some parents like/feel the need to brainwash their kids... with religion

soadnot I understand what you are saying and I agree...I think if a child is going to be taught the parents key religion they should also be taught about various other key religions in their area as well...for a number of reasons.. #1 so that they are aware and educated PROPERLY (meaning also being told that other religions are equally as valid)rather than goin to school or being out for a playdate or in public etc and possibly insulting someone becuase their faith is different #2 so that the child(ren) are already prepped with the basics for later yrs when the are old enough to decide for themselves what path if any, they want to choose..they'll have the basics and will be able to do further research in order to make a wise choice for themselves..rather than having to deprogram themselves THEN relearn etc I also feel that putting the fear of hell and the empty promise of heaven in order to get them to behave properly is basically a form of bad parenting.....You should teach your children to be good ppl and to behave becuase thats the proper way to be not because after you die you'll get a prezzie...Children should be raised to be kind and harmonious because thats what our world needs, because being kind and compassionate is what they would expect from others towards them and because being a positive person and playign a positive role in society will bring a happy, peaceful life...Not to mention I dont agree with lying to our children...it always comes back and bites you in the a$$ eventually and that in itself can not only be damaging in the end but also what is that teaching them??

It is up to parents to teach them all the things that they feel are important in life, including religion, if that is their sincere belief. I was raised being taught the Catholic religion, but it never "brainwashed" me because I have a brain of my own. Later in life I questioned everything about my faith because my parents also taught me critical thinking skills. I now have my own beliefs and am constantly searching out alternative religions and spiritual theories and concepts. What parents do for their kids is TEACH them what they know, not brainwash them. By your theory then, we are also "brainwashed" in school to believe in correct spelling, grammar, math, science etc. And maybe it is just a belief and not a fact of what is or is not correct, but we've got to learn something don't we? Or should all kids just grow up without any educational structure at all? That would make it rather difficult for them to learn practical living skills and get a job later in life don't you think?

Well before you assume that im a " bible thumper " Ill admit first off that yes I am a christian and yes I do go to church regulary but there is one thing in this whole topic that you posted that is completely wrong , its not about what you said about brain washing because yes I do beleive that some parents do take their religion a bit too far and children can suffer from that , but you said that kids are the most gulible peopl on earth ?? LOL as a mother of 4 ranging from the age of 10 -4 I can tell you for a fact that that is certainly not true in fact kids can see things that we cant in the church and some , like mine will call you out on it , but then there are the others that are told to shut their mouths , its really all about how they are raised in a religion , the first thing our kids are taught about god is how much he loves us and the gift of free will that he gave us , and I also teach my kids to question everything , even tho they do this naturally so usually when somithing new is brought up in the church we think about it and then look in the our family bible and see what god has to say aboput it , see we as a family follow gods laws and not mans , personally I beleive that religion is the ultimate pyramid scheme , there is always gonna be ppl beneith you or above you in the "man made" church that you wont ever be able to change , my children have seen some so called christians in our church and also ones that are pretty high up in our church that are not acting godly ya know gossiping and such and yea like i said before my kids will call you out on it if they see you doing that , I guess thats why they cringe when we walk in every sunday LOL but over all the teaching of god or any religion is really the responsiblity of the parent and not the church after all if my kid went to bible class and was told to go murder a doctor cause he gave abortions then yea i would have a problem with it , but thankfully that hasnt happened , the ppl I find most pulled into cult like religions are teens or young adults that are just looking for someon to acknowledge them and tell them how great they really are , you know the thing parents are spossed to do. so I guess the only thing I can say is if you dont want your kid "brainwashed" then get involved in their lives and let them know how glad you are that they are there in your life :) hope this sheds a different light on the sub ;) ~M~

But it gives kids morals and the parents believe they are saving their children. What if their religion is correct and they are all the better for it? They can find their own way as an adult, many people do, but while they are children, the parents teach them to behave the way they believe they should behave. The same things can be said of atheist parents teaching their kids in the ways of atheism, they are brainwashing them there, and taking away something from them.

Parents need to teach their children about the Lord Jesus Christ. Parents should want what is best for their children...for their future and for their salvation. It's very important to instill Christian values into their children's lives. Children need to know that the Lord created them and that He loves them so very much. They need to know that they can lean on the Lord in any situation...that He is always there no matter what. Children belong to God and God entrust His children to their parents. The Bible speaks of this. Jesus said, "Let the children come to Me." I'm so glad that my mom took me to church and helped me to learn about the Lord. I now am strong in my relationship with Him. I have a closer walk with Him and I love to serve and worship Him!

while i believe your opion is your own, rightfully to state, do you also consider training children in use of manners ie;: saying please and thankyou gets a reward, positive response from parents, to be a form of brainwashing? Also to be considered is the methods considered "accetable" by your own parents in teaching/training you to observe and make descions/come to conclusions. i asume that your parents used positive re-inforcement to imlpement changes in behaviour deemed un-accetable by themelves/society at large. for examble we do not encourage others to lie, cheat, steal or murder others. this can also be stated as coercion by society at large. just a few points to ponder...

ok lets all do it your way we will stop bainwashing our kids into thinking that if the rob people they will get caught and go to jail , and if the take a bath they will be clean. we have kids that need us to teach them. if everyone had your beleif we would all be little more than monkeys oh what their parents teach them things too so scratch that. children may be gullible but peoples believes change as they grow but dumb ideas stay dumb. i maen come on think we also brainwash them that 2+2=4 or you getting it yet. you teach your kids to be as not brainwashed as you want be ine will be brainwashed as you put it i call it learning. Please stop and think what you are saying is called teaching it doesnt just protane to religion.

