The morality of religious education

[Ncik666]

Finished the "God Delusion" a while ago and he talks quite a bit about this. Frankly I can't argue. To educate children in religious matters before they have the information to make an informed descision is on one side completely wrong. You wouldn't tell your kid that computers will swallow them whole if they look at porn, would you? But is it right to tell them that if they don't go to to a place with a lot of people who don't think about evidence they go to a burning pit of eternal suffering?

[ST88]

Finished the "God Delusion" a while ago and he talks quite a bit about this. Frankly I can't argue. To educate children in religious matters before they have the information to make an informed descision is on one side completely wrong. You wouldn't tell your kid that computers will swallow them whole if they look at porn, would you? But is it right to tell them that if they don't go to to a place with a lot of people who don't think about evidence they go to a burning pit of eternal suffering?

Just to be argumentative, is it wrong to lie to your children in any circumstance? Is it unethical, for example, to allow your children to believe in Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy? Or if they pick their little noses, their little finger will get bitten off by that hermit crab up there? (courtesy of Shel Silverstein)

At what point does stuff like this become objectionable?

[Confused]

Finished the "God Delusion" a while ago and he talks quite a bit about this. Frankly I can't argue. To educate children in religious matters before they have the information to make an informed descision is on one side completely wrong. You wouldn't tell your kid that computers will swallow them whole if they look at porn, would you? But is it right to tell them that if they don't go to to a place with a lot of people who don't think about evidence they go to a burning pit of eternal suffering?

First off, if a child dies, they are considered innocent to go to heaven. But the problem isn't that. It is whether or not it should be taught in school or taught before a child can comprehend what is being taught.

A depressed teenager who has been taught about God and heaven decides life isn't worth living. Do they truly understand the suicide is a sin (did we ever reach a consensus that confirms it is a sin). A child loses her mother, is told mommy is in heaven with God now so even though she is dead, she can still see you. The child misses her mother so much she want to go to heaven to be with her. She jumps out her window (lets say she is 7 years old since this was a case in Vegas many years ago when I lived there). Does she understand that once dead, she can't come back to see dad? Does she have the ability to use the information provided in sunday school to make rational decisions? Do teenagers? At what point do we consider a person old enough to fully comprehend the meaning of scripture and fully comprehend the meaning of accepting Christ into their lives?

Question for all X-Chrsitians who are now athiests or agnostics. At what age to you accept Christ? Did you really understand what you were accepting. At what age did you reject Him.

Children are impressionable and IMHO, until that are capable of comprehending the extent of what is being taught, it is dangerous to teach it. It is one thing to introduce it slowly, but to introduce concepts such as heaven, hell, confirmation, baptism, etc.. that are more complex than just saying there is a God and He loves you is setting up potential disasters as a result of it.

[Demetrius]

Hello Ncik666.

I think it is right for parents to transmit their convictions to children, but school should also let them know instruments for understanding things and making decisions alone. It is impossible, in my opinion, to raise a child without giving it at least a bit of your ideas. It is important, anyway, that, growing up, they get their instruments of thought through education in order to understand things properly.

[Ncik666]

My personal opinion is that children should be taught that to keep an open mind is the most important thing above all else. That should be their first education. Openmindedness and the effort put in to be able to research their opinion will lead them to believing in things that they want to.
I was raised in a Ukrainain orthodox family. From the start I was just expected to believe what my parents and grandparents believed. We went to church but I never went to Sunday school. By Grade 6 I had given up the notion of God and it went the way of Santa Claus.

[Confused]

My personal opinion is that children should be taught that to keep an open mind is the most important thing above all else. That should be their first education. Openmindedness and the effort put in to be able to research their opinion will lead them to believing in things that they want to.
I was raised in a Ukrainain orthodox family. From the start I was just expected to believe what my parents and grandparents believed. We went to church but I never went to Sunday school. By Grade 6 I had given up the notion of God and it went the way of Santa Claus.

I think that may be the most intelligent post in this area of discussion one has ever made.

[methylatedghosts]

My personal opinion is that children should be taught that to keep an open mind is the most important thing above all else. That should be their first education. Openmindedness and the effort put in to be able to research their opinion will lead them to believing in things that they want to.
I was raised in a Ukrainain orthodox family. From the start I was just expected to believe what my parents and grandparents believed. We went to church but I never went to Sunday school. By Grade 6 I had given up the notion of God and it went the way of Santa Claus.

Thats exactly what I would have said. Being taught to be open minded allows people to see more options before them than someone who is not. It is up to the child to decide on their beliefs and such whenever they feel it is right for them. But it is also up to the parents to be able to provide the answers to the questions they may ask about certain aspects of life and religion. The answers whouldn't be biased towards the parent's own particular views, however hard that is to do.

[Ncik666]

unfortunately it is hard for anyone not just religious people to be unbiased in their views. Thats why I expect the schools to be unbiased. Unfortunately there is pressure to make schools non-secular and there are religious schools already.

[Goat]

On the other hand, if it is a public school, that imposition is wrong

http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/03/20 ... index.html

SISTERS, Oregon (AP) -- During his eight days as a part-time high school biology teacher, Kris Helphinstine included Biblical references in material he provided to students and gave a PowerPoint presentation that made links between evolution, Nazi Germany and Planned Parenthood.

[Ncik666]

According to the article he was attempting to teach critical thinking. Unfortunately it seems he wasn't good at it. What would have worked for him is if he had picked something completely unbelievable (flying spaghetti monster etc.) and then presented it as truth. After the kids were so confused at a teacher telling them that he would be able to tell them why. It seems to me he was just a bit clumsy in his method.