Is it fair to brainwash our children?

[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?

I think it's our responsibility to raise decent, moral children. Many parents have chosen exposure to one religion as a way of doing that, but there are many ways to accomplish the same goal, as many parents have, with and without religion.

Personally, I don't see the benefits of instilling "love of God" into kids. God is an invisible, supernatural being that many good people, including some children, don't believe in. Better, to instill love of, and respect for each other and the law.

I agree but concept of god is comforting when facing depression, troubles or grief.

Is it?

Is it comforting to know a god let your child die of cancer?

Is it comforting to know he created works where men rape infants?

Is it comforting to gay people to be called sinful and disordered?

Is it comforting to think a god said women should submit to their H?

Is it comforting to think a god created black skin as a curse?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My eldest kid is only 10 and I don’t need to “teach” these things. She has been exposed to Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Shintoism, atheism, and agnosticism simply by existing in the world and being an intellectually curious person.

How old are your kids that this is even a question?

Being exposed it nit being educated or understanding

I’m not sure you could be taught to understand a whole hell of a lot so maybe it doesn’t matter

[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?

I think it's our responsibility to raise decent, moral children. Many parents have chosen exposure to one religion as a way of doing that, but there are many ways to accomplish the same goal, as many parents have, with and without religion.

Personally, I don't see the benefits of instilling "love of God" into kids. God is an invisible, supernatural being that many good people, including some children, don't believe in. Better, to instill love of, and respect for each other and the law.

I agree but concept of god is comforting when facing depression, troubles or grief.

Is it?

Is it comforting to know a god let your child die of cancer?

Is it comforting to know he created works where men rape infants?

Is it comforting to gay people to be called sinful and disordered?

Is it comforting to think a god said women should submit to their H?

Is it comforting to think a god created black skin as a curse?

I think different people have different experiences with religion. In my case I could see an enormous positive impact of religion in tragic circumstances.
Two families I know well, both lost a son unexpectedly. The family that was more religoius was obviously stricken by grief but they never reached despair. They deeply believed God did not abandon them even in their deep sorrow, even when was hard to make sense of what happened. They actually became more sensitive to other people pain.
The other family became very resentful and angry with God and with the entire world, they isolated themselves and lost all hope in life.
Obviously I don’t want bad things in my life but shit can happen all the time (a disease, an unexpected dearh, a job loss etc) and so far I found in God (and religion) life meaning, hope and strenght

[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?

I think it's our responsibility to raise decent, moral children. Many parents have chosen exposure to one religion as a way of doing that, but there are many ways to accomplish the same goal, as many parents have, with and without religion.

Personally, I don't see the benefits of instilling "love of God" into kids. God is an invisible, supernatural being that many good people, including some children, don't believe in. Better, to instill love of, and respect for each other and the law.

I agree but concept of god is comforting when facing depression, troubles or grief.

God is comforting to some, but not all. As another poster mentioned, whisky and opiates can work. Also, a nice walk in the woods or a good movie or a talk with a good friend or therapist

[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?

I think it's our responsibility to raise decent, moral children. Many parents have chosen exposure to one religion as a way of doing that, but there are many ways to accomplish the same goal, as many parents have, with and without religion.

Personally, I don't see the benefits of instilling "love of God" into kids. God is an invisible, supernatural being that many good people, including some children, don't believe in. Better, to instill love of, and respect for each other and the law.

I agree but concept of god is comforting when facing depression, troubles or grief.

Is it?

Is it comforting to know a god let your child die of cancer?

Is it comforting to know he created works where men rape infants?

Is it comforting to gay people to be called sinful and disordered?

Is it comforting to think a god said women should submit to their H?

Is it comforting to think a god created black skin as a curse?

I think different people have different experiences with religion. In my case I could see an enormous positive impact of religion in tragic circumstances.
Two families I know well, both lost a son unexpectedly. The family that was more religoius was obviously stricken by grief but they never reached despair. They deeply believed God did not abandon them even in their deep sorrow, even when was hard to make sense of what happened. They actually became more sensitive to other people pain.
The other family became very resentful and angry with God and with the entire world, they isolated themselves and lost all hope in life.
Obviously I don’t want bad things in my life but shit can happen all the time (a disease, an unexpected dearh, a job loss etc) and so far I found in God (and religion) life meaning, hope and strenght

So sorry to hear about the people who approached grief by becoming "angry with God." Better, in my opinion, if they had just left God out of it. In that example, belief in God was a hindrance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My eldest kid is only 10 and I don’t need to “teach” these things. She has been exposed to Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Shintoism, atheism, and agnosticism simply by existing in the world and being an intellectually curious person.

How old are your kids that this is even a question?

Being exposed it nit being educated or understanding

I’m not sure you could be taught to understand a whole hell of a lot so maybe it doesn’t matter

Overall, the tone of this conversation has been informative and uplifting. Thanks to OP for raising the issue.

