Is religious indoctrination child abuse?

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke
'Influence' and 'coercion' are two different animals. (Even in the funny farm).

Only to the true believer.

Originally posted by Eladar
Only to the true believer.

To understand the difference between influence and coercion, you merely need to introduce the concept of 'force.'

Belief doesn't come into it. We can say with certainty, for example, that a good teacher should influence their pupils, not coerce them.

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke
To understand the difference between influence and coercion, you merely need to introduce the concept of 'force.'

Belief doesn't come into it. We can say with certainty, for example, that a good teacher should influence their pupils, not coerce them.

So if parents simply teach their children that the Bible is God's word and that truth is found in God through what is written in the Bible, a bit more complex than that but simplified for this topic, then in your view this is not coercion.

Originally posted by Eladar
So if parents simply teach their children that the Bible is God's word and that truth is found in God through what is written in the Bible, a bit more complex than that but simplified for this topic, then in your view this is not coercion.

I think it's fine for parents to share their beliefs with their children and explain/teach them why they believe what they believe, but said parents should also allow their children to make their own mind up when they come of age and are exposed to new ideas.

A parent may plant the seed, but shouldn't force the direction of growth.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
Are you suggesting only the psychologically abused have an opinion on psychological abuse?

Presumably only the physically abused have an opinion on physical abuse?

And only the dead have an opinion on murder?

Seems the sarcasm was lost on you.

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke
I think it's fine for parents to share their beliefs with their children and explain/teach them why they believe what they believe, but said parents should also allow their children to make their own mind up when they come of age and are exposed to new ideas.

A parent may plant the seed, but shouldn't force the direction of growth.

Who can stop another of deciding for oneself

Isn't planting a seed the same as indoctrination?

Originally posted by Eladar
Who can stop another of deciding for oneself

Isn't planting a seed the same as indoctrination?

No, I don't think so. Even as an atheist I can see why a Christian parent would want to make their child aware of God, to teach them what they believe. 'Indoctrination' would involve more than planting the seed, it would involve restricting the growth of the young sapling as it moved into maturity, not allowing it to branch out on its own. A good parent may influence their child, provide strong roots, but it shouldn't involve coercion.

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke
No, I don't think so. Even as an atheist I can see why a Christian parent would want to make their child aware of God, to teach them what they believe. 'Indoctrination' would involve more than planting the seed, it would involve restricting the growth of the young sapling as it moved into maturity, not allowing it to branch out on its own. A good parent may influence their child, provide strong roots, but it shouldn't involve coercion.

Funny how you believe a parent can determine what a child believes.

Originally posted by Eladar
Funny how you believe a parent can determine what a child believes.

You're just funny.

(And you're the one who can't separate influence from coercion).

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke
No, I don't think so. Even as an atheist I can see why a Christian parent would want to make their child aware of God, to teach them what they believe. 'Indoctrination' would involve more than planting the seed, it would involve restricting the growth of the young sapling as it moved into maturity, not allowing it to branch out on its own. A good parent may influence their child, provide strong roots, but it shouldn't involve coercion.

Restricting growth is that like training them to be adults not over grown children?

Originally posted by KellyJay
Restricting growth is that like training them to be adults not over grown children?

Parents should indeed help their children to become good adults, but I don't think restricting their growth is the best way to go about it.

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke
Parents should indeed help their children to become good adults, but I don't think restricting their growth is the best way to go about it.

I guess that depends on what is growing.

Originally posted by dj2becker
Seems the sarcasm was lost on you.

Everything you say could be sarcasm.
It beggars belief that you believe in most of the puerile nonsense you post.

Originally posted by Eladar
Funny how you believe a parent can determine what a child believes.

Either that or religious belief is genetic.

Originally posted by Eladar
How is a child supposed to achieve a state of not being influenced by others?

That's what I asked you!!

Do you want to go back and answer the question or are you throwing it back at me?

edit: I see Ghost and others have engaged you in this question already.
As to authority, moral or otherwise , the final decision has to come back to the individual. And that's the way you should raise kids. Giving away your authority can have disasterous consequences.