[dattru]

Depends on what degree the religion is teached. In a fanatic way, then yes, it's abuse.

But if the parents teach a democratic and free way of thinking and bring in the "individual investigation of truth" then it's fine

[yeahmon123]

(Original post by garfeeled)
by that right many moderately literal interpretations of religion are child abuse.

those who believe in him are not condemned, but those who do not believe in im are condemned already john 3:16-18

but if they turn renegade seize them and slay them wherever you find them. quran 4:89

these are a few examples, to teach your children this is truly child abuse

and this may seem harsh but i believe that teaching creationism is in itself abusive.

To actually fully comprehend the description of some events in the Qur'an such as "slay them..." you would need to look into the history of the religion where the circumstances that Muhammed (saw) lived in wasn't perfect. There were lots of opponents from the pagans etc.. and people caused violence, not Muhammed (saw) and since the Qur'an was revealed during that time, there are verses in the Qur'an that were used as advice to the people at the time to be able to take action against those trying to harm them. It isn't in any way a gesture as to what Muslims should do now in order to be a good Muslim. I understand that teaching your child things like this at such an age may be too complicated for them to understand. I reckon, believing parents should teach their child religion in the positive way it is supposed to be taught i.e. the truth about God being forgiving and someone to ask for help and guidance to. Then with the child having being taught about religion so they seek comfort and peace by praying to God, when they are older, they will either further explore their religion and may for example, analyse verses of the Qur'an Sharif, to gain a wider understanding, which will strengthen their faith. Conversely, if the child decides to choose a different path, to disbelieve, then at least they won't leave the religion thinking God is cruel, but due to their own doubts. This way, it wouldn't have been child abuse to the kid but a way of upbringing the child abandoned as they grew older. It's an individual case to case thing, some children will have been taught about religion positively whilst others may have been hearing the words, "hell" and "fire" all their life.

[garfeeled]

(Original post by yeahmon123)
To actually fully comprehend the description of some events in the Qur'an such as "slay them..." you would need to look into the history of the religion where the circumstances that Muhammed (saw) lived in wasn't perfect. There were lots of opponents from the pagans etc.. and people caused violence, not Muhammed (saw) and since the Qur'an was revealed during that time, there are verses in the Qur'an that were used as advice to the people at the time to be able to take action against those trying to harm them. It isn't in any way a gesture as to what Muslims should do now in order to be a good Muslim. I understand that teaching your child things like this at such an age may be too complicated for them to understand. I reckon, believing parents should teach their child religion in the positive way it is supposed to be taught i.e. the truth about God being forgiving and someone to ask for help and guidance to. Then with the child having being taught about religion so they seek comfort and peace by praying to God, when they are older, they will either further explore their religion and may for example, analyse verses of the Qur'an Sharif, to gain a wider understanding, which will strengthen their faith. Conversely, if the child decides to choose a different path, to disbelieve, then at least they won't leave the religion thinking God is cruel, but due to their own doubts. This way, it wouldn't have been child abuse to the kid but a way of upbringing the child abandoned as they grew older. It's an individual case to case thing, some children will have been taught about religion positively whilst others may have been hearing the words, "hell" and "fire" all their life.

but surely its wrong to sow them only one religion such as islam in detail. my parents brought me up catholic and i had, until i was 10, a weekly meeting where religions where brought up and were criticised based on christianity. to show a child any religion in more detail or even slight bias is wrong and a religious person may find that very hard to do

[yeahmon123]

(Original post by garfeeled)
but surely its wrong to sow them only one religion such as islam in detail. my parents brought me up catholic and i had, until i was 10, a weekly meeting where religions where brought up and were criticised based on christianity. to show a child any religion in more detail or even slight bias is wrong and a religious person may find that very hard to do

Yeah I only used Islam as an example because I know more about it. But if the parents are of a certain religion, then surely they will show them that religion be it Islam or Christianity, other religions may be mentioned but it will only be a brief mention, not a detailed one. Yeah I don't think other religions should be criticised at such a young age to a child, because by listening to criticisms of other religions at such a young age will mean the child may grow up to automatically think badly of other religions and find it hard to accept the positive aspects of those religions. I don't think its wrong to show a religion in detail as long as you teach it the right way i.e. not scare them and teach them to also accept other religions. That way I don't think they will show bias, but simply be teaching their child in a way that encourages them to learn about other religions, and then when they are old enough and understand things better, the child may choose the faith they wish to follow.

[garfeeled]

(Original post by yeahmon123)
Yeah I only used Islam as an example because I know more about it. But if the parents are of a certain religion, then surely they will show them that religion be it Islam or Christianity, other religions may be mentioned but it will only be a brief mention, not a detailed one. Yeah I don't think other religions should be criticised at such a young age to a child, because by listening to criticisms of other religions at such a young age will mean the child may grow up to automatically think badly of other religions and find it hard to accept the positive aspects of those religions. I don't think its wrong to show a religion in detail as long as you teach it the right way i.e. not scare them and teach them to also accept other religions. That way I don't think they will show bias, but simply be teaching their child in a way that encourages them to learn about other religions, and then when they are old enough and understand things better, the child may choose the faith they wish to follow.

My point exactly any form of bias towards opinion is child abuse

[HermesTrismegistus]

(Original post by Hylean)
Too right! Teaching them that theft and murder and incest, etc. are wrong and punishable is child abuse too!

It's different. It is an undisputed fact that, at least relative to western culture, theft and murder and incest are wrong. We all agree children should be taught that. Religion on the other hand is considered a matter of personal belief.

This argument has been done to death in Religion. It's cheap and dirty and ignores much about identity formation, child psychology and the nature of humans and our values.

Please enlighten us as to what this argument (which argument btw?) is ignoring about identity formation, child psychology and the nature of humans and our values.

[Rocky-san]

(Original post by garfeeled)
My point exactly any form of bias towards opinion is child abuse

I don't understand how its child abuse. Unless the religion is being forced or imposed onto a child then that's a different case. But people treat religion as a culture that they naturally follow and expect their children to follow, so it's not exactly abuse. As far as bias goes, if you follow one religion then its likely you will be educated in that one religion. It's up to the individual child to question and explore that religion and decide for themselves in the future; this is supported by a diverse Britain and Religious Education at school. Bias is ok, if you are in favour of your religion, but not in the case where other religions are dispraised.

[garfeeled]

(Original post by Rocky-san)
I don't understand how its child abuse. Unless the religion is being forced or imposed onto a child then that's a different case. But people treat religion as a culture that they naturally follow and expect their children to follow, so it's not exactly abuse. As far as bias goes, if you follow one religion then its likely you will be educated in that one religion. It's up to the individual child to question and explore that religion and decide for themselves in the future; this is supported by a diverse Britain and Religious Education at school. Bias is ok, if you are in favour of your religion, but not in the case where other religions are dispraised.

surely bias in favour of one religion is the same as dispraise of all other relgions.

any bias is wrong hence why i thinks its child abuse. the child should not be expected to follow for me thats wrong always will be. If i have children i will not expect them to be atheist if was to make that asumtion bias will most likely follow.