Is it fair to brainwash our children?

[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.

I love my religious family and have been treated kindly by them and the churches I attended. I became an atheist because I no longer believe in God. That simple.

[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?

Yes I think this is wise. My devout Catholic mother taught comparative religion and we were taught about other world religions in respectful ways.

Both my DC’s religious based schools (Episcopalian and Catholic) did a good job of teaching about other world religions and Native American spirituality.

All world religions and native peoples have some version of the Golden Rule so that probably represents a transcendent moral code. Children should be taught different the way different religions and cultures express that moral imperative to treat others the way you would like to be treated.

I think there should probably be more done to promote respect for atheists and agnostics.

[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?

Yes I think this is wise. My devout Catholic mother taught comparative religion and we were taught about other world religions in respectful ways.

Both my DC’s religious based schools (Episcopalian and Catholic) did a good job of teaching about other world religions and Native American spirituality.

All world religions and native peoples have some version of the Golden Rule so that probably represents a transcendent moral code. Children should be taught different the way different religions and cultures express that moral imperative to treat others the way you would like to be treated.

I think there should probably be more done to promote respect for atheists and agnostics.

There are 4,000 religions in the world

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/visualizing-religions-worldwide/#

Even if you focused on the main 5 groups (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism) and added atheism that is a ridiculous waste of time when it is hard enough to get your kid to sit for piano lessons. Let alone the gigantic deltas in the thousands of sects between those groups and others they are likely to encounter (Scientology, Unitarian, Mormonism, etc.)

The main way we teach our kids is by example, and if we show our kids we are critical thinkers and skeptics they can make up their own mind about religion as well as any other topic, political, medical, etc. Examine evidence and make up your own mind.

Shouldn't that be sufficient?

[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?

Yes I think this is wise. My devout Catholic mother taught comparative religion and we were taught about other world religions in respectful ways.

Both my DC’s religious based schools (Episcopalian and Catholic) did a good job of teaching about other world religions and Native American spirituality.

All world religions and native peoples have some version of the Golden Rule so that probably represents a transcendent moral code. Children should be taught different the way different religions and cultures express that moral imperative to treat others the way you would like to be treated.

I think there should probably be more done to promote respect for atheists and agnostics.

There are 4,000 religions in the world

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/visualizing-religions-worldwide/#

Even if you focused on the main 5 groups (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism) and added atheism that is a ridiculous waste of time when it is hard enough to get your kid to sit for piano lessons. Let alone the gigantic deltas in the thousands of sects between those groups and others they are likely to encounter (Scientology, Unitarian, Mormonism, etc.)

The main way we teach our kids is by example, and if we show our kids we are critical thinkers and skeptics they can make up their own mind about religion as well as any other topic, political, medical, etc. Examine evidence and make up your own mind.

Shouldn't that be sufficient?

I don’t think they are mutually Exclusive and would agree that actions speak louder than words.

However basic religious literacy is critical to better understanding not only human identity but also culture and history from different perspectives .

[Anonymous]

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?

Yes I think this is wise. My devout Catholic mother taught comparative religion and we were taught about other world religions in respectful ways.

Both my DC’s religious based schools (Episcopalian and Catholic) did a good job of teaching about other world religions and Native American spirituality.

All world religions and native peoples have some version of the Golden Rule so that probably represents a transcendent moral code. Children should be taught different the way different religions and cultures express that moral imperative to treat others the way you would like to be treated.

I think there should probably be more done to promote respect for atheists and agnostics.

There are 4,000 religions in the world

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/visualizing-religions-worldwide/#

Even if you focused on the main 5 groups (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism) and added atheism that is a ridiculous waste of time when it is hard enough to get your kid to sit for piano lessons. Let alone the gigantic deltas in the thousands of sects between those groups and others they are likely to encounter (Scientology, Unitarian, Mormonism, etc.)

The main way we teach our kids is by example, and if we show our kids we are critical thinkers and skeptics they can make up their own mind about religion as well as any other topic, political, medical, etc. Examine evidence and make up your own mind.

Shouldn't that be sufficient?

I don’t think they are mutually Exclusive and would agree that actions speak louder than words.

However basic religious literacy is critical to better understanding not only human identity but also culture and history from different perspectives .

So why can't they learn as part of academic curriculums, as the way they learn about history and other cultures?

[Anonymous]

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?

Yes I think this is wise. My devout Catholic mother taught comparative religion and we were taught about other world religions in respectful ways.

Both my DC’s religious based schools (Episcopalian and Catholic) did a good job of teaching about other world religions and Native American spirituality.

All world religions and native peoples have some version of the Golden Rule so that probably represents a transcendent moral code. Children should be taught different the way different religions and cultures express that moral imperative to treat others the way you would like to be treated.

I think there should probably be more done to promote respect for atheists and agnostics.

There are 4,000 religions in the world

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/visualizing-religions-worldwide/#

Even if you focused on the main 5 groups (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism) and added atheism that is a ridiculous waste of time when it is hard enough to get your kid to sit for piano lessons. Let alone the gigantic deltas in the thousands of sects between those groups and others they are likely to encounter (Scientology, Unitarian, Mormonism, etc.)

The main way we teach our kids is by example, and if we show our kids we are critical thinkers and skeptics they can make up their own mind about religion as well as any other topic, political, medical, etc. Examine evidence and make up your own mind.

Shouldn't that be sufficient?

I don’t think they are mutually Exclusive and would agree that actions speak louder than words.

However basic religious literacy is critical to better understanding not only human identity but also culture and history from different perspectives .

So why can't they learn as part of academic curriculums, as the way they learn about history and other cultures?

Well that is an option as well. I imagine that way is Best that way for public and secular schools.

In our experience, many students loved religion classes and learning about other world religions as it is usually Done in - combination of academic, creative and reflective ways. Good religion teachers are non dogmatic and encourage safe spaces to explore beliefs in both analytical and personal ways.

However, for public or secular Schools, learning about world religions is probably Best addressed in age appropriate and academic ways.

I do think religion is critical to most of most humanity and certainly to history and culture. In several countries where we have lived, locals see religion are inextricably linked to everyday realities. Even in the West, our history, laws, science, art, philosophies and ethics are strongly tied to religious beliefs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Even in the West, our history, laws, science, art, philosophies and ethics are strongly tied to religious beliefs.

Not in the USA, though. Certainly in Western Europe. But that was explicitly rejected in the constitution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Even in the West, our history, laws, science, art, philosophies and ethics are strongly tied to religious beliefs.

Not in the USA, though. Certainly in Western Europe. But that was explicitly rejected in the constitution.

That was to promote freedom to pursue different religions rather than enforce just one - not to eradicate religion all together.

https://www.npr.org/2017/06/28/534765046/smithsonian-exhibit-explores-religious-diversitys-role-in-u-s-history

[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?

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 …

[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?

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.

[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?

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.

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

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 .

[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?

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.

[Anonymous]

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.