Is teaching your child about your religion mental abuse?

[Banquo's Ghost]

I think that I might best express my response to this question with this reflection:

Were I to be hit by the proverbial bus, I would far rather my orphaned children were brought up by Don Corleone than Kadagar_AV.

[Askthepizzaguy]

I think that I might best express my response to this question with this reflection:

Were I to be hit by the proverbial bus, I would far rather my orphaned children were brought up by Don Corleone than Kadagar_AV.

To be fair, not all non-theists (such as myself) are as vehement in their opposition to religion.

Although your specific point is your own valid opinion, I would hope you'd not judge all non-theists the same way.

[PanzerJaeger]

Is this about religion or board censorship? Anyway, Kadagar - you have to build and support your points. Repeating the same one over and over simply won't do.

[Askthepizzaguy]

I'd be interested to know the approach taken by everyone. Not to hijack the thread, but would everyone be so kind as to indicate where they stand on this issue, included within their on-topic posts?

Example:

I'm non-theistic, non-religious. I favor allowing the child to learn about whatever religion they want, and also teaching my perspective, and not punishing them for disagreeing with me.

choices:

Non-religious
Religious
Unsure about religion,

and

Teach the child your views, punish if they disagree
Teach the child your views, don't punish independent thought
Never teach the child your views.

and if you have other options you'd like to present, go ahead. Personally I think that sharing your views but not forcing/coercing them to adhere to your views is the best method. I also think that being non-religious is better, too, but that's only my opinion.

[yesdachi]

I'd be interested to know the approach taken by everyone.

Happy to share my approach.

The wife and I are mildly religious (Christian) maybe a 4 on a 1-10, and we use big picture biblical references as an easy way to explain some things to our child. But for the most part we live by the golden rule, do onto others as you would have them do onto you, and leave the rest for our child to learn as it interests him. As he gets older and he asks more questions we answer to the best of our abilities, religious or otherwise.

The religious belief is strong, but our commitment to church is low, I believe there is a god and an afterlife but I don’t think Christianity has it all figured out, that’s the part that brings me down to a 4 but we figure that if we live a good life and follow the golden rule and the simple passage from the bible “the righteous will live by faith” society will accept us and heaven will open its doors wide when we arrive.

[Rhyfelwyr]

Non-religious
Religious
Unsure about religion,

and

Teach the child your views, punish if they disagree
Teach the child your views, don't punish independent thought
Never teach the child your views.

Bolded my choices. Although I do not believe that truly independent thought exists, and hasn't since the fall of man.

And what a splendid source to draw our morality from.

It is.

[rvg]

choices:

Non-religious
Religious
Unsure about religion,

and

Teach the child your views, punish if they disagree
Teach the child your views, don't punish independent thought
Never teach the child your views.

I'm a CEO (Christmas and Easter Only) Catholic. Do not care much about doctrines or customs. With that being said, I do seek God everywhere and in everything every day of my life, and I do find inspiration in contemporary saints like JP2 and Mother Theresa.

Teach the child your views, don't punish independent thought is right along my line of thought.

[Strike For The South]

I'm a CEO (Christmas and Easter Only) Catholic. Do not care much about doctrines or customs. With that being said, I do seek God everywhere and in everything every day of my life, and I do find inspiration in contemporary saints like JP2 and Mother Theresa.

Teach the child your views, don't punish independent thought is right along my line of thought.

agreed \. I would put myself as a 5 on christian scale. My wife will probably decide what we teach the kids b/c Im kinda meh.

[Husar]

Freedom of speech.

That the child may be more receptive is not the parents' fault, when people listen to McCain you don't try to silence him for indoctrinating empty people with nonsense either, do you?*

*that was a joke, I mean I tried

[Caius]

Freedom of speech.

Your answer is a bit ambiguous.