Is it fair to brainwash our children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In the US, children are property, owned by their parents until they’re 18. They have no rights of their own.

That’s completely untrue and you are out of your mind if you think that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m finding this question hard to process. Parenting isn’t about being fair. Presumably parents know more than their kids, so while they may listen to a reasonable argument, the parent’s vote has to outweigh the child’s. Parenting obligates us to pass along our values and experience to our kids, teaching them to make good choices and avoid bad ones. Sometimes, inevitably, we’ll be wrong. We “brainwash” our children to:

eat vegetables even if it doesn’t taste as good as chocolate ice cream
not to hit people when they get mad
to do their work before play
to treat others with courtesy, respect, and hopefully some kindness
to tell the truth, even when it gets them in trouble
not to steal
etc.

Whatever your religious views (or lack thereof) are, presumably you feel that those are the views that promise the best outcome while avoiding the bad ones. That may mean going to heaven instead of going to hell, not falling for a lot of “superstitious nonsense”, etc. Whatever your beliefs about religion may be, they strike at fundamental questions and potentially have profound implications. If you truly believe in heaven and hell, would you not do everything you can to see your child end up spending eternity in paradise rather than never-ending torment, not to mention finding spiritual comfort during their life? If you believe something else, wouldn’t you do whatever you could to ensure the best outcome for your child?

So is it fair to brainwash our children about religion? of course not
Is it right to brainwash our children about religion? If a parent truly believes their religion will help their child and not passing along those beliefs will hurt the child, then they have a duty to share that viewpoint with their child.

Ultimately, whatever you teach the child, they’ll eventually make their own decisions, on everything. All a parent can do is pass on the best information they have to a child and hope it’s helpful.

Can't see that it's helpful to a child to insist that they believe in a supernatural being who lives in the sky and judges them.

Do you insist that they believe in Santa Claus? When they stop believing in Santa, do you get upset?

But teaching them that there isn’t something greater than themselves and that God doesn’t exist isn’t brainwashing? You’re also teaching your child your beliefs as fact. Ie, brainwashing by your definition.

+1

Very hypocritical, aren’t they? It’s honestly a joke.

There are lots of beings grater than your child - human beings who can be seen, not invisible beings like god. You don't need to tell your kid that god doesn't exist -- just don't tell them that god DOES exist.

And who says that atheists teach their kids that god doesn't exist? It's religious people who tell their kids stories about god, not atheists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it interesting that people think we cannot teach morals or the concept of a greater humanity without using religion. I have certainly been able to do so.

Of course orals can be taught without religion.. Part of the lore of religion is to tell parents that religion is needed to Make children moral. It simply is not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the US, children are property, owned by their parents until they’re 18. They have no rights of their own.

That’s completely untrue and you are out of your mind if you think that.

+1 never come to this forum to learn anything- lots of misinformation and ignorance here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the US, children are property, owned by their parents until they’re 18. They have no rights of their own.

That’s completely untrue and you are out of your mind if you think that.

+1 never come to this forum to learn anything- lots of misinformation and ignorance here.

Why do you come to this forum?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the US, children are property, owned by their parents until they’re 18. They have no rights of their own.

That’s completely untrue and you are out of your mind if you think that.

+1 never come to this forum to learn anything- lots of misinformation and ignorance here.

Why do you come to this forum?

Why do you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the US, children are property, owned by their parents until they’re 18. They have no rights of their own.

That’s completely untrue and you are out of your mind if you think that.

+1 never come to this forum to learn anything- lots of misinformation and ignorance here.

Why do you come to this forum?

Why do you?

To discuss religious issues. To see what's on people's minds.

[Anonymous]

I am not religious but I don't think it is brainwashing for religious people to teach their children their religious beliefs as they truly believe it is good for their children to have the same beliefs.

However, I think it is wrong for parents to deny their children the opportunity to explore other religions (or lack of belief) as they get older. From my experience with friends from very religious families, having the religion pushed on them at home and at school led to many becoming atheist or agnostic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not religious but I don't think it is brainwashing for religious people to teach their children their religious beliefs as they truly believe it is good for their children to have the same beliefs.

However, I think it is wrong for parents to deny their children the opportunity to explore other religions (or lack of belief) as they get older. From my experience with friends from very religious families, having the religion pushed on them at home and at school led to many becoming atheist or agnostic.

I hope you're not suggesting that a reason not to push religion on a child is because it will have the negative effect of making them atheist or agnostic.

Some kids are atheist or agnostic without any parental input. Some people put a lot of thought into leaving religion. Becoming atheist or agnostic is not a negative thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In the US, children are property, owned by their parents until they’re 18. They have no rights of their own.

