celebrate the holidays and the general culture in a secular way.

Judaism isn't about being "correct" or about "eternity in Heaven." I don't know enough about Hinduism, but I don't think they proselytize, which usually means they're not worried about others being "wrong" or in danger of eternal hell, or whatever. So much of this "brainwashing" discussion seems to center evangelical Christianity, when plenty of religions (especially in their modern forms) just aren't like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach my kids about different religions as a consequence of living in a multicultural society and region and as a conscious effort to help them to better understand others and the world around them. That said, I don't think it's "brainwashing" to practice our religion (attend services, read bedtime stories, send them to Sunday school, celebrate holidays, sing songs, etc). That's part of having a religion and being part of a religious community.

It isn't brainwashing if your religion does not say that only your beliefs are correct and will result in an eternity in Heaven with God. I don't know of any western religion like that, except Unitarianism.

Of course, there are a lot of "cultural" Christians, Jews,Hindus, etc, who don't follow the laws of their religion, but celebrate the holidays and the general culture in a secular way.

Judaism isn't about being "correct" or about "eternity in Heaven." I don't know enough about Hinduism, but I don't think they proselytize, which usually means they're not worried about others being "wrong" or in danger of eternal hell, or whatever. So much of this "brainwashing" discussion seems to center evangelical Christianity, when plenty of religions (especially in their modern forms) just aren't like that.

Google tells me that while the Jewish religion ascribes to an afterlife, many Jews do not.

While evangelical Christians are currently the most adamant Christians re brainwashing, the afterlife, whether in Heaven or Hell, is a basic belief of Christianity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get the how useful it is for humans to have morality and love of God but find it questionable to teach kids about just one religion because that's what I was taught by my parents who were taught by theirs.

I wonder if as parents its our responsibility to introduce them to all major religions, as well as concepts of agnosticism and atheism?

Are you asking if it is fairer to brainwash your children with several religions rather than one religion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get the how useful it is for humans to have morality and love of God but find it questionable to teach kids about just one religion because that's what I was taught by my parents who were taught by theirs.

I wonder if as parents its our responsibility to introduce them to all major religions, as well as concepts of agnosticism and atheism?

Are you asking if it is fairer to brainwash your children with several religions rather than one religion?

Teaching that there is only one way, and that you will go to hell if you think otherwise is brainwashing.

Teaching that people practice, numerous different religions, and teaching children about these religions, is not brainwashing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get the how useful it is for humans to have morality and love of God but find it questionable to teach kids about just one religion because that's what I was taught by my parents who were taught by theirs.

I wonder if as parents its our responsibility to introduce them to all major religions, as well as concepts of agnosticism and atheism?

Are you asking if it is fairer to brainwash your children with several religions rather than one religion?

Teaching that there is only one way, and that you will go to hell if you think otherwise is brainwashing.

Teaching that people practice, numerous different religions, and teaching children about these religions, is not brainwashing

Agree

Plus the import of religion in shaping histories, cultures, laws, philosophies and art is not brainwashing