Originally Posted by
bbshriver
Honestly, this confuses the heck out of me. By extension of your statement, we should outlaw parochial schools, Sunday school programs, children's church, and in fact the Roman Catholic church itself. If/when you are married Roman Catholic you have to promise to "the best of your ability" to raise your children in the church.
I'll simplify then; A religion that has no tolerance is just plain wrong.
The christian church is also responsible for covering up cases of child abuse inflicted by preists and brothers, some of which occured becaue of their access to kids at sunday school, so hypocritical also comes to mind.
In many Christian denominations, children are baptized/dedicated as infants, and basically all have child specific programs (Sunday school, youth group, children's church, etc)
So basically, they're just trying to remove the free choice from the child. The freedom to choose their own spiritual path, yes?!
Also, based on your comments I'm assuming you're "non-religious", but say the parents choose to go to church on Sunday morning... what do you propose they do with their child/children? hire a sitter? Certainly taking them to church with them must be "shoving it down their throat".
Your assumtion is wrong, I'm just not a believer in a 2000 year old story that has been re-translated and re-written numourous times and even been changed to suit the powers that be at the time (King James for example). I believe in offering choice. To teach one religion and say that it is the one and only right path is wrong. There are many paths that lead to the same place. The path that is right for you is not necessarily right for me. So teach kids about many religions and not only might they learn tolerance, they might also find the path that is right for them. I've had christianity and roman catholisism shoved down my throat as a child, so I'm speaking from personal experience.
If you were a Christian, or a 100% devotee to any religion, you would have to consider that according to your belief, a lack of spirituality in your children would be far worse in the long term than the physical needs you're talking about.
I am devoted to my belief 100%, but my belief is not necessarily right for my children, and no, I don't think a lack of spirituality will be harmful to them. If they choose atheism, then that is their belief...Their religion of choice.
If you believe whole-heartedly in Heaven and Hell, wouldn't you do everything you could to ensure your children end up in the former, and avoid the latter?
Heaven and Hell...Sorry I don't believe either exist in as much as you think of them existing. Too complex to go into here and not really the point of discussion
Keep in mind... most religions profess to be the ONLY way. If you believe Jesus Christ is the only way, then that belief is just as important for a child (moreso in fact) than feeding, housing, and clothing them.
Yes. A shame really too. Since feeding, clothing and housing them are far more important than relying on some ethereal force to provide for you is just plain silly...People forget the part that says "the lord helps those who help themselves"...Just another case of the contradiction that is the bible.
While I don't disagree with your assertation, in an age where I read 1 in 10 children are "sexually active" before their 13th birthday, how do you propose teaching these classes? That number is from US News about 9-10 years ago.