No way it could be outlawed without outlawing religion. Parents, if they believe in their religion, do not want the most precious things in their lives (their children) damned for all eternity. So they will do what they believe is "best" for those children by trying to instill in them the same beliefs and set of values that the parent has. Teaching the other religions in school will not work 100%; because, many parents homeschool in order to prevent their children from being exposed to other beliefs while they are still young and "impressionable". Is this right or wrong; well, that all depends on what your religion tells you.

well thats wrong, why enforce your views on your child, he will think thats forced belief, let him find religion in his own way........just guide him, i know that he will surely find the same

I agree with you to an extent. When I first met my husband he was constantly regurgitating things his parents had hammered into his head. I don't think he even knew what they meant. Now he is more open-minded and free thinking. My parents allowed me to make my own decision about church and religion. (Much to the chagrin of my in-laws who are still as close-minded as ever.)

Outlawed? I don't think so. since when did the Christian doctrine teach the childrem to hurt someone? I think it depends on how the parents teach their kids about religion whether they teach their kids about fear or something but in the end as the child grows up, it is up to them to decide what is right and wrong, and whether they keep their religion , change it, or have no religion at all since they have the freedom to choose. Actually, brainwashing is a part of disciplining them but it doesn't mean that the child has no right to choose whatever he believes in. The child's education and self-realization doesn't stop in the house. It continues as the child faces the environment and interacts. In deed, parents brainwash their kids but it doesn't mean that the kid's brain doesn't work and react to what is coming in its thinking system and way of life.

Parents feel the need t brainwash their kids with religion.... and my parents tried to do it with me, but without success. Unfortunately my parents (above all my father) are Catholic in an exaggerate way and I fought much with them when I was young. Instead I let my son free to decide, he loves Christianity and I let him free to go to the church, but I never took him to church and I won't ever do it. My parents tried to brainwash me, but they failed. :-)

Yeah. It is brainwashing.I'll share my experiences with you, in a nutshell. had two mormon parents, who had 6 kids. Atthe age of 7, was telling everyone, Joseph smith was the true Prophet of God, but I wasn't sure really who the guy was. (Brainwashing technique) at 10, I was baptized. I was always told, if I lefttheir church, even at an early age mind you, I'd be cast into outer darkness, you know, with the murderers and stuff. at 14, went to live with foster parents, because my own parents were considered unfit. foster parents were Born again Christian. Became Born again Christian! brainwashing in that church as well! ok, so yeah, the brainwashing does go on. it isn'tpleasant by any means, to try to think of a different belief. Luckily, I have been around the block, and I have turned Agnostic, because as every religion will admit, they do not really know GOD.I have also been a Druid, and Wiccan. If you ask me my religion, I simply state Spiritualist. I try to keep an open mind to things, because a closed mind is a terrible thing. I have been cast out into outer darkness by my very ignorant siblings who believe the way to GOD is through the Mormon Church. However, the way I see it, I have truly been set free. Brainwashing is Definately a form of abuse. it makes you stupid!

Well I think that a parent shouldn't enforced his child... He could show him the way and talk with him about religion and stuff but not in enforced it's aint helping at all. Genereally I think that kids should learn something about their religion and believe. because man without believe is nothing.

The truth is many parents "brainwash" their kids about much more than religion. I think most parents try to do the best for their kids; it's just that everyone's ideas are different. Personally, I believe that you give your kids enough varied experiences that they can make educated choices for themselves. Now, of course, that means you have to live with the consequences. They may not choose what you would choose. But I believe in diversity.

i dont like anybody talk about religion, caste etc.....

It is quiet common that a family has the same religion, and it is very rare that two contradict religions exsiting in a family... It is ture that parent like to brain-wash their children. it is difficult to forbidden parents to do so, you mentioned law.. is that feasible? in my opinnion it will not work... becasue the daily effect kids receive from their parents is so strong... and you can't forbid parents to teach their kids new things and the things that parents right from parents' opinion, including religion

Where your argument fails is you are saying that the 'proof' that there is no God is 'fact'. In fact, there are holes, gaps, and unproven areas in the theory of evolution, and creation. You claim your beliefs are 'facts' but they aren't ... they are opinion as much as my beliefs. You chose to believe there is no god - you choose to 'gloss over' the areas where there really is no proof. That, in itself, is faith. We all make a choice along the way what we are going to have faith is real ... despite not being able to find solid facts about it all. I was raised by to forward thinking atheist parents. My father and I have long debates about my decision to become Christian. It was not based on brainwashing or blind faith. My eyes are wide open. I did my research, and when challenged by my father, I did more. I find as many holes in each side of the evolution argument, in each side of the creation/big bang argument. Not everyone who believes in God is brainwashed. As for parenting - I encourage my children to seek. I tell them what I believe to be true, but I also tell them they will decide for themselves one day.

As parents, its your duty to be the guide for your children.....if they are still minor and under your care, you have every right to tell them what to do and where to go coz they don't know yet what is good and what is bad.....and from there, children will slowly comprehend that parents only whats good for their kids......so slowly, they will follow the lead of their parents...but there are cases that children will rebel from their parents as they grew up to have their own decisions and way of thinking...with this behavior, and with proper age already, with sound decision - making capability, parents then will eventually let their children do their thing....because they know, they raised their children as best as they can...and its up already to them how will they live their lives...

if you found something so valuable the worth could not even be assesed ,wouldnt you want your children to benefit from its worth?????