Did I say already that religion was child abuse?
By Thomas73
@Thomas73 (1467)
Switzerland
April 21, 2007 10:54am CST
Here's another example of what religion can do to children, when properly indoctrinated, and this turned my guts out. What this kid did "in the name of Allah" could have been done by any other kid, for any other preposterous god.
Just read on...
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Taleban uses boy to behead 'spy'
The Taleban in Afghanistan have used a boy of around 12 to behead a man they accused of spying for the US.
Parts of a video of the beheading were broadcast on the Dubai-based al-Arabiya TV network.
The Taleban said the dead man, Ghulam Nabi, had given the US information which led to an air strike in which a senior Taleban commander died.
The video footage shows Mr Nabi being blindfolded with a chequered scarf and making what is said to be a confession.
The boy, wearing a camouflage jacket and wielding a large knife, denounces him as a spy and then cuts off his head.
The father of Mr Nabi, who lives in Pakistan and who confirmed that his son was the man killed in the video, said his son had been a loyal member of the Taleban.
Senior Taleban commander Akhtar Mohammad Osmani was killed during a December air strike on his car in southern Afghanistan.
From:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6579487.stm
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"Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion."
-- American physicist Steven Weinberg.
15 people like this
19 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
21 Apr 07
It saddens me when children are used to carry out acts of violence. Of course, the child would be considered a man in some cultures. But, neither man nor child should commit take another human life.
3 people like this
@loralee (542)
• United States
21 Apr 07
His life is over before it barely had the chance to begin. And I agree with you Thomas. I can't imagine there being a worse traumatic experience. I suppose even true heroes (surgeons, firemen, etc) can go through trauma or feel stained if the lives they are setting out to save are not saved.
@revdauphinee (5703)
• United States
21 Apr 07
you should clarify this it is not "religion"per-se it is islam! when did a Christian ever do such a thing???Maybee back in the crusades we have much to answer for but this type of atrocity is going on todaYChristians have evolved Muslims have not!!!
@Thomas73 (1467)
• Switzerland
21 Apr 07
I do agree that Christianity has come a long way since the atrocities the Church was regularly performing in the past. It doesn't make it any better, though. This kid has committed an awful deed that will mark him for life. And what for? For some dubious entity he's been made to believe in.
The principle remains the same.
3 people like this
@revdauphinee (5703)
• United States
22 Apr 07
Latrivia then they are not true christians for even Jesus said not all who call him christ will be recognised
Matthew 7: 20. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21. "Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22. Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'
23. Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
@Latrivia (2878)
• United States
22 Apr 07
The hands of Christians are not unsullied by blood. Hate crimes committed by Christians still continue today. Mind you, none of them exist on this scale, but that doesn't excuse the fact that some Christians still hurt and kill others because of their religious beliefs.
1 person likes this
@The_Eagle_1 (1121)
• Australia
25 Apr 07
As so many times Thomas, it has nothing to do with God Allah or religion... it is only the depraved actions of sub standard mortals living out their sick and perverted fantasies!
1 person likes this
@The_Eagle_1 (1121)
• Australia
25 Apr 07
PS Religion is to ambiguous and two faced IN ALL faiths to be able to blame those sorts of things onto!
1 person likes this
@thatcrazyqbanita (3312)
• United States
21 Apr 07
The problem is fanaticism. I'm nto religious at all, but I do believe some people need faith because they are vulnerable and it gives them a sense of hope and happiness. But in any religion this can occur
2 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
21 Apr 07
That particular example is of abuse but that was an example of how extreme and fanatical the Muslim religion is. I really don't think one can categorize all religions by this one particular branch.
1 person likes this
@Thomas73 (1467)
• Switzerland
22 Apr 07
What I wanted to point out was the fact that you can make innocent people do the most horrible things given the proper indoctrination/brain-washing. And this is how I see religion, although I admit that this is an extreme case and most believers -- regardless of their religion -- would not do that. It just made me sick when I read it, and I wanted to share it with you all.
1 person likes this
@curvychick77 (1084)
• United States
21 Apr 07
Some people are religious freaks. It is very true for some. They have a facsination with religion and they start to believe in certain things, or that you are supposed to do certain things. It could also be a mental problem, but not everyone is a religious fanatic. This kid was probably brought up that way, which can be abuse, but with that being said, people can also make up their own mind.
2 people like this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
22 Apr 07
Again, this does not surprise me. Lots of things have been done in the name of religion. Any idea or though can become twisted and we much seek to understand since their customs and beliefes are very different than ours. Their governments are brainwashing etc their citizens and so acting out is common. I do not like this happening, it should never have happened. It is part of the todays fabric and one to be mourned. I don't read Steven Wienberg and am concerned for him too. Thanks for sharing this and opening dialog for this kind of event.
1 person likes this
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
• United States
22 Apr 07
I think it is teaching violence that is bad and covering up violent acts is what religion does best. They place blame on people who react out of defense and condemn the actions to keep society safe while allowing people to be harmed for being honest and trying to stop the violence.
It is violence that organized religion supports, and the reason that we have wars and hatred in our world.
So in a sense of what you write, I'm with you and yet, I'm not opposed to an individual belief in something greater to rest our souls in the peace and knowledge of the one we walk with hand in hand, the fabric of the Universe, different and yet the same.
I believe we can know GOD face to face...
