Quote Originally Posted by MickR View Post
Personnally I think that if the parents reasons for teaching against homosexuality is based on religious belief, then they shouldn't be allowed to teach that at all. I feel that religion is a personal choice and that jamming religion down the throats of impressionable youngsters is child abuse.
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.

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)

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".



Quote Originally Posted by MickR View Post
I would say that sensible attitudes to parenting play a part here.

Sleep for a child comes under protecting the child, in this case health (Junk food is covered here as well and the child would go hungry as we don't have any in the house ). It's not forcing any ideals on a child, it is just good sense that a well rested, properly fed child has the health and energy to go out and change the world everyday.
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.

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?


Quote Originally Posted by Sailor View Post
Parents should always keep in mind that their personal beliefs aren't always best for the child.
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.

Quote Originally Posted by MickR View Post
You have to be licenced to operate a vehicle, you have to be licenced to operate a 'Ham' radio, your dog has to be licenced, yet you don't need a licence to create life...I fail to understand why all those unimportant things require a licence and even a course of study, but to have and raise children only requires the limited mental capacity to be able to have sex. I for one would love to see compulsory parenting courses...I might have even found my initial steps into being a daddy that much easier if I had some formal lessons into what to do with regards to caring for a child. Mind you my first born seems well balanced at the moment...
Mick
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.