sure, at some point every person will come to a point where they will decide whether or not they truly believe in their faith. but when you are brought up with a certain set of beliefs, which were taught to you as fact and then you are faced with the choice between disappointing your family and many of the people around you as well as having to completely reevaluate everything in your world, it can be very difficult and intimidating. it seems unfair to do that to put your kids in that position.
Talk to an expert on child development about the power of parents to shape a child's mind, and then consider whether this choice at age 16 (or whenever) is truly free.
I agree,teaching kids your belief system is not brainwashing,but only if you teach them skepticisms,and allow them room to reach their own conclusions.
I guess people think that we shelter our kids.I have raised self thinkers and have made it clear that just because someone is a teacher doesn't mean that they know everything.I've also told them that if they have questions,search it out.Just for the record I was not raised in a christian home.
I understand what you're saying in this video, but as an atheist, I have to question your logic.. wouldn't you have to introduce the child to all religions, so they would get a fair representation, and a fair sampling of each to choose for themselves? A life spent in the church becomes routine, and to the child, becomes more easily accepted...no? Wouldn't it also be more encouraged, a parental pressuring to continue in the faith? Five stars for a well thought out video, and a sub :)
Thanks Pink. My children have been exposed to other religious beliefs, both in the school classroom and from people they have met, particularly my college sophomore son. Neither I, nor any pastor under whom we have sat, has ever been a "hellfire and brimstone" preacher. Although they know hell exists, it's not something held over their heads as a threat to behave. There is MUCH MUCH more to that than I can explain in a text comment though. :)
They "know" hell exists? Really? Can you prove that to them? Isn't the existence of hell one of those religious beliefs they should make a decision about when they get older?
If they "know" hell exists, it sounds to me like you have "held it over their heads."
I said they know it exists, meaning I have taught them it exists. "Holding it over their heads" in my book means constant threatening and/or badgering, which they have never received from anyone that I know of.
And yes, EVERYONE makes a decision about what they choose to believe eventually. Some choose to continue in the faith, some choose to cease believing.
You've taught them that it exists without any evidence that it indeed does. You're teaching them to hold unfounded beliefs, which is irrational.
Yeah, they will make a decision. I think the majority of people who have been taught Christian nonsense since they were children will have trouble escaping the needless guilt and fear that Christianity inculcates. It usually hangs over their heads for the rest of their lives.
And I don't believe it is a choice, I can't choose to believe in that which I find no basis for, that holds no logic no matter how desperately I tried.
But hey, I get you... and I do think that there is a strong difference between education or providing information and indoctrination which compels the child to accept it as fact.
Well, don't get me wrong. I did not expose my children to any other religious teachings purposefully. However, I would bet money they got exposed to them in school. I know I did (1981 HS grad). In fact, I remember distinctly being taught the Hindu or Buddhist "plan of salvation" in high school history class. I doubt any history teacher could teach the Christian plan of salvation in a public school classroom in the USA and get away with it.
There is a difference between telling them about what you think and what your religion is about and telling them that it is true and if they don't believe it they are headed to hell.
I would encourage parents to also tell their kids that other people believe differently and that that is Okay. If they don't get the message that it is okay to believe differently, or safe to believe differently... then they are choosing from fear not information.
Flying monkeys ARE real! I've seen them myself, on TV, so it MUST be true! :)
Thorzon 3 years ago
sure, at some point every person will come to a point where they will decide whether or not they truly believe in their faith. but when you are brought up with a certain set of beliefs, which were taught to you as fact and then you are faced with the choice between disappointing your family and many of the people around you as well as having to completely reevaluate everything in your world, it can be very difficult and intimidating. it seems unfair to do that to put your kids in that position.
loser078 3 years ago 2
Talk to an expert on child development about the power of parents to shape a child's mind, and then consider whether this choice at age 16 (or whenever) is truly free.
samsroomie 3 years ago
Well, just FYI, I don't think too highly of any child development "expert" who has raised fewer kids than I have (4). :)
Thorzon 3 years ago
Oh, so the it's the number of kids you raise that determines how good a parent you are?