Peace be with you,
GOD Bless,
Sincerely,
Gary
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
27 Apr 07
Religiously motivated or otherwise, the use of children in any form of warfare is despicable. Can you even imagine what kind of an adult this 12 year old boy is going to grow up to become?? If you recall Thomas73 we both participated in a topic covering good versus bad people some time ago (actually months ago). You brought up a very good example of how people can do different things based on their skill sets. The example you gave was where two men with shooting skills become an Olympic shooter and a Hit Man respectively.....
The example above that you provided is applicable to this case also. It is unbelievable how Religion can have such differing effects on people. One deeply Religious young man has dreams of becoming a Priest (or an Imam I think in case of Islam) and lives a peaceful existence somewhat; yet another with deep Religious leanings ends up cutting off someone's head?? Disgusting.
1 person likes this
@Darkhorse1311 (418)
• India
22 Apr 07
I think ur spot on here..i do think religion is a curse...i would just like for u o read the book ....The God Delusion by richard dawkins...u'll feel much better
@bluewings (3857)
•
22 Apr 07
I was watching that that news-piece just now.The father whose son has been beheaded by the talibans said addressing the talibans 'You people call yourself the defender of Islam,you are not.You are kaafirs'.The word kaafir in arabic means one who runs away from the truth,but over the period the meaning has been distorted and now it's used towards people who aren't true to islam.I just hope they would get a little wiser and realise that religions were introduced in the first place to bring people together and give them strength,not to fight over it and kill each other.
@Latrivia (2878)
• United States
22 Apr 07
I don't believe religion itself is inherently bad. It is people who make religion bad.
There are muslims who call for the extermination of non-muslims, and there are muslims who wish to be at peace with non-believers. There are Christians wish for the extermination of non-Christians, are there are some that don't.
Each religion has it's pros and cons. They can prove beneficial and harmful. A religion is a belief, and beliefs can be altered to be good or bad, depending on the person interpreting the belief.
That said, it is not the religion itself that is bad, it's the people. People like that, who use children to do terrible acts, use religion to justify their actions. However, people who follow that same religion may also condemn those people's actions based on the beliefs about their religion. Do you think every Muslim in the world condoned what those people made that child do? Hardly - many of them are ashamed of those actions. Some Muslims even disagree with Jihad.
Finally, I don't see how religion is child abuse. You're not harming your children by allowing them to be relgious. Mind you, I don't agree with forcing a child to conform to a religion or to religious concepts - but if a child chooses to be religious, there's nothing wrong with that.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
22 Apr 07
First of all I would like to say that everything that claims to be a religion is not, in fact, a religion. This is the reason we have cults and branches of religions. They are not true religions. Sadly, I heard about the incident you refer to on talk radio last night. Those people who coerced this child into this so-called religion did him a grievous wrong. They will have to stand in judgment one day. We cannot lump all of these fanatical movements into a group and call them religions. I was brought up in the church and don't feel that I was at all abused. As a matter of fact, my spirituality has gotten me through some of the worst times of my life. I don't think I would have been able to survive if I had not had a religious background and deep, abiding faith.
1 person likes this
@cancatis (406)
• Brazil
22 Apr 07
The main problem regarding ANY religion is when it gets to the point of "killing in the name of God". Taleban, Catholicism, Islam, some very different religions have stimulated that, over the years.
I wish religions said "you're not a good person if you kill someone".
1 person likes this
@funfreak2k2 (1734)
• India
25 Apr 07
using children for killing is not new. LTTE have been doing for several years in sri Lanka and all their camps have at least one thirds children.
the quotation of the americal physicist shows his opinion but i differ with it.
religion shows man how to live in dignity. the dignity he has has come to him from a religion long way down through his family and absorbed in to him. he could denounce God, but not the dignity bestowed by religion upon him, though unknowingly to him.
good people can do evil things even without religion. if a good man's wife is raped or child is murdered, he will kill the culprit.
but evil people cannot do good things, even by taking religion.
@Zmugzy (773)
•
27 Apr 07
I think most religions have been culpable of indoctrinating children and people throughout history. But this is also the case with politics and even scientific theories. Look at the way the words 'communism' and 'socialism' have been distorted by Western Capitalist governments and thought police. It amazes me how many so called Christians view communism as something evil when in fact the Christian and Communist ideals are virtully identical.
I obviously agree with your sentiments regarding the example you give. However, even though I am an atheist...
[cue for lots of religious nutters to give me a negative rating :-)]
... I can see the good side of religious belief. A belief in God can give you a sense of comfort and a sense of hope in times of stress and suffering. This was certainly the case when I used to believe in Jesus as the son of a God and before I realised he was just a kind of hippy magician hanging out with fishermen.
@shortgrl23 (172)
• Canada
22 Apr 07
ok I am all for believing in something.... However to say religion is the best thing "we" have in our lives is a bit far fetched. The only way to be a good person is to do just that BE a god person, do good things, and be good to others. This does not involve the teachings of "god" no it involves the teachings of kindergaten and even common sense. Religion is just one mans view of what we should believe and aspire to be. Free will is one of the greatest things that we as people have, not religion.
@missbossyboots (33)
• United States
25 Apr 07
WOW! Your opinions are your own. Christians would not kill him, let alone ask a CHILD to do this.
I don't know where you get your news bro...but you have some DEEP issues that I am not licensed to deal with.
@bowtieguy (5915)
• United States
16 Jul 07
If they would just become christians like the rest of us then there would be no problem.
