Poll: Should Parents have the right to force there religion on there kids ?

[TheLaofKazi]

Evolution is a theory, not a religious belief.

Fixed. (I do believe in evolution but it's a stretch between fact and theory.)

Parents teach their children what they themselves believe. Once the child is old enough to choose what they actually believe, then they can decide for themselves, but up until then it's the duty of the parents to teach the kid. Religion is often blown out of proportion because the only things the news tells you are "This religious group hates homosexuals" or "This religious group is trying to ban evolution from schools". Religion, if done correctly, instills many good moral values in the people who follow it. Likewise atheism can have its upsides as well, I'm sure. Forcing it on them when they're old enough to decide for themselves isn't fair to the child, but not instilling anything leaves them unenriched, whether it's atheism or religion.

It really depends, I think, in how you teach your children your beliefs. I don't think instilling should really be the goal, but people should instead present as much about the world as possible to their children. That includes your beliefs and other people's beliefs.

 

[VanityGirl]

Maybe they should for THEIR religion on kids, but certainly not THERE religion.

 

[TelHybrid]

Religion is theoretical based on mythology.

Evolution is theoretical based on a few scientific consistencies.

Nobody will ever know the how and why of the Universe.

As for whether parents should have this right you speak of, personally I say "FUCK NO!", but then that is also hypocritical of me as I'm then forcing my views upon them. It's a bit of a double edged sword.

I think an efficient religious education, where each religion's basis is explained, as well as scientific theories. Forcing a belief slows down the progress of humanity because of repression. If everyone was religious, humanity would never progress in the pursuit of knowledge.

If everyone was atheist, society would lose a lot of its culture and diversity. Religion also gives many people a lot of hope in bad times, having the belief that there's a bigger plan in the works, and an almighty deity watching over them.

 

[Woodsey]

"FUCK NO!"

The children shouldn't have anything to do with the religion until they're older. Kids are too impressionable and will believe anything you tell them. Tell them early enough and traditionalise it and they'll carry on without questioning it for the rest of their lives.

Today I watched Richard Dawkins latest program on channel 4 about the issue of faith schools. Near the end he talked to a child psychologist who did a little test with some of the kids at a primary school (they were about 5/6).

She asked them some questions, and then gave them two responses to choose from (that they thought made more sense). One leaned on the purely logical side, the other leaned on the "everything is here for a reason" side. (You'll see what I mean).

One of the questions was (this isn't word for word): "There is a lake that is always very still. Why do you think the lake is so still?

a) Because there are no rivers running into it

b) So that it's easier for the animals to wash in "

3 of the 4 kids picked b), and there was another question where they all picked the religious-y answer.

It's quite interesting to see young children do that when deities were the default answer for everything when the human race was in it's infancy; and for a long time after that. And for some people still today.

So to reiterate my point, no they shouldn't. It may be a belief and that's fine, but it's not one based in fact and so it should be left until the child can come to their own conclusions.

This is not to say that you shouldn't expose them to religion. You should just expose them to everything equally, and also point out that the scientific answers are the ones based around things we have studied and we know.

To mimic Dawkins, religion is taken seriously because it's been around for a long time and has become tradition. Science continuously evolves and challenges itself - it actively searches to disprove it's own conclusions.

 

[W8NKA]

I dont belive that people's children shouldn't be forced to take the relgian the parents belive in. They should let their children decide if they want to or not.

 

[The Night Shade]

FUCK NO ! everybody needs to choose there personal belief

 

[BlumiereBleck]

I don't think the word is force and WRONG THREAD TYPE. There is a politics and religion panel.

 

[Axzarious]

I voted yes/no. I think it is every parents right to raise their child as they see fit, but should respect their child's different point of view should it arise in respectful, civil discourse.

This.

 

[SimuLord]

Adults have the right to make their own free choices about faith. They do not have the right to force their religious faith (or lack thereof) on their children. It ought to be regarded as child abuse.

