5 questions on Religion

Victoria - posted on 02/24/2013

Religion and children

1. How do you feel about religion?
--I believe it needs to be done away with. It is the downfall of our society, our intellect and our roots. It is not necessary, and in my opinion it has gotten mankind far away from the laws we once respected, and the responsibility that we now put in the hands of something that can be argued.

2. Is religion a must in your family?
--Absolutely not.

3. Will you or someone else teach a child about the bible?
--My grandmother has already started my daughter on what I have dubbed "Christian conditioning". I personally will not teach my child about the bible, but will allow them to explore it as I once did. It is a book with beautiful stories and some of the poetry is inspiring, and my children are allowed to take it as they want to.

4. Do you think it is o k for a school to teach religion to your child?
--Not unless ALL religions are covered. INCLUDING the non religious aspects, like atheism and Earth based spiritual paths like mine. Although I do believe a lot of people would have issues with religion being taught as a whole.

5. At what age do you think a child is old enough to understand about religion?
--I cannot answer that in entirety. Looking at my daughter, who is almost 5 and already spouting things she was taught by my grandmother, she does not actually understanding the weight or concept of what she repeats out of brainwashing, so I'd say probably 8 or 10. I CAN say that she has already started picking up on condemning and bullying and disrespecting others for their beliefs that she is taught by my grandmother as "wrong".

*NOTE: I am a young mother getting on my feet, and we live with my grandparents who are very supportive of me and a blessing. However, there are bad things about that - like not having complete control over my children and not raising them as I would like. As well as them being subjective to very harmful 'conditioning' as I was. I am working on getting myself and my children out of that situation, and work 40 hours a week, and go to school 10-18 hours a week.

Leigh - posted on 11/11/2012

I told my children that everyone is different with different ideas and behaviours and that all families are different. And all places are the same. And to be open to different people. And you will have your own personality and individual beliefs. It doesnt worry me of what is said to my child. It concerns me that if someone is in disagreement with someone, and intimidates, yells, or bullies their beliefs. It shows me that violence is brought into the picture. Religion is an academic subject. But to what extent is it given to a child. Sometimes its just the songs at assembly. Sometimes schools refer children to a religious place in the area, even if this is not the parents beliefs. I believe the main subjects should be taught, and music for e.g. in more detail is then optional, and religions should be too. A taste of every area doesnt bother me, but too much does. Then there are music teachers who say, every child should be taught more music. Most institutions, along with over-protection, over-control, are very selfish.

The problem is that everyone has different ideas about religion. And all branches of even one religion-as to the ministers have different ideas. Too much taking my children and myself over, and bullying, and Im out of the area, because all areas are different. God is not to be feared, so why should I have to fear a school.

Denikka - posted on 09/22/2012

I'd just like to preface this and say that I, perhaps, have a little bit of a different view from the rest of you here. It seems to be pretty much Christians or athiests, and more based off the Christian religion.

I'm pagan, so here's my view.



Religion and children



1. How do you feel about religion?

I feel that belief in something is important. I don't care if you believe in yourself, Krishna, Allah, God, or the Giant Spaghetti Monster, just believe in something.

Spirituality is a LOT different from religion. Religion, I could take or leave. Some of it's good, some of it's bad, and some of it's worse than others. But I firmly believe that if you are not spiritual, you're doing yourself a great disservice.

That doesn't mean you have to believe in God (under whatever name). It means, to me, that you seek to grow in all ways as a person. Reading a book is good for the mind, going for a walk is good for the body, and things like meditation, self inflection, wisdom instead of just knowledge, is good for the soul (no matter what you may call it-soul, consciousness, whatever)



2. Is religion a must in your family?

Religion, no. I don't care if anyone in my family can recite lines or rules out of a book, any book, I don't care if they've ever (or never) read a religious text or attended a service. It doesn't matter to me what they believe in, just as long as they believe in something and have that something close to their heart.



3. Will you or someone else teach a child about the bible?

As others have said, the bible has some very interesting bedtime stories. The Prince of Egypt is one of my favorite Disney movies. Yes, I will probably expose them to certain aspects of the bible. For entertainment value only though.



4. Do you think it is o k for a school to teach religion to your child?

If my child WANTS to be taught, then *I* will teach them myself or find a teacher for them. School, unless specifically designated as such (aka Catholic schools, etc) have NO right to interfere in the religious upbringing of any child.



5. At what age do you think a child is old enough to understand about religion?

I think small children understand a lot more about religion than a lot of adults do. They see things much more clearly and a lot more simply.

