On Being Raised With Religion.

[chrisgel]

I've just read this article and although it's not a new idea it seems to have pressed the Mails "Outrage" button.

I was raised as a catholic and can remember, even at primary school, doubting what I was told.
Anyone have views on this?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2312813/Richard-Dawkins-Forcing-religion-children-child-abuse-claims-atheist-professor.html

[idiosyncrasy]

Birdie //Filling kids' heads with notions of hell-fire and eternal torture is an appalling idea//
I agree with you. This is where the religions and the Bible disagree.

[naomi24]

Andy-Hughes, very politic, but you’ll no doubt forgive me for retaining my opinion.

idiosyncrasy, //This is where the religions and the Bible disagree.//

Only if you suffer from a penchant to read selectively.

[andy-hughes]

naomi - of course, no problem.

[Ric.ror]

jomifl - I think I will leave you to not really care
I'm too busy celebrating a 20 league title to give a monkeys what you think
But - hey have a nice day - missing you already

[mikey4444]

Now now girls...play nicely !

[Ric.ror]

;-))

[jomifl]

Rio.ror, the question wasn't about what I think, it was about why you think what you think, but if you have difficulty expressing it in words well.. not to worry.

[Connemmara]

Sandyroe I agree with you - I am glad to have some faith - at times don't know what I would do without it. I think children should be brought up with a bit of christianity no matter what religion.

[mibn2cweus]

It's one thing to harbour arbitrary beliefs for the perceived benefit one derives from such beliefs, but for the sake of innocent children who have not yet been inflicted with the need to refute arbitrary religious claims, please, keep your delusions to yourself.

[chrisgel]

Conne ---- Brilliant!

[Anngel]

All babies are basically chimpanzees without all the hair. They rely on parenting to give them a moral compass (although this seems to be sadly lacking in some cases) so that they can take their place in civilised society. The Christian religions, taking away the "God delusion", teach that we should treat others as we would wish to be treated. Not in itself a bad thing. However, when linked in to the "burn in hell for each sin" concept which I encountered as a Catholic child, it is not necessarily ideal. There is a reason why religion has been referred to as the "opium of the masses". The idea that there is a deity who is in control of life, even if you are not, is strangely addictive. Unfortunately, it has the negative effect of allowing people to avoid taking responsibility for their actions. I have a good friend who, when faced with a problem, prays then allows her bible to fall open. She shuts her eyes and points. The answer to the problem is where her finger falls. Not sure how this works (especially with all the begetting which went on) but it helps to reassure her that there is a larger plan, of which she is only a part. Sorry this is such a huge post. I'm sure people will disagree with me. But if we were all the same life would be very dull indeed.

[Goodsoulette]

I was raised with one religious parent, my dad used to come to church and fall asleep. I have fond memories of church, I liked the vicar, I in fact would have considered him a friend. However, although I had to attend when my mum wanted us to go, the ideology was never forced upon me. I went through a phase in my life where i believed in God in a traditional sense and now I feel it is nonsense.
I have left my children to make up there own minds. My youngest attends a church school and I feel like they are indoctrinating him. He answers "because of God" for a lot of things. This enrages me, I had no choice but to send him there, it was the only school that had a space for him when we moved here.
Is it abuse? I can't bring myself to use such a strong term. Religion when used correctly just sets out a good moral code for people to follow. Its so open to abuse from nutters though that there lies its problem.

[naomi24]

Goodsoulette, //He answers "because of God" for a lot of things. This enrages me,//

That sort of thing enrages me too. In discussion about this with a Christian recently, I was asked if I wanted children to be taught about 'the universe, planets, etc' - as though this is teaching them!! It is child abuse.