 

[Kenko]

FUCK NO! Children should only be taught about religion, not be taught what religion to believe in. They should at age 18 be allowed to choose for themselves. Before that it should be punishable to force your beliefs on them. My parents gave me choice so to me anything else is just evil.

 

[Numb1lp]

I believe parents shouldn't force any kind of belief on a child, but should still be able to encourage it.

 

[Xpwn3ntial]

Here is my opinion of the parental guidance of their child's upbringing concerning religion.

They have every right to scold the child.
They have every right to yell at the child.
They have every right to ground the child.
They have every right to drag the child to the parents' place of worship every day applicable.
This does not mean they should

That is where their rights end.

They have no right to tell the child they are not allowed to be of a different religion or belief system.
They have no right to physically harm the child for it.
They have no right to force the child out on the street for it.
They have no right to disown the child for it.

Yes, the rights parents have can discourage the child, but my family did the same to me and I am still an atheist.

If I have passed over a right or lack thereof here, please tell me.

In any case, a parent should support their child's life choices.

 

[Fetzenfisch]

no no never. Let the kid think for itself and hopefully come to the conclusion thats all BS.

 

[zombiejoe]

Well, they have the right to go to church or temple or whatever with the child, but if the child decides that he/she dosen't like the religion, they should have a choice to change.

 

[Treblaine]

To outlaw the right for parents to teach kids their own religion is to outlaw religion itself.

I don't like religion because it is childish, so how is it REALLY that different from teaching kids that Jesus died for their sins or that if they are good then Santa will bring them presents at Christmas.

Well, is suppose it will all backfire when little Timmy gets radicalised into mass murder at the promise of endless presents from Santa in paradise if he ki-

... I'll stop right there.

I think parent have a right to teach their little kids about religion, hell they can tell them whatever they like. But when they are teenagers, parents have no right to stop their children being educated in ways that contradict their religious beliefs. That's where I draw the line, at school.

 

[Calico93]

well, yeah to a degree. they should be able to teach them what they believe and make them go to church etc.
i mean, if we stop religious people from teaching their kids about their faith then we'd have to stop atheist parents teaching their kids about evolution and how god doesn't exist.

Would we ? Really ?
Evolution is scientific fact/theory, so we should just stop teaching science ?
We cant say god doesn't exist as we cant prove that, and religious people cant prove that he does exists (through logical terms), but they should be able to make their own minds up (at a mature age)
When kids come home and say to their parents "the teacher told us today that we should love jesus more than you" then its getting a bit too far.

 

[Treblaine]

no no never. Let the kid think for itself and hopefully come to the conclusion thats all BS.

What if your kid "thinks for himself" after having a chat with some guy on the internet and starts attending Scientology-audit/bible-study/friday-mosque/playing-WoW... what then, eh?

WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW!!?!?

ahem, ignoring that irony. A person is born a blank slate but they will not stay that way. If you tell your kid to think for themselves, well snake oil salesmen known as evangelists are experts in exploiting people in search of answers and giving them the easy ones.

Remember, most people only know about Darwinian evolution because a scientist told them about it, not because they studied all the evidence and subject matter themselves to come to a definitive conclusion. They could just as easily believe some sliver-tongued preacher instead.

Don't think for a second it couldn't happen. You could be hearing this in your future:

"You just don't understand father, but I will pray for your"

Now that I have fucked up your day, I will move on.

 

[Nixzilla]

well im 17 and my dad still forces me to church

 

[Fetzenfisch]

no no never. Let the kid think for itself and hopefully come to the conclusion thats all BS.

Don't think for a second it couldn't happen. You could be hearing this in your future:

"You just don't understand father, but I will pray for your"

Now that I have fucked up your day, I will move on.

Thats the last words i will hear as a father, after that i wont have a kid anymore.

 

[Paksenarrion]

I say, yes. How else am I supposed to teach my children the Code of the Sith? Wait...oh...I thought you meant Force Religion...like...oh...