In Christianity, a child will say "God loves me" and that will be that.

An adult though, will say "God loves me, Jesus died for my sins, if I do X, Y, or Z, I'm going to Hell"

In a lot of ways, I think that children understand a lot more than adults do, which is why I strive so hard for MY beliefs to be that simple (and I'm more than happy to explain them to any who wish to ask-just PM me :) )



About religion, as many have said, even the oldest amongst us is barely capable of deciphering all the jibber jabber in all those books, let alone taking into account all the individual interpretations.

But spirituality, I think, is the playground of children. It's they who understand and us who are left wondering about it.

Danicia - posted on 09/22/2012

1. how i feel about religion:

I think it's a way to control the masses through fear of their eternal life in order to follow a code of conduct set in its teachings.



2. religion a must in my family:

no. not in the least.



3. Will someone teach child about the bible:

if my familyy would like to teach my daughter about he bible, they can go for it but personally i will not be teaching her that book.



4. ok for school to teach religion:

i think in high school a well rounded study of ALL religions WORLDWIDE is acceptable. having one religion only is very onesided and not beneficial to all the students. give them knowledge of all cultures and they'll go further.



5. at what age can a child understand religion?

depends on what you consider understanding. kids can memorize songs about and passages of religious texts by age 8. does that mean that they understand exactly what it is? honestly i think religion is something that adults are better to understand than children.

Alessia - posted on 01/24/2012

1. Really fascinating mythology and history for children, but as a modern society, religion is unnecessary and serves only to control and dumb-down society. Theocracy is dangerous to the progression of a civilization.



2. Only as bedtime stories and (when the children are older) a means of researching the histories and cultures of other people.



3. Hubby and I will. As a Medieval and Art Historian, I have lots of religious texts and iconography in the house. The Bible sits next to Greek and Roman Myths, Egyptian Myths, and other great stories on our bookshelf. We will teach our children that these stories are wonderful allegories and metaphors for life, but certainly not to be taken literally or as truth. When they are older, if they decide to believe in them, that's their perogative. But they will come to the decision on their own and not be forced into it by indoctrination.



4. Only if it is in a theology class and the subject is "world religions". Nowhere near a science class and never taught as "the truth".



5. Never. I'm 38 years old and, even after having studied religions extensively, I still don't understand how people can believe such nonsense. I mean, I do, but seriously, it's primitive mythology written by Bronze Age goat herders. With such advances in astrophysics and science, how could anyone believe that an imaginary sky fairy waved their magic wand and made the Universe.

Don't get me wrong. If you want to believe in such things, by all means, go for it. But don't expect everyone else to or try to inject these ideas into science classrooms. Faith has no place in science, which deals with facts, logic, reason and evidence.



Bottom line, I think religion is a wonderful teaching tool for exploring the past; from the beliefs of ancient cultures, to the literature, to the art and architecture. Religion has produced some of the most incredible wonders of the world (Great Pyramids, stunning cathedrals, works of art that take your breath away). It is also a wonderful teaching tool for children to learn about intolerance, cruelty, and bigotry.

Beth - posted on 01/20/2012

1. I'm not a fan of organized religion, though I would never hold someone's faith against them. I was raised in an evengelical household, and very much reject it as an adult.



2. No.



3. More than likely, someone else. If we're visiting my parents and he goes to Sunday School or something like that. I'm probably never going to bring it up, not because I don't think I should but because it's not likely to cross my mind.



4. Religion can be taught in private school. It has no place in public school.



5. That's hard to say. I think a lot of adults don't fully grasp it.

Maria - posted on 01/17/2012

1) I am a Christian and believe in God.

2) NO a religion is not a must. My husband does not go to church and says he doesnt believe in it. You cant force anyone to worship what you believe in.

3) I teach my child about bible stories the exciting ones like Noahs ark and Daniel in the lions den. He also goes to Sunday school where they colour pictures and have a story and games.

4) As long as you arnt against the religion the school is teaching then its ok for the school to teach it or send them to another school.

5) My son was 2 yrs old when I started taking him to church to the 10 o clock service to which everyone is welcome and every week I ask him whether he wants to go with me to church. Even though hes now 3 he has a choice but he always says he wants to go and when we walk past even when there is no one there he wants to go in. He enjoys being part of a wider family and playing with the other children.

He understands that God and Jesus love him and thats all he needs to understand.

