Is teaching kids religion brainwashing?
Yes
Side Score: 57
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No
Side Score: 45
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5
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There's a difference between preaching your religion to your children, and showing your children/teaching them what different religions are about. Secular humanists, Christians, Jews, Muslims, all use "brainwashing" techniques. Vague answers to broad questions that seem to have the answer for everything. Yes, teaching religion to children is brainwashing. Teaching children about different religions around the world is not. Side: Yes
(1) The Terminology The definition of brainwashing/indoctrination: (a) "teaching someone to accept doctrines uncritically." (Princeton WordNetWeb) (b) "to imbue with a usually partisan or sectarian opinion, point of view, or principle" (Merriam-Webster) The definition of education: (a) "the action or process of educating or of being educated; also : a stage of such a process" (Merriam-Webster) Indoctrination/brainwashing teaches a narrow dogma that cannot be questioned or critically considered. Education is an act that imbues those receiving education with a process for critical thinking and personal development. (2) The Argument Religion teaches kids that there is one true answer and that this must be accepted on pain of eternal damnation. This is not a form of instruction to help children to develop their own perspectives and opinions through critical reasoning. Side: Yes
4
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Well yes and no. It really depends on how you look at it. In a strictly religious home yes. They're brainwashed into being perfect little kids and to follow it and never question it till the day they die. Frankly i also believe it robs them of their freedom of religion. A baby cannot decide for itself what it believes. Its a baby. In fact, kids don't really reach the age of reason where a lot of key decisions are made until about 14-15 years old. This being said, how is it right to teach a kid Christianity, if when they reached 15 (had they'd not been "brainwashed") they would've decided to be Wiccan? Who are we to rob kids of this right? I strongly believe that all religion should be kept away from children until 15, where they are then told they are free to browse ALL religions, and free to choose and believe what they do. Because belief isn't a desire. You believe something just because you believe it, and it takes a lot to change that (even if it is for the better). Side: Yes
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Wow, what an excellent idea. This is something that far more parents should adopt. Doing otherwise is depriving kids of their right to choose their own religion, because it becomes harder to break away and choose for yourself after you've been indoctrinated as a child. Side: Yes
It really is a terrible thing to do to an innocent child. Religion, especially Christianity doesn't just deal with moral values, it also seeks to answer questions about nature. In my ridiculous, religious family when a kid asked where animals came from they were told a silly ass story about a garden. It wasn't until my teens that I discovered Darwin, survival of the fittest, and evolution. But unfortunately I spent a lot of years not thinking about these things because in my mind there was nothing to ponder, god had made everything less than 10,000 years ago. This is just one silly concept that I was exposed to. I remember my mom telling me that rainbows were a promise from god not to flood the earth again. There was no mention of light refracting off water molecules. I was told not to ever play with a Ouija board or ever to get involved in witchcraft though. I love my parents but my intellect did not appreciate this input of horseshit that I've had to unlearn later in life. It arrests learning and growth. If you love your children, accept that you do not know, and tell them the truth. You can say, "this is what I believe, but no one knows for sure." Anything further than that is selfish and deceptive. Side: Yes
1
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Not any more so than forcing your political or philosophical views on your children, but yes I think it is a form a brainwashing. I think it's more detrimental to brainwashing a child into becoming a Democrat or a Humanist because many religions teach that the wadges of not following that religion is eternal torture. In general I think telling someone they will burn forever in hell for being true to their nature is a form of psychological abuse; forcing this idea into the unformed mind of a child as a scare tactic in order to get them to believe what you believe is what I think makes religious brainwashing worse than other kinds. Even if someone was indoctrinated into being a Republican practically from birth, they still know they have the freedom to choose another political platform without incurring any physical or mental abuse (maybe a little verbal abuse from their family, but what can you do?); this doesn't hold true for religion, and it is this aspect of religion that shackles so many followers to dogma, and makes them both unwilling and unable to look at other points of view. They'll be tortured for it if they do. Side: Yes
Absolutely yes beyond a reasonable doubt that religion does indeed brainwash children, I can't even describe it in words so I'm going to post a 15 minute video on the subject. Side: Yes
4
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Why even teach children religion? I don't understand how it would benefit them. You'd basically be teaching them about what is most likely a non existent being. If you want to teach them morals and such, why not Humanism? It teaches ethics, justice, morality, reason, and logic. Teaching a child about religion isn't much different than teaching them that magical fairies in their fairytale book are real. Side: Yes
When religion is teaching children absolute lies in order to strengthen their case it is brainwashing, when we have 100% undoubted proof that something is the way it is based on scientific fact but a group of people choose to ignore them facts because those facts discredit their deity that his textbook propaganda. Side: Yes
1