Jeremyguru 3 years ago
Not necessarily, but any so-called expert who's never raised any kids doesn't automatically hold any weight with me just because they have a degree.
Thorzon 3 years ago
I'm sure that many if not the majority of child experts have kids.
There are certainly people out there who have phony "degrees." However, a well-rounded education will always "hold weight" with me.
Jeremyguru 3 years ago
I agree,teaching kids your belief system is not brainwashing,but only if you teach them skepticisms,and allow them room to reach their own conclusions.
worldlystone 3 years ago
I guess people think that we shelter our kids.I have raised self thinkers and have made it clear that just because someone is a teacher doesn't mean that they know everything.I've also told them that if they have questions,search it out.Just for the record I was not raised in a christian home.
noahsark1962 3 years ago
I understand what you're saying in this video, but as an atheist, I have to question your logic.. wouldn't you have to introduce the child to all religions, so they would get a fair representation, and a fair sampling of each to choose for themselves? A life spent in the church becomes routine, and to the child, becomes more easily accepted...no? Wouldn't it also be more encouraged, a parental pressuring to continue in the faith? Five stars for a well thought out video, and a sub :)
thinkmorepink 3 years ago
Thanks Pink. My children have been exposed to other religious beliefs, both in the school classroom and from people they have met, particularly my college sophomore son. Neither I, nor any pastor under whom we have sat, has ever been a "hellfire and brimstone" preacher. Although they know hell exists, it's not something held over their heads as a threat to behave. There is MUCH MUCH more to that than I can explain in a text comment though. :)
Thorzon 3 years ago
They "know" hell exists? Really? Can you prove that to them? Isn't the existence of hell one of those religious beliefs they should make a decision about when they get older?
If they "know" hell exists, it sounds to me like you have "held it over their heads."
Jeremyguru 3 years ago
I said they know it exists, meaning I have taught them it exists. "Holding it over their heads" in my book means constant threatening and/or badgering, which they have never received from anyone that I know of.
And yes, EVERYONE makes a decision about what they choose to believe eventually. Some choose to continue in the faith, some choose to cease believing.
Thorzon 3 years ago
You've taught them that it exists without any evidence that it indeed does. You're teaching them to hold unfounded beliefs, which is irrational.
Yeah, they will make a decision. I think the majority of people who have been taught Christian nonsense since they were children will have trouble escaping the needless guilt and fear that Christianity inculcates. It usually hangs over their heads for the rest of their lives.
Jeremyguru 3 years ago
Btw, how much pink could a Christian think, if a Christian could think pink? :)
Thorzon 3 years ago
And I don't believe it is a choice, I can't choose to believe in that which I find no basis for, that holds no logic no matter how desperately I tried.
But hey, I get you... and I do think that there is a strong difference between education or providing information and indoctrination which compels the child to accept it as fact.
thequestionmarkofGod 3 years ago
Well, don't get me wrong. I did not expose my children to any other religious teachings purposefully. However, I would bet money they got exposed to them in school. I know I did (1981 HS grad). In fact, I remember distinctly being taught the Hindu or Buddhist "plan of salvation" in high school history class. I doubt any history teacher could teach the Christian plan of salvation in a public school classroom in the USA and get away with it.
Thorzon 3 years ago
Also, don't get the idea that I WANT people who I would not even know, teaching about Christianity to my kids. That's my job as a parent.
Thorzon 3 years ago
There is a difference between telling them about what you think and what your religion is about and telling them that it is true and if they don't believe it they are headed to hell.
I would encourage parents to also tell their kids that other people believe differently and that that is Okay. If they don't get the message that it is okay to believe differently, or safe to believe differently... then they are choosing from fear not information.
thequestionmarkofGod 3 years ago