[Anonymous]

It’s much easier to learn about another religion when you understand one really well. You can transfer the framework of understanding from one to another. That is better than having a superficial understanding of multiple ones.

[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?

We did that. Christianity won.

[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?

Your responsibility to teach your children to obey their parents and help them become responsible citizens. Perhaps they’ll find some faith on their own.

[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?

I think it's our responsibility to raise decent, moral children. Many parents have chosen exposure to one religion as a way of doing that, but there are many ways to accomplish the same goal, as many parents have, with and without religion.

Personally, I don't see the benefits of instilling "love of God" into kids. God is an invisible, supernatural being that many good people, including some children, don't believe in. Better, to instill love of, and respect for each other and the law.

I agree but concept of god is comforting when facing depression, troubles or grief.

Is it?

Is it comforting to know a god let your child die of cancer?

Is it comforting to know he created works where men rape infants?

Is it comforting to gay people to be called sinful and disordered?

Is it comforting to think a god said women should submit to their H?

Is it comforting to think a god created black skin as a curse?

I think different people have different experiences with religion. In my case I could see an enormous positive impact of religion in tragic circumstances.
Two families I know well, both lost a son unexpectedly. The family that was more religoius was obviously stricken by grief but they never reached despair. They deeply believed God did not abandon them even in their deep sorrow, even when was hard to make sense of what happened. They actually became more sensitive to other people pain.
The other family became very resentful and angry with God and with the entire world, they isolated themselves and lost all hope in life.
Obviously I don’t want bad things in my life but shit can happen all the time (a disease, an unexpected dearh, a job loss etc) and so far I found in God (and religion) life meaning, hope and strenght

You know someone who didn’t believe in god blame god? Hmm.

Not gonna address the hate rhetoric?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t you do what you want with your kids and let the rest of the world do what it wants with theirs.

+1

This is the answer. We do not get to choose how people raise their own children.

Where do posters here get the idea that they have any right to do so? It’s extremely weird. I mean it’s beyond me how posters here believe they or anyone has a right to tell parents how to raise their own children. Op and other people posting here: you do not have any rights to determine if a parent is raising their child/children to your standards.

Op- you have issues with your childhood and your parents. That is best dealt with in therapy. You should stop worrying or thinking about how other people are raising their kids. Worry about yourself.

There are lots of children living in homes in which they are being neglected and/or abused. Perhaps volunteer as a guardian ad litem for those kids. Make a real difference in the life of a vulnerable and abused child. Stop obsessing about people taking their kids to church and families raising their kids in a faith tradition.

[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?

We did that. Christianity won.

Christianity won quickly and effectively. The other “religions” were overwhelmed and relegated to obscurity. The people posting here who are hostile to Christianity are historically ignorant and do not realize that fact. We are speaking of the Western world in this context.

The flip side is hostile to Christianity/religion posters know this, and are gnashing their teeth with impotent rage. Thus, the “we should teach everyone’s kids about all religions! IT’S NOT FAIR” posters whining here very often.

No: if you want to offer an alternative and want that alternative populated significantly, go for it. I suspect that people understand that and thus the hatred here exhibited for Christianity.

The poster who repeatedly mentions the decline of Christianity in the United States will post soon. Ok.

Check out the growth Christianity im Africa, Asia. Christianity is growing worldwide. A humble carpenter was tortured and executed by His corrupt government- but He lives all over the world today. Amen!

(That ties in with the “we should ban all missionaries” posts that rear their delusional thread heads here often. No, we aren’t going to ban missionaries. You don’t get to dictate to the world what is done because you disagree with something.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it fair to brainwash children into thinking that everything in life can be chosen?

What choices can’t we make?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it fair to brainwash children into thinking that everything in life can be chosen?

What choices can’t we make?

Where we are born, our health, who are parents are, circumstances of our life, color of our skin, etc

[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?

We did that. Christianity won.

Christianity won quickly and effectively. The other “religions” were overwhelmed and relegated to obscurity. The people posting here who are hostile to Christianity are historically ignorant and do not realize that fact. We are speaking of the Western world in this context.

The flip side is hostile to Christianity/religion posters know this, and are gnashing their teeth with impotent rage. Thus, the “we should teach everyone’s kids about all religions! IT’S NOT FAIR” posters whining here very often.

No: if you want to offer an alternative and want that alternative populated significantly, go for it. I suspect that people understand that and thus the hatred here exhibited for Christianity.

The poster who repeatedly mentions the decline of Christianity in the United States will post soon. Ok.

Check out the growth Christianity im Africa, Asia. Christianity is growing worldwide. A humble carpenter was tortured and executed by His corrupt government- but He lives all over the world today. Amen!

(That ties in with the “we should ban all missionaries” posts that rear their delusional thread heads here often. No, we aren’t going to ban missionaries. You don’t get to dictate to the world what is done because you disagree with something.)

It’s not delusional to point out how unethical some missionaries are.

And some ”belief systems” spread faster than others. eg. Q