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The way that we TYPICALLY teach kids religion is brainwashing. Typically, you have parents that are a certain religion and that what they indoctrinate their kids with. I think it's different to teach your kids ABOUT religion. I don't know of any parents that sit their kids down and say "okay, there's all kinds of religions in the world, choose one you'd like to follow." If you're parents are Catholic, you're Catholic (at least when you're a kid). Jewish parents, Jewish kids, etc. and shit. Side: Yes
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As much brainwashing as teaching your children any moral philosophical principles or values. Secular humanists, to me, are brainwashing their kids as much as Christians. But instead of having a base, like the bible, they merely say "because if you don't agree you're just a jerk." Side: No
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Bible is not a base! it can't be considered one. THe same way as "A song of ice and fire" can't. Secular humanists do not say don't do it otherwise you are a jerk. They say look if you do thins this and that consequences may appear for instance if you kiss a snake it is most probable that it will bite you. Or don't hurt others feelings, because they will cry and you will make them feel bad, Would you want to feel bad? No, of course no then why make others feel bad? Secular humanists GIVE REASONS why children should behave in some way. and it is not often that children actually listen and experience everything by themselves and come to a conclusion. While saying do do this because the bible says so is plain STUPID Side: Yes
1
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A couple of points with that... First and foremost, the secular humanist isn't using fear as a weapon. Let's face it. The reason why most so-called Christians subscribe to their belief system isn't because they hear harps playing in their heads or that they want to be better people. They pretend to believe because they've been schooled on hell. If they don't believe, they're looking at eternal damnation. When Christians start being honest with you, you learn that they see Christianity as something of a life insurance policy for the soul. It's the trump card that they pull out of the head on judgement day. When God tells them what a miserable fucking person they've been, they pull out their Christianity. See? I signed up. I'm good. Furthermore, the secular humanist isn't touting one set line. "You have to believe this or you're a bad person." Instead, the secular humanist would prefer that the individual feel free to apply reason and compassion to their lives. When are Christians going to wake up and realize that the biggest problem people have with religion is the fucking Christians? You have made this a miserable fucking place to live. Side: Yes
Children and people are given a choice to beleive something.You can teach them a religion,but its up to them if they beleive it.How is this pushing or brainwashing them? The choice is theres - and even if they are too young to understand,what about when they grow older? they can beleive what they will! Side: No
3
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True, they are not synonymous. However, you make a false assumption that religion is instruction rather than indoctrination. Look up your terminology. Indoctrination presents one truth as an absolute and unquestionable reality. Religion teaches that there is one truth and that questioning that or straying from it will result in eternal damnation. Side: Yes
3
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However, you make a false assumption that religion is instruction rather than indoctrination. Straw man. Religion is neither of these things, it is a system of adherence to the wishes of a deity. Look up your terminology OK, if you want the specific definitions of both indoctrination and religion. From Merriam Webster: Indoctrination: to instruct especially in fundamentals or rudiments Religion: the service and worship of God or the supernatural As you can see, they are separate terms. Religion is a system, indoctrination is a way of teaching it. Note: I took the first definition of both words. Indoctrination presents one truth as an absolute and unquestionable reality. No, indoctrination presents nothing, it is a way of teaching something which does present something. Religion teaches that there is one truth and that questioning that or straying from it will result in eternal damnation. That's incredibly inaccurate. You are thinking of the 3 great monotheisms, and are ignoring the majority of religions. Side: No
My view on this is kind of yes and no, most of the time I dont think it is and teaching kids about religion is a good thing especially if you teach them about the different religions and allow them to make their own decisions about it. Although when I was at school there was this guy who's dad was a Baptist Minister and as far as he was concerned he was the only one who should be teaching his son religion, his son was not allowed to go to the religous lessons with the rest of us and he was only taught about the Baptist version of religion which to me was an attempt at brainwashing. Side: No
No, not at all. I don't see how religion would be different than teaching your kids anything else. As long as you don't brutally force it down their throats, it isn't brainwashing. Kids naturally will ask questions and draw conclusions. I think its just part of parenting, why would parents withhold their most important beliefs from their children? That's silly! Side: No
I don't find it silly at all. What you propose is sick. I think parents that love their kids, should not lie to them. You teach your kids about germs because you KNOW that's how people get sick. Science can prove germs are real and make you sick and every sane person on the planet agrees that it is so. Then you teach them in the same fashion that they will be set on fire and burned for eternity if they do not follow certain rules. There is 0 scientific proof for such a place, the majority of the people on this planet do not agree that this is so, and yet this silly thing is presented along side other, real concepts. The lie is not telling them that this issue is subjective and no one really knows the answer. The selfish, deceptive part is not giving them a chance to choose to believe or not. Side: Yes