Are you confusing children with pets ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the US, children are property, owned by their parents until they’re 18. They have no rights of their own.

That’s completely untrue and you are out of your mind if you think that.

+1 never come to this forum to learn anything- lots of misinformation and ignorance here.

Why do you come to this forum?

Why do you?

To discuss religious issues. To see what's on people's minds.

back to you -- why do you come?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not religious but I don't think it is brainwashing for religious people to teach their children their religious beliefs as they truly believe it is good for their children to have the same beliefs.

However, I think it is wrong for parents to deny their children the opportunity to explore other religions (or lack of belief) as they get older. From my experience with friends from very religious families, having the religion pushed on them at home and at school led to many becoming atheist or agnostic.

I hope you're not suggesting that a reason not to push religion on a child is because it will have the negative effect of making them atheist or agnostic.

Some kids are atheist or agnostic without any parental input. Some people put a lot of thought into leaving religion. Becoming atheist or agnostic is not a negative thing.

No I am not saying that. I was just noting what I observed with some of my friends from very strict religious families. I agree becoming atheist or agnostic is not a negative thing. I think it is fine to teach children what you believe but ultimately they will make their own decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not religious but I don't think it is brainwashing for religious people to teach their children their religious beliefs as they truly believe it is good for their children to have the same beliefs.

However, I think it is wrong for parents to deny their children the opportunity to explore other religions (or lack of belief) as they get older. From my experience with friends from very religious families, having the religion pushed on them at home and at school led to many becoming atheist or agnostic.

I hope you're not suggesting that a reason not to push religion on a child is because it will have the negative effect of making them atheist or agnostic.

Some kids are atheist or agnostic without any parental input. Some people put a lot of thought into leaving religion. Becoming atheist or agnostic is not a negative thing.

No I am not saying that. I was just noting what I observed with some of my friends from very strict religious families. I agree becoming atheist or agnostic is not a negative thing. I think it is fine to teach children what you believe but ultimately they will make their own decisions.

OK., Got it. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not religious but I don't think it is brainwashing for religious people to teach their children their religious beliefs as they truly believe it is good for their children to have the same beliefs.

However, I think it is wrong for parents to deny their children the opportunity to explore other religions (or lack of belief) as they get older. From my experience with friends from very religious families, having the religion pushed on them at home and at school led to many becoming atheist or agnostic.

I hope you're not suggesting that a reason not to push religion on a child is because it will have the negative effect of making them atheist or agnostic.

Some kids are atheist or agnostic without any parental input. Some people put a lot of thought into leaving religion. Becoming atheist or agnostic is not a negative thing.

Many atheists posting here say their family was religious and they left their religion to become atheist because of negative experiences with their family. My opinion is that it’s a family conflict and the atheist is rejecting their family to become atheist… they dislike their family. The religion itself isn’t the issue.

That would be why atheists feel rejected and alone in society and culture, and feel defensive and are constantly trying to “prove” everyone wrong. They don’t get that their experience is not the experience of everyone raised with a religious belief, and many people love their religious families and were treated kindly by their religious families and churches, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not religious but I don't think it is brainwashing for religious people to teach their children their religious beliefs as they truly believe it is good for their children to have the same beliefs.

However, I think it is wrong for parents to deny their children the opportunity to explore other religions (or lack of belief) as they get older. From my experience with friends from very religious families, having the religion pushed on them at home and at school led to many becoming atheist or agnostic.

I hope you're not suggesting that a reason not to push religion on a child is because it will have the negative effect of making them atheist or agnostic.

Some kids are atheist or agnostic without any parental input. Some people put a lot of thought into leaving religion. Becoming atheist or agnostic is not a negative thing.

Many atheists posting here say their family was religious and they left their religion to become atheist because of negative experiences with their family. My opinion is that it’s a family conflict and the atheist is rejecting their family to become atheist… they dislike their family. The religion itself isn’t the issue.

That would be why atheists feel rejected and alone in society and culture, and feel defensive and are constantly trying to “prove” everyone wrong. They don’t get that their experience is not the experience of everyone raised with a religious belief, and many people love their religious families and were treated kindly by their religious families and churches, etc.

That is a massive overgeneralization and I believe is largely untrue .

I had no issues with my family or my Catholic upbringing. It just never made sense to me and still does not. I just don’t think there is sufficient evidence to believe, and my experiences that’s how the vast majority of atheists come to that conclusion. Yes, there are exceptions. But lack of belief almost always comes from a logical foundation, which is why you are getting logic questions here and not faith or emotional based ones.