Jenny - posted on 01/14/2012

It is refreshing to see a religious parent allowing their child to come to their own conclusions, even if they don't match their own. Thank you.

Michelle - posted on 01/14/2012

1. I do believe in God

2. No each family member believes what he or she wants

3. I will let them know I believe theres a God but some people dont believe

4. Teach..yes but dont push it on them or tell them they have to believe

5. I would wait till at least high school to get right into it

Dusty - posted on 01/01/2012

1. Strongly, to put it at best. I'm pretty deep into my religion.
2. No. If my children choose to not follow my religon, or to not have a religon at all, I will support them. I love them no matter what.
3. My husband & I both teach our children about the Bible. However, they are still young. Like I said in #2, if they ever choose to not follow our religion, I will still support them.
4. Only if they teach all religions, instead of just one. It is mainly the parent's responsiblity though.
5. It really depends on the child's maturity level.

Amanda - posted on 02/24/2011

I feel religion is a socially acceptable security blanket. I think it was invented to prevent fear of death. and feel secure that someone else was in control.

Religion is not encouraged in my family. i want my kids to discover their own beliefs but i hope they find their faith in themselves, not an imaginary friend.

I will address the bible as a story book with some good lessons, but not as anything real.

I think religion is a family choice and should not be taught as fact. I think it should be part of cultural studies or debate, but not as practise.

I dont think many adults understand religion. It is based on blind faith, and overlooking the unanswerable questions.

Rebecca - posted on 01/23/2011

1. How do you feel about religion?
i feel that it is taken out of context, and the reason for alot of bad things.
2. Is religion a must in your family?
no.
3. Will you or someone else teach a child about the bible?
i will. i want him to know that it is not something to live your life by. it is merely a book written by man,
4. Do you think it is o k for a school to teach religion to your child?
not at all. i want my son to have an unbias understanding, and i do not feel that someone who may be deeply religious can be unbias.
5. At what age do you think a child is old enough to understand about religion?
when they start to ask.

Emma - posted on 01/06/2011

1. How do you feel about religion?
2. Each to there own if it makes you sleep better at night and your not hurting anyone or ramming it down anyone else's thought. I'm unaffected

2. Is religion a must in your family?
No not at all

3. Will you or someone else teach a child about the bible?
I will teach my kids about all religions, I will not force my non belief on to my children. They can make those choices for themselves .

4. Do you think it is o k for a school to teach religion to your child?
If it is comparative world religion im all for it.

5. At what age do you think a child is old enough to understand about religion?
Im my opinion religion is made not to be understood thats why the need for blind faith.

Sandy - posted on 01/05/2011

1. How do you feel about religion?
-- I honestly think that society would be better off without it.

2. Is religion a must in your family?
-- Not my immediate family (my partner, our children and me), no, but for nearly every other member of my family, yes. It makes things a bit awkward at times.

3. Will you or someone else teach a child about the bible?
-- I treat the Bible just like any other storybook. There are good stories to be had in it, but I view it no differently than I would any of our other books on mythological characters and creatures.

4. Do you think it is o k for a school to teach religion to your child?
-- I would prefer that superstitions not be a part of a younger child's curriculum but an elective course on world religions in high school wouldn't be a bad idea. I would prefer that public schools stick to teaching secular topics and encourage students to embrace the scientific method rather than falling back on a "goddidit" response to anything not fully understood.

5. At what age do you think a child is old enough to understand about religion?
-- I like the previous response. Most adults don't understand the concepts involved so how can you expect a child to. For me, I think it's more important for children to learn how to be caring and compassionate young people eager to learn more about the world around them without bringing superstition into the mix.

Mabel - posted on 01/05/2011

I had originally put this on the surveys page but no one would answer the questions so I figured I would get some from the Atheist section.Thanks for answering Jenny.I also have a new blog if you want to check it out.

http://tonya-thompson.blogspot.com/?zx=4...

Jenny - posted on 01/04/2011

1. How do you feel about religion?



I feel it is detrimental to society, is used to control people and is holding us back intellectually. After the invention of money it is my pick for second worst man-made thing of all time.



2. Is religion a must in your family?

Absolutely not.



3. Will you or someone else teach a child about the bible?

Yes, I answer questions as they come and will encourage my kids to give all religious books at least a peruse.



4. Do you think it is o k for a school to teach religion to your child?

Only in a Comparative World Religions format. No preaching.



5. At what age do you think a child is old enough to understand about religion?



In what way? There are many adults who don't understand it.