Is indoctrinating children into a religion against their will borderline child abuse? [Spirituality & Religion]
Regardless of religion, is bringing up children into a religion without giving them a choice child abuse?
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It depends on the circumstances. With Christianity, generally the child gladly accepts what they are taught , and, as they mature they either continue in that belief or change their beliefs. There is a political ideology that is called a religion where the child is never allowed to change beliefs in the theocratic nations that subscribe to this political ideology, and may even be killed in free nations for changing beliefs. This political ideology holds the death penalty for apostasy in some countries.
Most religions are humanity reaching for God, but Christianity is God reaching out to humanity. This allows for a different dynamic, and abuse is rare.
Most religions are humanity reaching for God, but Christianity is God reaching out to humanity. This allows for a different dynamic, and abuse is rare.
I'm a heretic, myself, but I staunchly defend mainstream Christianity. True Christians are servants of their fellow. They feed, and clothe, and teach ,and build hospitals, and dig wells, and provide medical care. I like what James says about it in the New Testament.
" Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
" Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Shaun · 26-30, M
@puck61 Science eradicated smallpox. Science gave us vaccinations against polio, hepatitis, tuberculosis, meningitis, measles, mumps etc. Science allowed us to make flying machines and reach for the stars. Science allows you to refrigerate food to keep it cool and fresh. Science has made our drinking water clean.
It is up to businesses or charities like the church to get the products of science out there. Corruption of big pharma and 3rd world countries are not down to the scientist.
It is up to businesses or charities like the church to get the products of science out there. Corruption of big pharma and 3rd world countries are not down to the scientist.
@Shaun Of course. This is common knowledge. Someone has to step out of the laboratory and roll up their sleeves though, and that is where the altruism comes in. Doctors without borders is a good non secular organization that deserves credit also, but 'Christians' and 'Christianity' have been saving lives all over the world at the risk of their own lives. Some people die blowing people up and they are called martyrs. Other people die building people up, and they are the real martyrs.
SW-User
@puck61 very subjective viewpoint on children raised in Christianity. I know many who would claim to have been permanently damaged by all the guilt peddling - particularly around sexuality
@SW-User Sounds pretty weird to me. More 'new progressivism' thinking. Same people who push ideas like participation trophies, and 63 genders, and such nonsense.
Shaun · 26-30, M
@puck61 athiesm has been around much longer than any religion so it definitely isn’t new. I think the issue with religion is if one or a small group of people believe some weird stuff, they’re crazy, but to get 2 billion people to believe it somehow makes it the norm. The participation trophies and 63 genders are, I agree, bullshit.
SW-User
You don't think telling people masturbation is a sin is weird?!? You're in deep! 😜
@SW-User Who said anything about that? There's all kinds of weird stuff involved with religion. I'm saying that teaching a child Christianity or Hindu or Judaism or Shinto is not abuse. The abuse comes when certain actions are taken if the child violates a certain doctrinal law.
SW-User
@puck61 the Catholic Church for one! I would argue it isn't just the actions but the messages which are essentially emotionally abusive.
@SW-User Of course. I'm just saying that raising your child with most major religions is not abusive in itself. It is the things that are done to the child if the child strays from doctrine or violates some law, that is abusive. Abused Christian or Hindu children, for example, are the rare exception and not the rule.
SW-User
@puck61 sure love and enlightenment beat cult membership for sure :-)