How can it? When I was younger I wasn't a very active church goer. My mum never pressured me into going She would say "It's your choice whether you want to go or not" I only went now and again, But to be honest never really listened to the sermon. I never used to be an active Christian until I turned 12ish :P When Sundays where rather boring so I went and listened and enjoyed it, Learned more on the passage and became an active Christian, No one pressured me into it. (I've always hated being pressured anyway.) I became a Christian on my grounds and on my terms. Many think it's impossible that There is a god that can do all things and close there mind from it but I believe That it's good to have an open mind and that if you don't have an open mind it's harder to accept things as they are. People are so tied to science nowadays that no one opens there mind to what they think is impossible but I also believe that nothing is impossible. I can accept that some science theory's could be true but it won't hinder my faith. Side: No
2
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That depends on what kind of teaching you're talking about. Religion is a huge part of history. If you wanna teach history.. you can't ignore the religion part. If you mean teaching as in.. teaching a certain religion as the absolute truth. THEN it is brainwashing. But I like learning about religion.. all religions. Side: No
Of course not. Wether you like it or not religion plays a very important part on all our lives! It has influenced mankind from the beginning, ans without it there would be no grand cathedrals, no great music, no renaissance! Though plenty of us are atheists (let me me clear, me too!) we need to know about religion! Like it says in the Bible, know your enemy :L Side: No
Religion can play an important role in our society, but that doesn't make it less indoctrinating. You cannot prove that without religion there would be no great accomplishments and marvels, because that world does not exist. At any rate, many of the greatest artists, inventors, and activists have been atheists, agnostics, or secular humanists. In contrast, religion has stifled and opposed scientific progress and discovery throughout human history. I think there is a difference between teaching religion and teaching about religion. Side: Yes
No, it isn't brainwashing. I do not think that teaching religion to your children is brainwashing if you allow them to have their own thoughts about religion as well. If you do not dismiss their thoughts and support them in their plans then there is no reason why should be accused of brainwashing your child at all. However the odd parent who decides that their child must have a grounding, and is stubborn enough to make them go to Church anyway could be considered brainwashing their child (especially if the child is dim). However, a receptive child should not be negatively influenced by this and hopefully they will just take the good bits. It can be brainwashing - but it doesn't have to be. Side: No
NO, teaching religion to kids is not brainwashing. When the kid goes to International Religions class and start learning about Christianity, Islam, buddhism, monotheism, Olympic gods it's not brainwashing I myself am an Atheist and I know a lot about the world religions i haven't been brainwashed in any way. But those kids who have to start learning those religions have to just LEARN them see all the alternatives differences, approach the question critically, with critical thinking and have to have their own formed personality. THough saying that jesus and his daddy are GOD they created you and if you don't do what he wants you're gonna get tortured. In other words MAKING WITH FORCE the child to believe in this or that God IS Brainwashing. While simply teaching them about those things is not Side: No
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Is going to school brainwashing? Is watching T.V. Brainwashing? By saying religion is brainwashing is such a rip on the complexity of humans and a minds ability to process and discern. The same way many children follow their parents religion, many choose not to proving that the mind always can take information and turn facts into a decision. Side: No
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Yes but when kids are "taught" before the reach an age of reason it is brainwashing. Were all brought up (hopefully) no matter what religion were are, to know that killing other humans is WRONG. No ifs, ans, or buts about it. Therefore if you ask someone when they're 20 if killing is wrong they say "yeah of course!". Its all in how were raised, what were constantly taught throughout the years and it becomes FACT in our minds. Its the same with religion. If you're tought Christianity through infancy, up through all your years of childhood, it will become FACT to you. Understand? You didnt choose anything, it was chosen FOR you and the program began at such a young age that you had no way of stopping it. Sure the people who may did so may say "well you're free to be any religion you wanna be" but you've been forcefed the religion you were raised in for so long it has become infallible FACT to you and you no longer SEEK your own path. Kids are robbed of the choice to believe what they would've chosen if they were not brainwashed into what they were at such a young age. I hope this made sense. Not to mention that most of these religions also use scare tactics like hell and the devil to keep people in the religion. You THINK you chose god, that you chose to believe. This is an illusion. Somewhere, somehow you were taught that god is real. And you just picked up what you already knew. See what i mean? Who knows, had you not been introduced to Christianity so early, (before the age of reason and decision making) you very well could've been athiest or even Satanist! Your brain may have just been wired to view and believe things far different than what you do, but the years of being taught god overrided this and you skipped that key decision. This isn't permanent but it is difficult to undo. It wasn't for me because i was not taught Christianity strictly by any means. It was barely a part of my life so my brain was able to make that key decision and now i am happily Wiccan (kinda, its complicated). What all people need to do now is THINK. Do you really BELIEVE in god? Or do you just think you do? Or do you even just go with the masses? Look at other things, believe what you naturally believe and you will be happier. Trust me Side: Yes
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