Child abuse? - Page 2

Derbonic · 02-14-2008, 08:42 AM

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Originally Posted by Vinterland

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derbonic

Is teaching Faith in the form of Fact or Truth to children child abuse?

Ask me and I will elaborate.

Ok, is it child abuse?

I think it is. But what I meant when I said I would elaborate is that I would explain the question better if needed.

**Skepticologist** · 02-15-2008, 05:51 PM

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Originally Posted by greywolf90

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Originally Posted by Skepticologist

I'm not sure where you're heading with your question, but I can tell you I'm very concerned that my five grandchildren being raised by my fundamentalist christian son and his wife will reach adulthood without ever developing the ability to think critically.

Is that child abuse? Probably not, because they're physically well cared for and genuinely loved. But their world views encompass only 1 to 2 degrees of the 360 available.

I can't have a meaningful conversation with my son, and I hate to think the same will be true with my grandchildren.

just wait until your grandkids grow into teenagers. majority of kids rebel from their parents (i.e. your son).

I can only hope. My main problem with a "religious upbringing" is that in virtually all major religions it involves turning off logic and reason and signing on to some concept of the universe carte blanche. I wouldn't have near the level of concern that I do about my grandchildren if I just had the assurance they'd reach adulthood with at least the ability to think for themselves.

AB517 · 02-15-2008, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skepticologist

Quote:

Originally Posted by greywolf90

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skepticologist

I'm not sure where you're heading with your question, but I can tell you I'm very concerned that my five grandchildren being raised by my fundamentalist christian son and his wife will reach adulthood without ever developing the ability to think critically.

Is that child abuse? Probably not, because they're physically well cared for and genuinely loved. But their world views encompass only 1 to 2 degrees of the 360 available.

I can't have a meaningful conversation with my son, and I hate to think the same will be true with my grandchildren.

just wait until your grandkids grow into teenagers. majority of kids rebel from their parents (i.e. your son).

I can only hope. My main problem with a "religious upbringing" is that in virtually all major religions it involves turning off logic and reason and signing on to some concept of the universe carte blanche. I wouldn't have near the level of concern that I do about my grandchildren if I just had the assurance they'd reach adulthood with at least the ability to think for themselves.

Children learn how to communicate from their parents.

Lecter · 02-17-2008, 11:19 AM

I don't think so.

It's stupid and ridiculous, but abuse? Nah.

**WilliamBlue** · 02-17-2008, 07:17 PM

I don't know, telling someone(a kid especially) that they could be punished for just thinking something, sounds like (psychological)abuse to me and I would not wish that on any kid.

Geshtinnanna · 02-17-2008, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamBlue

I don't know, telling someone(a kid especially) that they could be punished for just thinking something, sounds like (psychological)abuse to me and I would not wish that on any kid.

Oh please. Parents do that regardless of religion.

**WilliamBlue** · 02-17-2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geshtinnanna

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamBlue

I don't know, telling someone(a kid especially) that they could be punished for just thinking something, sounds like (psychological)abuse to me and I would not wish that on any kid.

Oh please. Parents do that regardless of religion.

I do not remember my parents telling me that just to think something is a sin and I could be punished for it, now if I acted on it I was definitely in deep dodo. If they did tell me that, then it was because of their religious upbringing.

Geshtinnanna · 02-17-2008, 08:53 PM

"don't sit so near the tv. You'll go blind!"
"Don't stick your tongue out. Your face will freeze that way!"
"Better behave or Santa won't give you presents"
"Don't eat candy before dinner. It will ruin your appetite!"
"Don't cry. Big boys don't cry"
" Sit pretty and quiet. Good girls are silent"

Need I go on. Parents tell their kids all kinds of retarded crap.

AB517 · 02-18-2008, 04:21 PM

I agree with G on this.

It is not religions fault.
Religion is an easy cop out for egocentric people.

In fact since I got the Higher Power bug I have been teaching less hate to my children.

I tell them things like:

You’re the best “insert name” in the whole wide world.

I love all the parts of you.
The good NAME,
The sneaky NAME,
and even the smelly parts.
They get a kick out of the last one, they laugh so hard.

I also have been telling them that this is MOM’s and DAD’s first time at being a parent and we are trying our best but we will make mistakes too.

I learned all this from religous readings.

**WilliamBlue** · 02-18-2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geshtinnanna

"don't sit so near the tv. You'll go blind!"
"Don't stick your tongue out. Your face will freeze that way!"
"Better behave or Santa won't give you presents"
"Don't eat candy before dinner. It will ruin your appetite!"
"Don't cry. Big boys don't cry"
" Sit pretty and quiet. Good girls are silent"

Need I go on. Parents tell their kids all kinds of retarded crap.

I agree that these are crap, but these are not the kind of things I was talking about. My wife works with an evangelist who believes that if she even thinks something like "That guy is cute" that it is a sin and she could be punished for it and that is just the tip of the iceberg. She also has to avoid all instances of what might be construed as improper behavior such as going to lunch with a male coworker without an escort, as an example and this is an adult. In my opinion she is suffering from abuse.