Think: Teaching religion to kids?

[xChrizOwnz]

As a twelve year old atheist, I look back and see how ridiculous these teachings were. Mainly focusing on Christianity there are many problems and moral decisions that this 'God' can't make. A good god murdering his own son. A god which enjoys human sacrifice and thinks that these actions are moral.

What do you think about teaching religion to kids. Would this be okay?

Let's back up a little though.

Isn't it odd how they teach you religion at a young age. A [much more] gullible age. An age where you can't even understand simple things in the world. An age where you can barely do your math problems. It's odd because kids like these can't challenge ideas that they're taught. They usually believe and follow in a parent's footsteps. It's no secret, if you learn as a kid then you'll follow in the footsteps of an elder, (it's likely).

Any thoughts or ideas on the subject. Would this even be safe for kids to learn?
Also, do you think that when the world gets a lot older, do you think religion will vanish as a whole?
Think about it.

[brimstoneSalad]

Dawkins is somewhat famous for making the argument that childhood religious indoctrination and labeling is a form of child abuse.

Somebody might have a link for that (I'm afraid I don't at the moment), it's probably better to hear it in his words.

Have you seen the Horizons documentary, I think it's called "the root of all evil"?

[miniboes]

As religion is quite a big part of the world, I think it is fair enough to teach your child about it. I don't think it's necessary in any way though, my parents never did and all three sons turned out fine. I do think it is wrong to tell your child that your particular belief is absolutely the right one, on any subject. A child, in my opinion, should grow up as open-minded as possible, indoctrination should be minimized.

Somebody might have a link for that (I'm afraid I don't at the moment), it's probably better to hear it in his words.

He says it quite often, telling a child it's going to hell is an example he uses often for what he would call child abuse. Here's a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sOPbn3XrdU

Speaking of child abuse, would you consider giving a young child a cigarette to smoke child abuse? If so, would the same go for giving the child an egg, as that is arguably more harmful than a cigarette? I guess bringing that up would not be a very effective strategy for promoting veganism.

[Jebus]

As religion is quite a big part of the world, I think it is fair enough to teach your child about it. I don't think it's necessary in any way though, my parents never did and all three sons turned out fine.

I'm confused here. Did you mean to write that your parents did teach you about religion and you and your brothers came out fine anyway? If not, the statement doesn't make much sense in this context.

Teaching kids that your preferred religion is the "true" religion is completely immoral and the root to most evil. I completely agree with Dawkins on this point. A good parent would encourage the child to learn about many religions and then decide for herself which one she will adhere to. Here is a good Dawkins link on the subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0Ks4pCO5O8

[xChrizOwnz]

Religion isn't a part of the world at all. It's a belief. Usually people tend not to teach their children that rape is okay as long as it's a virgin. Yes, telling a kid he'll go to hell so he'll submit out of fear. That's definitely abuse. It's the same as a threat.

It depends on which religion you're teaching, as a whole. Maybe a belief more logical and something with better leadership skills. What would be a role-model belief/moral value(s) for your to-be kids (if you dont have kids). Do you think that your kids should have belief's in any type of role-model?

After watching the God Delusion it does remind me how religion is nothing more than a virus that will spread in non-sanitary (uneducated) countries. When people run low on hope they pray to an invisible man to make all things better in an instant. When people are going through sickness they pray to this invisible man to take care of things. With any problem or mis-understanding they pray to this invisible, infallible thing to help it.

[miniboes]

I'm confused here. Did you mean to write that your parents did teach you about religion and you and your brothers came out fine anyway? If not, the statement doesn't make much sense in this context.

No, they did not teach us about religion, although that could be valuable, but my brothers and I have not had any problems being ignorant of religious beliefs. Probably because we live in a largely atheistic society.

Religion isn't a part of the world at all. It's a belief. Usually people tend not to teach their children that rape is okay as long as it's a virgin. Yes, telling a kid he'll go to hell so he'll submit out of fear. That's definitely abuse. It's the same as a threat.

Note that I said teaching about religion, not teaching religion. The latter would be saying "Jesus Christ died for our sins, then resurrected to rule alongside God", whilst teaching about religion would be "There is this group of people that believe this guy Jesus died to make up for humanity's mistakes, then came back from the dead." The latter is not actually indoctrinating, it is merely teaching your children about the beliefs they might encounter in the future.

Also, religion is a huge part of the world, whether it is true or not has no bearing on that. We got terrorist groups, crusades, religious politicians, creationists holding back proper science education, etc. All add up to be a pretty huge part of our world.

[Jebus]

No, they did not teach us about religion, although that could be valuable, but my brothers and I have not had any problems with that./quote]

Teaching about different religions usually takes place in school, and unless your parents are theologians it is unlikely to take place in the home, hence the confusion.

Note that I said teaching about religion, not teaching religion.

It's pretty obvious the OP in his opening post meant teaching religion but your replied as if he had meant teaching about religion.

[miniboes]

It's pretty obvious the OP in his opening post meant teaching religion but your replied as if he had meant teaching about religion.

I addressed both teaching about religion and teaching religion. I think to completely isolate your child from religion might not be the way to go either, that's why I specified I think teaching about religion is okay. It's just adding nuance.

[brimstoneSalad]

It's more important, and even crucial for the world, to teach children about science. And if you teach them science by saying "some people believe this", in the same way you teach world religions, you're doing them a disservice.

Children should be taught what is true, and perhaps even more importantly, how we know that it is true.

I would also teach children about religions, but I wouldn't let them come away from it thinking any of it was true, and if they did after a certain age then they should see a psychologist, because there's something wrong (like a child having an imaginary friend too late in life). Being unable to distinguish reality from fiction is a serious issue.

That said, I'd want to give them the chance to figure it out on their own first, because being able to figure things out for yourself is a huge boost to self confidence (like when kids figure out Santa isn't real- they feel clever, and that's a good feeling to instill in a child, one that will serve them in life and help them believe in themselves).

That's a feeling and life experience you're denying a child if you tell them santa/religions aren't real too early before they have a chance to work it out themselves.
However, if they don't figure it out for themselves (there is a small chance of this, if they aren't very bright or if they have emotional problems), it's hugely inappropriate to not inform them, and get them the psychological help they need; adults believing that santa/god/an imaginary friend/etc. is real is not healthy; I wouldn't even do that (leave to unhealthy delusion) to my worst enemy.

[Campbell305]

I think it depends. For parents to say you should believe this when you're to young to question something isn't right. Not sure if its relevant to this discussion but when it comes to religion in the classroom I think religion should be taught in history classes. After all religion has played a large part in history but teaching religion in a science classroom is just ridiculous.