by 
FallenMan
ANSWERS: 14
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Religion is nothing to do with Richard Dawkins. He has too much to say on a subject that he totally rejects. His basis for the comment is upon the subject of creation. He cannot accept it as a theory which devalues all scientific thinking. He then promotes a theory as absolute and delights in trying to make fools of people of different faith to his. Hypocrisy seems to be a word that applies!
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I agree with him. Convincing a child of a delusion causes damage, in my opinion.
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I think you distort his words somewhat. He says that forcing a child to be classified by their religion before they have had time to make up their own mind is child abuse.
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Dawkins is a bitter man with very little understanding of what religion (in particular Christianity) is really all about. There are many good rebuffs of his book. Come off it, Richard. Humans have been teaching their children something since time immemorial. It is part of our nature to pass on what we believe. If we didn't, we wouldn't exist. Even chimps do it...are they abusing their babies?
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He isn't saying that at all... He is saying that -indoctrinating- and -labelling- children is a form of child abuse. It doesn't matter whether it is true or not (though obviously he thinks it's not), his point is that people are labelling their children this or that religion, even though the child is NOT a member of that religion (99% of the time they know nothing about the doctrines, beliefs, or history - they just say yes because they are told to say yes). ***** One only has to ponder for a moment about the effects of labelling children to the religion of their parents to realise that it 'is' a bad thing to be doing (again, regardless of whether it's true or not). Children have been killed because of the label given to them by their parents... It still happens today... It's a silly practice that can only possibly have either no effects or negative effects.
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To brainwash an innocent mind is horrific, people wouldn't subject their children to perverted sexual acts as a matter of course so why make them adhere to a belief system over which they have no choice. Isn't it supposed to be a free world where people can make their own decisions and not be forced along a certain path?
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we finally reached the point in which most people think individual freedom of thought and speech is an important value. That does not mean that we are not influenced by the world around us. It does mean that we find it valuable to be accountable only for our own opinions, not for those of our parents, friends or people from our homeland. Labeling children as catholic, atheistic, racist or democratic is putting words in their mouths, suggesting that it is their opion which they are accountable for. Principally that's deeply wrong...
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I am not religious, but raising your child religious is not necessarily child abuse. Think of it like a baseball bat- if you teach your child to hit baseballs, that's normal. If you beat your kid with it, that's abuse. Teaching a kid to have faith in a deity is perfectly fine. Turning your child into a fearful mouse ("if I stay up an extra five minutes I'll go to hell!") or a Phelps kid clone is definitely abuse.
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poppycock
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This question confuses me. For one labeling our children or even baptising them into a religion before they are old enough, while it may be wrong in the eyes of some, is personal choice. So is circumcision, should i wait until my son is old enough to decide for himself whether or not he wants to be circumcised? I personally think our children should choose for themselves when they are old enough to understand but I also believe in teaching my children MY beliefs the same as I teach them about our background and just who they really are and where our ancestors come from....It is and always will be a part of who they are whether they decide to be a part of my religion or not.... It is NOT however abuse. How can it be? we teach our children about God and keep them safe it is our job. what they do with it when they grow up is their choice and always will be.
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nothing, because he didn't say that. he did say that labelling a child against his will as a believer in a particular religion is abuse, and indoctrinating him to believe injurious, immoral, and factually incorrect ideas is abuse. he also documented, as christofer hitchens did in his excellent book, "god is not great", the sordid history of child abuse of all kinds comitted in religion's name.
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I think religion is not child abuse, the teachings are to love and care. The ones that make it child abuse are the parents who yell and punish there kids and not allowing them to find the answers on there own. When a young child dies, i don't think they want to hear that there will be nothing after this you will die and that is that. Someone told my friend that who was an atheist, i don't hate atheist just that one. My friend ended up crying and scared wishing she could stay. Its not child abuse, thats what i believe.
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He should call President Obama and charge him with child abusers since he is raising his girls to be Christians.
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I never labeled my kids as anything other than my kids or offspring, but had i labeled them as one religion I once subscribed to they would have grown up known as "moonies" which would have been very harmful to their well being. I grew up where many baptists are and had i raised them catholic they would have likely been beaten up so is it child abuse? You betcha. Hang your mantra of whatever religion on a kid and they are set up for a whole life of disappointments. I am atheist, but let my kids decide for themselves. They went to churches (not with me) and chose for themselves what to believe. If you wish you cram religion down your kids throats then don't cry to anyone when your kids hate your very being.
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