Should religion be part of a childs upbringing?

[bodie]

They'll always find something to believe in...look at Scientology.

Death is the one big scary monster lurking in the corner that no one likes to talk about and no one escapes. People want to believe that some wonderous paradise awaits them and that their beer swilling foul mouth redneck neighbor that they can't stand won't be there because he isn't a "club" member.

I believe in the time of it's conception the bible served a purpose, when law and order was hard to find and life was so hard you were lucky to reach middle age it kept everyone from saying fuck it all...killing each other off and robbing each other blind. Because it promoted fear of the unknown, do wrong and face hell and damnation, do right and a better life awaits you.

But we have evolved though the years, we no longer fear life the way we did then, those "rules" unfortunately  didn't evolve...and in the process have become the catalyst for more bloodshed, hatred, and bigotry than anything else ever written.

  That is an excellent, thoughtful post, but you're totally going to hell!   

No, she isn't!  haven't you heard....you need to be nice to IQ cus she has wangled a job on the gate

[Icequeen]

  That is an excellent, thoughtful post, but you're totally going to hell!   

Yeah, I know. I'll bring the hot dogs. 

...mushrooms....and ....wine was the drink of choice back then, probably because the water wasn't too damn healthy. 

[Adam]

no child should be raised to believe in god

["couldbecousin"]

They'll always find something to believe in...look at Scientology.

Death is the one big scary monster lurking in the corner that no one likes to talk about and no one escapes. People want to believe that some wonderous paradise awaits them and that their beer swilling foul mouth redneck neighbor that they can't stand won't be there because he isn't a "club" member.

I believe in the time of it's conception the bible served a purpose, when law and order was hard to find and life was so hard you were lucky to reach middle age it kept everyone from saying fuck it all...killing each other off and robbing each other blind. Because it promoted fear of the unknown, do wrong and face hell and damnation, do right and a better life awaits you.

But we have evolved though the years, we no longer fear life the way we did then, those "rules" unfortunately  didn't evolve...and in the process have become the catalyst for more bloodshed, hatred, and bigotry than anything else ever written.

  That is an excellent, thoughtful post, but you're totally going to hell!   

No, she isn't!  haven't you heard....you need to be nice to IQ cus she has wangled a job on the gate

  My mother was a catechism teacher, so I get special privileges.   

[TheoK]

no child should be raised to believe in god

 

[bodie]

no child should be raised to believe in god

 

Yeah but also, then,  no child should be raised not to believe in god

I am an atheist but i won't be forcing it on the urchin.  I hope he will make an informed choice of his own someday,  based on facts he has gathered from as many sources as possible!

If he does chose some 'faith' i will just have to hide my bitter disappointment 

[TA]

Personally, i think not.

A more pressing question is will the child of atheist/agnostic parents be bullied in School more so than others?

[bodie]

Personally, i think not.

A more pressing question is will the child of atheist/agnostic parents be bullied in School more so than others?

Why would that be so?  I would have thought it would be the other way round?

[TA]

Personally, i think not.

A more pressing question is will the child of atheist/agnostic parents be bullied in School more so than others?

Why would that be so?  I would have thought it would be the other way round?

Religious bullying is more or less an American thing, it probably does not happen very often in more rational and secular parts of the World such as the UK.

[bodie]

Personally, i think not.

A more pressing question is will the child of atheist/agnostic parents be bullied in School more so than others?

Why would that be so?  I would have thought it would be the other way round?

Religious bullying is more or less an American thing, it probably does not happen very often in more rational and secular parts of the World such as the UK.

I see.  Interesting,  because here,  well on the edge of the city i live,  a kid would be more likely to be bullied if he were a 'jesus freak'

[TheoK]

Same here. Here you are looked upon as a bit weird if you believe in God.

[bodie]

Same here. Here you are looked upon as a bit weird if you believe in God.

Yes, and the 'jesus army' bus is often targeted by vandals

[TheoK]

 

[Adam]

wow. that's sad

over here that would only happen in the really fucked up places with sectarian problems like northern ireland. but then it's more between different religions

either way, no excuse to raise your kid to be religious. i'm sure when they're older they'll be relieved they weren't indoctrinated into some delusional fairytale world

[Icequeen]

Nine times out of 10 when a child says "I don't believe" they look at the parents and not the child so it's not an issue. You are the "nasty heathen" who hasn't taught your child any religious beliefs. 

My nephews however are Jehovah's...and I do know they put up with shit from the other kids. Sucks, because they're good "normal" kids, when mom isn't dragging them off to kingdom hall every day.

My son's present girlfriend has devout Christians for parents...the first time he went over there for dinner they sat down for prayer and he felt like a deer caught in the headlights.

He came home and said "what do I do?"...I asked "what did you do?".  He told me he just bowed his head, I told him that I normally do the same...mainly just out of respect for the people I'm sharing a meal with. He asked if he had to pray...I said only if you want to...he then asked have you ever prayed at a meal....to which I said maybe once or twice when I knew they were a really lousy cook and the evening wasn't going fast enough.