Quote:
Originally Posted by Burninator
I have not said that we should ask the children which deity (if any) they believe in, and then educate them thusly. Obviously the children are not in a place to make that decision. What I am saying is that we should put them in a school that doesn't advocate religious views either way. Then they can make up their mind when have the cognitive ability.
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But aren't they better able to make a decision if they are educated on this deity or deities they are supposed to accept or reject?
At that young age, the typical conclusion is that they are at public/catholic/christian/muslim/private school because their parents made them... just like bedtimes, food choices, etc. When they become older, with a more sophisicated cognitive mind, they begin to challenge all these things, or accept them. How many people in their teenage years agreed with everything their parents taught them?
I'd guess next to no one. Part of growing up is realizing your parents are (most likely) excellent people, but also are fallible. Children believe their parents are 10 feet tall and bulletproof... adolescence proves to them they aren't. Many when they approach their adulthood,get to know their parents on a more personal level, almost like friends, hearing about the stupid things they did, etc. Some of what they believe in, and what they taught you is wrong, or rather, does not fit who you are. How many of you have conservative parents, but find themselves firmly left of centre? I grew up in a conservative, European based household with moderate religious overtones. I turned out with much of that, but a lot I learned on my own through experience and knowledge. I find myself defending people's right to religion, and extol the virtues that a moderate religious upbringing can have... but I'm far from religious. My children will go to Catholic School, because I'm confident that my offspring will be at least as smart as me, and separate truth from fiction on their own. I think my children deserve to learn about the religion of their ancestors and make their own call.
In our catholic schools, we were taught that an open and free mind is the greatest gift... and that simply falling in line is a horrible way to live. Very often we were told that our beliefs have holes in them, and that one can either have faith in what we have, or challenge it and go own path.